Would Apple’s Announced Free Turn-by-Turn Nav Turn You On? from Bikes in the Fast Lane

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Would Apple’s Announced Free Turn-by-Turn Nav Turn You On?

June
2012

  File under Gadgets GPS
  Author: Mike Werner
  Location: Normandy, France

Apple

announced this week several new and updated products. As we've seen in the past, many of their products get used by motorcycle riders in one shape or another (link

).

However, many bikers use motorcycle specific GPS units (like the recently announced Garmin - link

), units that are made for bikes but come at a premium.

One of the announcements Apple made, is that their new iPhone operation system, iOS6, would be carrying a new map application (out goes Google Maps) coupled with free turn-by-turn navigation. This means that your iPhone will be able to guide you all the way to your destination, and will always be up-to-date with the latest maps, and all that for free.

As usual, there are advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of using an iPhone for GPS, with free software, is that it's one less device to carry and the maps will be up-to-date. Also, the cost is an enormous advantage; the new Garmin will set you back some $700, and then you've got to pay for your updated maps.

The disadvantage is that the iPhone is not made for motorcycles, ie, you'll not be able to manipulate it with your normal motorcycle gloves and when it rains, you're screwed (unless you place it in a rainproof box). I also suspect that the only way the app will work is when you are on-line through 3G or 4G GSM networks.

Both stand-alone GPS and iPhone can communicate using Bluetooth wireless technology, so that doesn't make any difference.

So the question is, would you ditch your GPS for the free Apple one, or continue using a motorcycle specific GPS? What you say? And what does this mean to navigation specific apps on the iPhone, like TomTom and Navigon?