Garmin today announced its first turn-by-turn navigation app for iPhone, StreetPilot.
“Providing consumers with mobile applications is yet another way they can experience the benefits of Garmin – be it our navigation expertise or bringing the capabilities of our niche market products to a smartphone. GPS is an extremely helpful tool, but we recognize it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. We decided to introduce a new line of smartphone applications so that we can give customers a quality Garmin experience in the format of their choosing,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales, in the press release.
The StreetPilot App: Designed specifically for iPhone, the StreetPilot App gives iPhone owners unlimited use of Garmin’s industry-leading navigation with traffic alerts. The intuitive interface greets users with two simple options: “Where to?” and “View Map.” Customers can easily look up addresses and services and get voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions that speak street names to their destination.
The StreetPilot App includes many of the same high-end features available on Garmin’s standalone automotive GPS devices like free traffic alerts that enable drivers to steer clear of traffic accidents, road closures and construction; lane assist with junction view that directs drivers to the preferred lane and displays realistic images of upcoming complex junctions; and speed limit indicators that display speed limits for most major roads. It is an off-board navigation system so that customers always have the advantage of the most up-to-date mapping information available.
The StreetPilot App also integrates with a driver’s iTunes music library so they can access and control their music while on the move; integrates with their address book so they can navigate directly from their contact list; and uses the multitasking ability of iOS 4 to allow them to take a phone call while the navigation continues to work in the background.
The StreetPilot App is available now for US$39.99. More info and download link via Apple’s iTunes App Store here.
Source: Garmin International Inc.
MacDailyNews Take: Well, now, it looks like somebody finally woke up. 
Welcome, Garmin!
Cool. Now I can drop that Google Maps shit for GPS guidance.
What I really want from them is the equivalent of their bike GPS computers…. The Edge ones that are still ridiculously overpriced for hardware. That would make me much more excited–and more willing to part with the $$ to buy it!
I’ve been using MotionX’s GPS Drive app, which cost me $1, and $25 a year for voice, and it’s been fantastic! But, I’d like to have traffic updates. If MotionX doesn’t come out with traffic updates soon, I may switch to this Garmin app, as my year of voice nav is up in February.
Next to wake up… Delorme! Hopefully.
Garmin has my money for a couple of GPS units I bought years ago when they announced they would be providing full Mac support, which turned out to be vaporware.
I will be staying loyal to Motion X, Drive GPS for now, at $3 it is a pretty good app and is getting better.
@ KenC
MotionX Drive GPS just added free digital voice turn by turn for free, if you can deal with the computer voice. I actually prefer a machine voice coming from a machine.
The price is right so they could be on for a winner. Either way it will make the market more competitive.
I’ll continue to use navigon navigator. It’s a bit quirky but performs okay.
It’s a really small download. Are the maps available as in-app purchases? Or are they streamed via internet connection?
If they’re streamed, foreigners on business trips or vacation can’t use them because of outrageous roaming internet charges…
Are the maps pre-loaded? Looks too small for that – and I don’t want to rely on data to draw my maps – it is too slow and I miss turns – In non data areas I still want to navigate – So the question is does it pre-load the maps?
I have Garmin GPS built in in my 2011 Rubicon already.
This is good for a lot of people though.
Spot on take, MDN.
Maps load as you need them over the iPhone’s data connection. That makes this app useless when I’m driving in the U.S. (or if Rogers’ network in Canada goes down) I’ll stick with Navigon.
I also have Navagon. Love it.
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I’ll stick with Tom Tom
Navigon stores all the maps in the phone? So, what if I go to canada and turn on airplane mode to avoid data and voice charges? I couldn’t find any documentation in the app store about this.
Use Magellan RoadMate – it has the maps, so you don’t need to rely on data for them.
Magellan RoadMate:
http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/23462/
It’s only a matter of time (probably June 2011) until Apple introduces their own turn-by-turn navigation app that comes free with every new iPhone. They did purchase a mapping company a year or so ago, and they haven’t introduced any major products which incorporate that company yet.
I’ll stick with TomTom. Their maps are loaded on the phone, not streamed as you go like Garmin.
What 16 year old Winblows programmer did their graphics?
Quality Garmin experience? Haha. These guys are the Microsoft of the GPS industry. Look how bad their UI is.
And with their corporate entity moved from the Cayman Islands to Switzerland, somehow I don’t trust them
@Jeff the Trader: I heard Steve Jobs and other Apple execs use TomTom and not Garmin. I wonder how this app made it thru the reviewal process
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I downloaded the new Garmin Street Pilot app onto my iPhone today. The computer voice sucks. I have not road tested it yet, but I will when I go skiing in areas where GPS is spotty at best.
Garmin is CRAP! I just drove 15,000km around Europe with a high end Garmin device. Watch out for the OLD maps they supply (a “gotcha” if you miss the short window to update – otherwise it’s very expensive). Always sending me down unmade roads, late turn notifications, TERRIBLE clumsy user interface. Really AWFUL support. Should have bought a TomTom. I cursed it all across Europe.
Where could you ski and there be no GPS – I think you meant cell service..
Odd that Garmin has no business direction….