Alright, everyone, settle down. I know the Google Maps Navigation stuff is pretty amazing, but let’s not write off the traditional GPS makers just yet. They’re not going anywhere for a while. Your parents and friends will see to that.
Hopefully the sudden market loss that companies like Garmin and TomTom saw yesterday will wake the companies up and see that they are doing it wrong. They are in the habit of producing 78 different versions of the same GPS. Each model steps you up $20 and adds another feature. It’s a ridiculous business plan and totally opposite what successful companies are doing.
But it’s true. Google dropped a bombshell on GPS makers yesterday with it’s free navigation tool that trumps almost anything currently available. The Android 2.0 app is about as robust as you can get thanks to the always-connected Android OS and almighty Google. You can simply say “Where is the Best Buy in Flint, MI” and it will take you there. All this is free from the “Don’t Be Evil” company, Google.
TomTom has a cell phone navigation solution too. Except theirs costs $100 for the app and another $120 for the car kit and the whole thing isn’t nearly as powerful as Google’s offering. But there are others as well: Navigon sells an app for $100, TeleNav has one for $10 per month, and there are other no-name programs out there for around the same price. Those apps are all dead in the water as soon as Google ports the Navigation app to other platforms.
The standalone GPS will be fine though. It should survive the cell phone GPS onslaught because it generally caterers to a different market. Do you really think your parents could operate an Android phone, let alone a GPS app within it? Some might be able to, but first they will have to be convinced to buy the phone and expensive data service to go along with it.
There is a gigantic market of folks outside the tech/nerd world that have absolutely no interest in smartphones and the high monthly bills that come along with them. These same people might just pick up a GPS at Walmart though and figure out the rudimentary functions over the course of a few months.
Standalone GPS units also have screen size in their favor. Have you actually ever used a cell phone-size screen for navigation while it’s mounted on your dash or windshield? It sucks. I’ve found the screen size to be way too small. Just think about your Dad’s cataract-filled eyes. How the heck is he suppose to follow a route on a 3.5-inch screen? As the recently announced Nintendo DSi LL clearly shows, an extra inch can make a huge difference.
What will likely happen is that the Google app will finish off the already small market for Internet connected GPS units and top-tier models. These are the units that carry a monthly service fee in return for access to basic functions like gas prices, custom routes, and traffic info. This is where the two markets of smartphone users and GPS owners overlap. But this market was already dying due to the rise of the other GPS apps, and Google Maps Navigation will put it out for good.
GPS manufacturers still need to get with the program and cut down their product line. Garmin is notorious for producing a dozen models, each with a slightly different feature set. How about making just three aimed at three distinct price points: $99, $249, and $500. It simply doesn’t make sense to offer so many different models with minimal price and spec differences.
But here’s the thing. Don’t shed a tear for GPS makers. They will be fine as long as they recognize that the market is changing and adapt. If they don’t, it’s their own damn fault.
I agree with the overall post, but I think these companies are in for more than they realize.
Case in point… Mio is launching an Android based navigation device that also connects to the internet. What does that spell? Google Maps Navigation.
Link… http://www.androidguys.com/2009/10/28/mio-to-launch-4-7-inch-internet-and-navigation-device-with-android/
It’s only a matter of time before new navigation companies spawn from the abyss and begin taking advantage of Google’s amazing, free, powerhouse of a GPS software.
How hard is for some Taiwanese or Chinese OEM/ODM to come along and create a standalone GPS unit based on Android/Google Navigation?
1. Design suitable hardware (ruggedized for certain markets).
2. Load Android
3. License from Google the Google Navigation app and the geo data to preload onto the device.
4. Make sure there is an USB port so that updated geo data can be sideloaded.
5. Create a website that end users can buy/download up-to-date geo data which they copy onto a USB memory stick.
With the volume of the Android handsets, it would make sense to take advantage the economy of scale to base off the hardware design off a standard Android reference phone. All you have to do is to disable the radio unit, add a bigger screen and ruggedize it ;-) Of course you can also disable the installation of new Android apps a la B&N eReader.
