Apple, Google Just Killed Portable GPS Devices
1–10 of 34 posts
Re: Apple, Google Just Killed Portable GPS Devices
#2Convergence happens when an available device is good enough to replace a purpose-built specialized device.
Re: Apple, Google Just Killed Portable GPS Devices
#3and nokia had killed the alarm clock in late 90s for me.
Re: Apple, Google Just Killed Portable GPS Devices
#4One big reason to keep using a dedicated GPS is offline support—as far as I know, both iOS and Android require an internet connection to calculate a route, so if you don't have cell service, you're out of luck. Since dedicated GPS devices have everything locally, they just do all that work without having to talk to a server.
Re: Apple, Google Just Killed Portable GPS Devices
#5Convergence happens when an available device is good enough to replace a purpose-built specialized device.
"Good enough" being a compound factor. The best common smartphone (e.g. GS III / iPhone 4S) still pale compared to a decent P&S, but the convenience of being able to share/upload/utilize those photos overcomes the imaging deficiency.
Just thought it was worth mentioning that. I love my T2i, but most of the time I leave it sidelined simply because it's such a PITA -- relative to a smartphone -- dealing with the photos.
Re: Apple, Google Just Killed Portable GPS Devices
#6One big reason to keep using a dedicated GPS is offline support—as far as I know, both iOS and Android require an internet connection to calculate a route, so if you don't have cell service, you're out of luck. Since dedicated GPS devices have everything locally, they just do all that work without having to talk to a server.
The upcoming Maps update for Android will have offline support so you can pre-cache a selected area.
http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/6/3068113/google-maps-offline...
Re: Apple, Google Just Killed Portable GPS Devices
#7One big reason to keep using a dedicated GPS is offline support—as far as I know, both iOS and Android require an internet connection to calculate a route, so if you don't have cell service, you're out of luck. Since dedicated GPS devices have everything locally, they just do all that work without having to talk to a server.
But that's coming soon for android: http://trutower.com/2012/06/06/google-maps-for-android-gets-...
Re: Apple, Google Just Killed Portable GPS Devices
#8I love the Navigation app on my Android, but I can use up my monthly data allotment in one day. Until I get unlimited data or Navigation stops overriding my low bandwidth settings, I'll continue to use my TomTom (terrible UI by comparison, but good enough directions).
Re: Apple, Google Just Killed Portable GPS Devices
#9One big reason to keep using a dedicated GPS is offline support—as far as I know, both iOS and Android require an internet connection to calculate a route, so if you don't have cell service, you're out of luck. Since dedicated GPS devices have everything locally, they just do all that work without having to talk to a server.
Don't quote me on this but I believe Google Maps on Android has an offline mode where you can select a desired area to be cached for offline use.
EDIT: it is currently a "Labs" feature but it is being officially released soon along with the 3D mapping.
Re: Apple, Google Just Killed Portable GPS Devices
#10I've only ever used a gps device in a rental car, and that hasn't changed since owning an android phone, so I imagine that as long as these gps manufacturers continue close ties with rental agencies they will continue to live on.