Alternative GPS Navigation Software
 

All,

I think we can all agree that the built in Navigation Software for OS2008 is terrible. As I understand it the nav kit for OS2007 is pretty much the same thing but worse. I recently stumbled across a really promising looking alternative called "Sygic". They make nav software similar to TomTom (for better or worse) but it runs on damn near everything (WinMobile, Symbian S60, ARM chips, xScale, Mips) They are rolling out a Linux and Blackberry version this month. The best part is that they have an SDK that will allow us to build custom modules.

So in summary, they already support n810 in theory (ARM/Linux). We just need to start some kind of email campaign to get them to offer a nIT specific version. Speaking for myself, it would be important to make sure they support the US but even if just the Europeans get it, I would consider that an improvement. This is not an open source solution but it is A solution. We have all been upset at the poor wayfinder offering, I say it is time we take some action and speak with our wallets.

I am including contact information for Sygic. Please email them and let them know we need a solution. Also, if you are so inclined, mention the desire to see US support.

support@sygic.com
sales@sygic.com
http://www.sygic.com/index.html

Thank you for your time, and please, if you agree: Participate.

Cheers,
James

Disclaimer. I am not affiliated with this company in any way. I wish I was though, so I could make them do this! Ha.

P.S. I have been a frequent reader of this forum but have never posted. I feel so strongly about this I created an account. Don't hold me low post count against me.

Re: Alternative GPS Navigation Software
 

I wouldn't say wayfinder is THAT terrible, but more options are always better.
Interestingly: on their homepage is the picture of the N810! So, maybe they release something at CES? Who will visit their booth? :D

Re: Alternative GPS Navigation Software
 

Actually it is not n810. There is no Nokia labels and buttons on left are different and something is added to right.

But I think picture might be photoshopped version of n810.

Re: Alternative GPS Navigation Software
 

@Nikem: You noticed that "debranded" n810 as well? I agree that is encouraging. I agree that wayfinder is usable, but I am moving away from a standalone GPS and it is pretty bad in comparison. Wayfinder will often suggest routes that are clearly incorrect (eg east vs west) and worst of all, it will not share the secret route it plans to send you on. You just have to trust her. Add that to the poor US support (for the same price!) and they loose me as a customer. MaemoMapper is, in my opinion, a better alternative but is not quite a full featured Navigation tool yet. Thanks for the input and the keen eye!!

Re: Alternative GPS Navigation Software
 

On closer inspection you are right, it is a photoshopped N810. At least they didn't clone the LED. :)

Re: Alternative GPS Navigation Software
 

@james415
Maybe I'm not so underwhelmed by the wayfinder software beacause A) I'm located in Europe so the included maps could be better here and B) I hadn't had a standalone navi before so I'm not spoiled.

Re: Alternative GPS Navigation Software
 

I concur... having spent the $249 for the Navicore kit almost a year ago, I have seen little or no improvement in it's anemic user experience...

I am particularly disappointed with how little of the tablets resources are used by Wayfinder. A good example is the screen real estate.


Wayfinder fills the screen with opaque indicators to the point where the actual viewable navigation map is smaller than a 3.5" TomTom or Garmin display.

This new product seems to do things much better >> http://www.sygic.com/oem/index.html and the code for the program and GUI looks like the same as OnCourse/iGo's Navigator.

As far as this is good if the original product cost is under $50.

I for one am tired of paying premium $$'s as an early adopter only to find that I actually just paid them to test Beta products..

Re: Alternative GPS Navigation Software
 

A while ago I wrote a mapping application for the Zaurus for the USA using census databases and converting them into a very compact form (every line and polygon in just over 1Mb for all 50 states - I didn't get to text or POIs):

http://homepage.mac.com/tz1/.Public/zaurus/zmapper.tgz

(I've done a few bugfixes since, but haven't uploaded it, and there are new census databases so some URLs need changing).

Actually it is Qt(3), so will work on anything which has that installed - Linux, Mac (X - I need a real xor function to do the polygons), Cygwin. I've seen Qt for the Nokia, and was planning to give it a try.

I could port it to GTK. It isn't complete, but will show roads, lakes, rivers, cities, parks, etc. - every one in the census database and updates very fast and uses a very compact format. It saves the track and I used to wardrive with circles indicating the access points kismet for zaurus found. These are vector maps and no further downloads are required after the specific county is converted.

I may not have included the COPYING file, but it is under GPLv3.

Anyone want to help?

Re: Alternative GPS Navigation Software
 

I tend to agree with that. I think a lot of products are released before they are ready, with no thought to the early adopters who get screwed. The worst part is when navicore/wayfinder does not even use the opportunity to improve. There is no way I am spending $200 or whatever for wayfinder when it does not work well enough to use.

I forgot the best part. I wrote to wayfinder support and asked them why the standard cell phone product costs $99 for a lifetime license and the n810 product is $130 for a 3 year license. They said it is because the n810 has preinstalled maps. When I mentioned that preinstalled maps would lower their bandwidth costs (making the n810 version cheaper for them to support) they never returned my call. Basically, we take on the extra cost with a more expensive device and storage and they charge us even more. I further asked why Americans pay the same price even though all of the extras (traffic, cameras) are disabled. They told me that was my fault for living here. I actually have the email telling me to move to europe if I want my money's worth.

Awsome.

Re: Alternative GPS Navigation Software
 

I think you guys are being a bit hard on Wayfinder.

I have used TomTom as well, and Though there are features on TomTom I like, there are others on Wayfinder I like as well. All in all, I find it usable and will probably subscribe.

There is of course, room for improvement. like 3D showing streets (though 2D is probably more useful to me)

Can't speak for what they offer in the US, but in the UK and most of Europe, in the price, they include 3 years of updates including:
Maps for quite a range of countries inclueing Most of Europe
Camera location updates
Traffic updates including traffic based routing

This last one for me, make the price sound quite attractive.

I'll probably be subscribing, and sending a list of enhancement requests.

Zuber