Before you reach for your wallet ready to fork out for a Satnav , its worth considering investing in an app for your Apple [1] smartphone that will also provide you with turn-by-turn navigation.
Let you smartphone help you get where you want to go
There's plenty of apps available that utilise the Apple iPhone's GPS to pinpoint the user's location and then offer audio and visual navigation on the handset for a fraction of the cost. Some of them are even free, so we've rounded up our five favourite free Sat nav iPhone apps.
Skobbler UK/Ireland Lite
Skobbler [2] utilises OpenStreetMap (OSM) [3] , a Wikipedia of free maps that's updated by around 250,000 users. As well as offering turn-by turn visual and audio navigation, the app also encourages users to make corrections and update the maps, to make "outdated and poorly detailed maps a thing of the past". The only snag is that this free version of Skobbler is supported by adverts.
NavFree GPS UK & ROI
This free app [4] offers turn-by-turn navigation through audio and on-screen instructions, along with offline map access and live search from Microsoft Bing [5] and Google [6] . Like Skobbler, the maps are provided by OpenStreetMap.org.
GlobalNavigator
Originally launched for Windows Phone, a version of Global Navigator [7] has now been made available for iPhone users. Utilising Google Maps, the app provides turn-by-turn audio and visual navigation that covers 193 countries and 20 different languages.
Cycle Maps
Utilising information from OpenCycleMaps, the app helps cyclists map their perfect route using cycle paths and low-intensity roads, rather than traditional car routes provided by other satnav aps. Cycle Maps also uses a handset's GPS to track the user's location and update them on their progress.
Heads Up Navigation
When you're a pedestrian, it can be difficult to work out which way you're facing on a map. However, this app [8] utilises your iPhone's camera to provide a real-time view of your surroundings and then overlaying floating 3D labels, so you can follow directions easily.
Links
- ^ Apple (www.apple.com)
- ^ Skobbler (itunes.apple.com)
- ^ OpenStreetMap (OSM) (www.openstreetmap.org)
- ^ free app (itunes.apple.com)
- ^ Microsoft Bing (www.bing.com)
- ^ Google (www.google.co.uk)
- ^ Global Navigator (itunes.apple.com)
- ^ app (itunes.apple.com)
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