Cheap non phone android/winmo are need of the hour. Say like ipod touch. phone is costly, give users something cheap. And you cant gift a phone to anybody.
So we’ve just given up on the idea that basic grammar and punctuation count for anything when it comes to online journalism. I suppose it doesn’t matter given the state of the education system.
So we’ve just given up on the idea that basic politeness and sincerity count for anything when it comes to online commenting. I suppose it doesn’t matter given the state of the parenting today.
Seriously. Newspapers and magazines have full-time copy editors who go through everything before an article is finalized; less errors are to be expected, and yet they’re still present. Here, it’s just us, writing article after article in double-quick time. It’s the nature of the beast.
This is why we made gooseGrade.com. To keep grammar, spelling, etc out of comments and allow authors to have copy editors.
Currently TC has 30 orphaned edits that people have submitted via our bookmarklet. All they have to do is claim them!
fewer errors?
Whoops…
“with it’s free navigation tool ” suggests a basic incompetence independent of deadlines.
Go home, dad, you’re drunk.
You guys rag on the New York Times all the time for poor reporting, but you cant even get elementary school spelling and punctuation right. Even Google’s unofficial slogan, one of the most famous in the industry, is incorrect in this article. I’m embarrassed for you.
Poor reporting != copy editing. When we get our building in midtown I’ll put you in charge of the copy team.
You cant either.
Really, Biggs? You’re going to get catty with commenters? I just came across this site today and it looks professional enough that the writers wouldn’t behave like children in the comments section.
Anyone criticizing the quality of the writing is correct. You just can’t expect to be taken seriously as a website if you can’t write. And the grownups here will agree that when someone complains about the writing, you either ignore them in comments, or fix the errors and thank them in the comments for pointing it out.
effing crybaby
+1
Die.
I don’t think Google Maps is gonna kill the standalone GPS. Never!
Nobody wants to fix their eyes on a tiny screen, especially when it comes to driving. No to mention you are likely to drain your mobile phone’s battery and if luck is not on your side, you might be lost in the middle of nowhere with no more battery juice.
Built in GPS navigation system by car manufacturer will eventually kill all those stand alone GPS. Just like the CD/DVD/MP3 Audio system for cars. When it comes bundled with the car, who needs a standalone GPS or Audio player?
Calvin,
I do agree with this but most of the built-in navigation systems aren’t as robust as the standalone. Another point is that Lexus has a safety feature (which doesn’t make sense) but you can’t change directions while driving – even if a passenger (not the driver) wants to change it. These are reason I have seen people not go with the built-in and then later get a standalone.
.. For only $1,500?
You know, I was saying the same thing. $1500 for Navigation, what are they smoking? But then, for my wife’s sake, I went with it on our 2008 Honda Accord. It was one of the better decision I’ve ever made. The screen is huge, the system is fast and perfectly integrated with the other car systems.
3.7 is hardly a tiny screen and is larger then the Magellan GPS device I have used for the past 2 years.
Hello… it’s just a matter of time before both standalone and built in car navigation systems will run the Android OS and use the free navigation functionality.
+1
Yep… and I wonder if that suggests a way for Google to monetize the service in other ways besides advertising. I know the OS is and the maps app are free, but couldn’t Google find a way to charge car companies for access to the app from in-dash systems?
$300+ for a new maps is my biggest gripe about my indash GPS. it def is superior to a pda based gps due to offline/not needing a data connection
but it would be nice to get realtime data (again something that i think XM/Sirius need to shift their business model around; offering in car data via satellite instead of music).
again, paying for maps is the biggest annoyance of mine regarding indash.
> You’re parents and friends will see to that.
If you write for a well known website you should know how to spell.
I believe it is Web site.
But seriosuly, not knowing the difference between your and you’re is 3rd grade level English. Nobody who publishes anything should make a mistake like that.
