The GPS has become a staple for travelers around the country (and the world). From on-screen roadways to voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions, having a GPS has kept countless people from losing their way. Having the extra bulk of carrying yet another device and charger, though, can be quite a hassle. Now, smartphone users are now looking to their devices for guidance. Sygic GPS Navigation for iOS may be the solution to smartphone navigation.
Overview:
Sygic GPS Navigation (Universal apps in the App Store) offers a country-specific GPS app for your cellular connected iDevice (iPhone, iPad + Cellular). Unlike many other GPS apps that require a monthly or yearly subscription, Sygic only requires the purchase of your country’s version up front, giving you a lifetime of voice-guided navigation.
Sygic’s apps are well worth the money, too. With prices ranging from $9.99 (USA), up to $59.99 (Europe + Russia), Sygic’s GPS app offers a stack of features unmatched by other, traditional GPS apps.
Sygic GPS Navigation offers free map updates, real-time traffic, spoken directions (with street names), lane guidance, and speed limit alerts – much like other GPS apps – but the app piles on even more great features, as well. Sygic GPS supports full multitouch map viewing (unlike most traditional GPS units), as well as full iPod control, multitasking support (for prolonged battery life), weather information, and social media integration.
Sygic also packs a few unique ways of finding your destination. Not only can you plug in an address or navigate to a contact, you can also open a photo from your camera roll, and using the meta-data of the image, Sygic can take you to the location the photo was taken. Sygic also allows you to navigate to a general area by zip code, or use Google’s local search to find an abundance of nearby points of interest – and when running on your iPhone, Sygic also allows for in-app calling for your chosen points-of-interest (when available through Google local search).
Sygic is also a great GPS app because it doesn’t rely as heavily on your mobile data connection (great for tiered data plans). Sygic stores critical map information to you iDevice to preserve battery consumption and for more consistent navigation data. This is also a great feature, as it allows for 3D environment mapping, showing you a three dimensional view of your surroundings (when available).
Verdict: [rating: 4.5]
Sygic GPS Navigation for iOS packs a huge offering of features not available on a traditional GPS, making it a stand-out among both stand-alone GPS units, and navigation apps alike. The link between GPS and standard iOS features gives Sygic a huge boost above the competition. The purchase price (even for more expensive countries) is a huge benefit over many of the subscription-based navigation apps, making Sygic worth the upfront cost.
Pros:
- Easy and intuitive functionality and use
- Integration of core iOS functionality (iPod, phone, etc.)
- 3D Environment viewing
- Stored map data
Cons:
- International travelers will need multiple different countries
- Can easily take up large amounts of storage space
Sygic GPS Navigation is one of the best iOS navigation apps available. Find it for your country in the iOS App Store.