Actually I hate to say it, but you are right. That is a pretty embarrassing error…
someone call the wambulance….there wurr errorrss in some 1’s writing
I agree with all the points made about. Also question is that will the Google Navigation app require to be online to use it or will it download all the maps on the device? If so that is a HUGE plus for standalone GPS devices that do not require to be online for use.
I haven’t touched one of these yet, but one review mentioned that it would ‘pre-cache’ your route once you pulled it down.
I suspect there might be problems with mid-route changes — for example, lookups for the nearest McDonalds — but the general route stuff should be fine.
Some of the advanced features will also be hit or miss. I know my house isn’t on street view. And if the signal fades out in some areas that’ll clearly affect traffic updates.
The caching concept would definitely help but as you stated wouldn’t solve the issue. Hopefully they at least do this.
While there are parts of the planet without wireless network access, there will always be a need for a standalone GPS device with pre-loaded data. Standalone devices don’t need a network subscription either.
It did however did just brutally murder the Garmin nuviFone. I mean, it was dying before but Google just decided to chop off the arms and legs even after it was shot in the heart.
@Steve – Agreed: Grammar, punctuation and spelling are an integral part of articulate communication.
@Arrington – You should fine your writers $1 for each error in their blog posts. Dual benefit: Raises the quality of your offering and pleases your readers.
The next release of Google map adding the route/map caching features, then it will really put the GPS devices maker into more trouble.
Apple will reject it if they make an iphone app out of it, if not apple AT&T because the AT&T navigator is horrible.
@Deleon – It’s the nature of the beast if the standard is low. Why not raise the standard and try to be the best, instead of settling for mediocrity and making an excuse for it?
We look forward to reading your impeccably written blog.
Err… He makes a valid point. Instead of brushing it off with a smug comment, acknowledge the problem and work to fix it. This automatic dismissal of criticism is, at the very least, immature.
OMG! Who ARE U? Go teach ingliș AT school and leave us. I don’t give a ****. I just read the story.
Now almost all cars have some sort of GPS built in. But something like Garmin that made one million of the same devices is again a wrong business model.
I hope i’ll see some netbooks with GPS now. :)
Btw. My English sucks. I know. So don’t bother telling me that.
Agreed; me thinks the grammar police are out in force and looking to pick a nit because they are sad, sad individuals whom have nothing better to do. What a waste. And how completely shallow.
Who. We are sad individuals who have nothing better to do.
The TomTom example of ‘what is wrong with standalone gps manufacturers’ is absolutely priceless.
For me, it was indeed all wrong. Was I absolutely thrilled when TomTom announced last summer their plans for an App and a cradle? Yes.
Did I buy it? NO.
$100 for the iPhone App. PLUS $120 for the fucking cradle?
Well, so long, Tom Tom! Never gotta chance to buy your product. Guess the price was WRONG.
I’m in my 50’s. I’m an old guy.
I traveled about 12,000 miles around the US last year by car.
Not one paper map. Used ATT/Navigator 1x on Blackberry, it took me down a dead end. I’ve canceled it.
Used Google Maps on Blackberry for entire trip. Found wonderful side roads and explored small towns I’d never have ventured into without it.
Now, I’m first in line to get a Droid. Get a standalone GPS? They sold those back in the 90’s, right?
Well said!
In my opinion (and this goes for a lot of other markets), they’re simply taking advantage of it. The price points, device releases, updates, all just an easy money sink they created for the masses and now someone is finally stepping up.
Google Maps Navigation, as I understand it, only works in the U.S., so the rest of the world is still wide open, for the current GPS device vendors.
Android phones (google maps) will be launched 1st quarter 2010 in Germany
About the only time I use my GPS is when I travel in Europe, and there is no way I’ll be paying the roaming data fees. So standard Garmin for this situation is just fine. Although after having played with the iPhone for the last month I’ve had it, I do wish Garmin would get a better touch screen and interface..
I assume many experts made a similar prediction regarding the widespread adoption of email.
“Do you really think your parents could operate a [Desktop computer], let alone an [email client] app within it?”
Yeah, personal navigation may die, but standalone GPS units will never die. There will always be a need for GPS functionality when you don’t have access to the internet or don’t want it tied to your regular phone.
For example, hiking, climbing, military, boating etc. Realistically, you’re not gonna be climbing Everest with your iPhone. Dedicated GPS units tend to be much more rugged. Nor would you want to waste precious battery life on the GPS feature instead of saving it up for an important (possibly life-saving) phone call.
There’s more to the GPS devices market than casual use, or driving directions.
No kidding. Garmin has units that will drive your boat for you. Not all navigation is done on streets.
Sounds like you’re underestimating dads. All the parents I know are hooked on iphones. It’s not a big leap to go for another cool smartphone that comes with a built in GPS.
Not to mention the sophisticated locating system that google indexing offers the gps.
They’re inches away from an AR-native phone OS.
While I still think the whole netbook thing is crap, they are knocking the ball out of the park with the smartphone upgrades. I’m definitely going Android for my next phone – I just have to wait out my contract.
You mean “Don’t be evil.” There’s a difference.
I sometimes have to wait 5-10 minutes for my standalone GPS to lock on to a signal. In that time, I pull out my myTouch, open Google Maps, and find my route before the GPS is even ready for me to type in an address. I stopped using it altogether and have been using Google Maps, sans turn-by-turn. Adding turn-by-turn to it is a welcome feature and I can tell you that I won’t be sad to leave the standalone behind.
Did anyone take into account the fact that in the U.S. the government is trying to craft legislation to pressure the states into banning texting/emailing/etc. while driving? They are also looking at imposing limitations on phone apps such as GPS navigation. That could put a damper on the whole phone GPS thing and give the standalone units another level-up.
Dang! I think I just lost my entire investment.
A product called waze: http://www.waze.com is also a free gps solution with turn by turn directions for iphone, android, and symbian platforms.
I’m surprised by the defensive reaction for simply encouraging you guys to strive to do better and for articulating that sloppy grammar/punctuation/spelling does in fact annoy some of your CUSTOMERS. You’re quick to criticize and offer ideas to everyone else’s business except your own? Huh, ok…
No, we love constructive criticism. Matt had a bad run in this story and he gets creamed. We do 40+ stories a day, most of them written in English. We all have each others backs when it comes to editing and publishing this thing and sometimes we go off track. Read his story, not his typos.
I agree with Mr. John Biggs here.
The Google navigation app needs a permanent connection to the internet and in most cases in places where the 3G network coverage is not too good…
@roadtrip: I second that sentiment. I just finished a road trip, and with nothing more than EDGE/3G on a G1 we were able to plan and update a great trip. the standalone GPS was outdated BEFORE google navigation was announced. Now Garmin/TomTom are going to start getting creative if they want to survive.
and a note for the grammar/spelling nazi’s leaving comments: YOU GUYS ARE MISSING THE WHOLE POINT OF COMMUNICATION!! It’s not about the words you use, it’s about the meaning you get across. so if you understood this article, it was a total success. although I should note, I personally would be embarrassed if someone caught me writing with such mistakes as have been pointed out. That’s just me tho.
This probably (certainly) isn’t the place to get into this, but I just can’t let slide your assertion about the point of communication. The whole point of the words you use is to convey the meaning you intend. To try to separate the two is just ridiculous.
The reason we have standardized grammar and spelling is to ease the burden of understanding the meaning of a message. Using improper grammar and poor spelling is a form of rudeness; It’s showing a lack of respect for your reader. You’re demanding that your reader do additional work to parse your meaning that would have been avoided if you had followed accepted conventions.
It’s like your friend who always forgets their wallet and asks you to pay for their lunch. You still get to eat, but you have to bear a burden you shouldn’t have if they had their act together.
Incidentally, your own post contains a few errors along the same lines of the ones you would be embarrassed to make ;-)
“Do no evil,” means something entirely different from “Don’t be evil.” Don’t kid yourself — communication was affected as well.
thanks dad, next time i’m having an existential crisis, i’ll be sure to turn to you for syntactic coherency.
by the way, the two statements you provided for your example would mean the same thing in alot of circumstances, so perhaps what i’m saying is that often times the gist of communication is facilitated by context and circumstance. sometimes, like when we’re having a philosophical or scientific debate, defining terms is key to communication. however, on a weblog written in an informal format, i think people are being douchebags pointing out inane things that don’t change the ability of the reader to understand the writer.
He *hardly* got creamed. A couple of people pointed out his errors and expressed annoyance, me included. I do read the stories – and love them – you guys are talented. But typos do detract from your ability to fully convey that talent and also frustrate some readers. And THAT is the point. Anyway, I’ll stop beating a dead horse. Keep up the good work, regardless.
+1
The content is rich, which is why we come back. But the inaccuracies detract from it. Sometimes significantly.
No need to get stroppy about it. Just sort it out and keep the stories comin’! :)
In the overall context, the content is more important than the grammar.
Let’s take Siegler and Lacy: They may right good prose, but once is a rabid Apple fan and the other is an embarrasement to all Americans, so I don’t even bother clicking on their articles anymore.
Some of the other Techcrunch writers may not know the difference between ‘than’ and ‘then’, but the content is there, so I am happy to click on the articles.
Sorry, I do know the difference between “right” and “write”….
Aren’t people aware that things in IT are moving at breakneck speed? What today is a 3.5″ screen on a Android smartphone will be a 10″ screen on a Android notebook next month.
The only thing that’s working in favor of TomTom, Garmin and others is that Google will most probably rely on their cloud and therefore would require devices with internet connection. At least until someone hacks a version of Google Maps Navigation app that uses pre-cached images for certain regions and Google decides to pick up on the popularity of such hacked apps.
BTW, dad with cataract eyes not using small screens is a bad argument as he shouldn’t be allowed to drive a car in the first place.
Cheers!
Shonzilla
Does anybody see the Big-brother potential in this, or am I just being paranoid? Google, notorious for using your info to server up Ads/make it searchable, will now know where you are and where you’re planning to go, at all times. Do you ever think that if Google fell in the wrong-hands (who knows if they’re not already there), what they can do with the massive amount of information they have gathered on each and everyone of us?? -THINK about it!
You are being paranoid. Palm already routinely track and upload your where-about back to their server with their Pre. Google serves ads on their search engine to fund this free services, give them some credit here!
I have the TomTom GPS for my Iphone 3g. For $99 its only worth it if you dont already have a GPS and want one to find your way in an unfamiliar area.
The most striking thing I enjoyed is being able to type a search style string into Google’s GPS. The TomTom program is annoying when you have to select the state, then the city, then the street, then the address. The TomTom UI is also no different than their standalone units which could be a plus or minus. Although, if you know the UI its pointless because you already own a GPS unit.
Hopefully this will mean more investment in less niche and more widely useful navigation/entertainment devices like bit.ly/3Zjjkv
Ironically Android is really well positioned to take the lead there as well – a verstaile platform rather than niche – so unless Garmin etc adopt Windows Embedded or Android and put some serious effort in their days of high margins and poor service is over..
Hopefully this will mean more investment in less niche and more widely useful navigation/entertainment devices like http://bit.ly/3Zjjkv
Ironically Android is really well positioned to take the lead there as well – a verstaile platform rather than niche – so unless Garmin etc adopt Windows Embedded or Android and put some serious effort in their days of high margins and poor service is over..
Android is just an OS. The fact that it’s now used on mobile phones just underlines the fact that it can run on hardware that has low energy consumption and that the software doesn’t require high end hardware. There might be a company using this software on their own device and make it a stand-alone GPS by caching a lot of data ;)
Or loading the maps from an SD card.
Since it is only available on Android phones, it requires you to buy that phone to use it. Are we just assuming it will be available elsewhere.
so then — How exactly is this “free”?
Unless ANY cell phone based GPS has Turn by Turn, it is really a waste (unless you have a “navigator” or “Co-pilot” sitting beside you.
On a side note (being an ex-MSFT person), if only present on an Android phone (for free), that is called “bundling” and is against the anti trust laws… as MSFT found out.
I think old fashion GPS makers will survive.
a. integreted GPS – they won’t be 3G based
b. people will rather a GPS that can work without 3G for the mountains etc.
but companies like Waze are out of business for good…
“Don’t shed a tear for GPS makers.”
Why would, for company that creates things that are still more like luxury item for the riches (outside professional field). We’ll cry if company that gives free beer died, not the company that charge for it :D
The local-cached map is not just for those outside 3G range. There are countries where the data plan is ridiculously expensive, and even so the 3G is not up to what they promised. Driving with help of constantly downloaded map to would be like sailing through (yet) uncharted waters.
I was surprised but a friend showed me a new blackberry app last night that accesses the new Google technology.
I made him demonstrate it because I was certain he had to be wrong.
It is was no where as near polished as Google’s preview. He spoke into the phone and it was accessing the google back end, even saw the google home page flash up for a second. Pretty soon he had a map on the phone showing a path between our location and the nearest Pizza Hut.
I bet in six months or less you won’t be able to tell the Blackberry and Android apps apart.
I’m still waiting for a larger-size touch screen I can mount in my car, where I can plug in my iPhone/Android and have the UI appear magnified, so I can operate the apps safely while driving.
Then GPS, maps, phone, music, video for passengers etc. would all be available hands-free.
Are any manufacturers working on such a device?
I have a TomTom Go 930 & T-Mobile G1. There’s some overlap between the two devices today (and there will be more after I get Android 2.0).
But there’s still a big difference in hardware where the TomTom wins for being a navigation device (voice volume & remote control come to mind).
@ Matt Burns: Another big thing is that a large market exists which buys Sat Nav units for driving abroad. In this instance the Google App is 100% useless because its completely reliant on its 3G connection for routing etc.
Unless you want a $10,000 data roaming bill from your mobile provider for using Sat Nav for a week then you need to stick to the stand-alone units. I know this might not be much of an issue over in the US – but in Europe where its pretty standard to drive across borders for your holidays its a big issue.
Seriously, what the hell’s up with all the grammar comments? Who the f**k cares if he misspelled or used improper punctuation? Read the article for the story…
Anyway, I’ve used Google Maps GPS on my iPhone for two years now and haven’t found a need to grab an standalone GPS device. I would like to know when we’ll be able to have a standalone GPS devices inside our phones? That way, we don’t have to download data or have a connection.
There is an app for the iphone from tomtom that you don’t need data connection. it costs $99 bucks though. basically you have all the maps downloaded to your phone about 1g. It works great when you are traveling, car rental companies want $17/day for a navi rental.
I never bought a standalone GPS because the ones i used were …unusable. Could my parents operate an android or iphone, you ask? They can, and they do. Could they do so more easily than the UI presented by most standalone GPS devices? Hell yes.
I have a Sprint Instinct with included GPS. The form factor, e.g. small screen, is a limiting factor.
I like that I’ll never have to pay for map updates or traffic reporting. Similarly, I’ll never have to pay for updated POI.
Given, the above, I thought I was done with standalone GPS until I took a trip to the mountains. With very spotty cell and 3G reception, the mighty Instinct showed only a pointer on a blank map. Due to poor reception, the phone could not refresh maps while I drove.
I have an old Nuvi 200, for which I’ll buy a lifetime of maps from Garmin, and keep this in the car for when I’m in rural areas with no reception.
Comments?
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