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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg Traffic Live for iPhone Navigation. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=233717)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Navigon_LiveTraffic_and_Mobile_Navigator.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) - Sept.19, 2009

Both the Navigon MobileNavigator and LiveTraffic look like a fantastic and are an inexpensive add on to your iPhone.

New traffic feature for NAVIGON MobileNavigator uses traffic information to route around congestion. The service has the highest accuracy available today using data from several sources including real-time speed information from actual drivers on the road, traffic messages, road sensors and cameras as well as historic traffic flow data.

NAVIGON, an innovator in the navigation market, announced live traffic capabilities for its iPhone navigation app. The feature, Traffic Live, will be available in October for the North American version of the MobileNavigator on the iPhone. It utilizes real-time traffic information as well as historic data to calculate better routes that avoid congestion and get drivers to their destination faster.

“By including real-time speed data from drivers on the road, we are adding a next generation traffic service to our app that goes beyond traditional traffic functions which work with radio transmitted messages only. This is clearly raising the bar for iPhone GPS applications,” said Gerhard Mayr, Vice-President Worldwide Mobile Phones & New Markets at NAVIGON. “Providing the driver instantaneous traffic conditions, and offering efficient, alternative routes to the congestion, saves time, fuel and money. The ability to know and navigate around gridlock is a crucial function and we are thrilled to be the first major GPS company to announce this critical, and sought after service for an iPhone navigation app at a flat fee.”

NAVIGON’s new Traffic Live provides the most precise traffic information available today. It uses real-time speed data from over one million drivers across North America including commercial fleets such as trucks and taxis but also regular drivers with a GPS system. So if for example several vehicles on a road report slow speed, the system recognizes congestion and provides an alternate and faster route. The feature also uses an intelligent fusion of information from traffic cameras, speed sensors and conventional traffic messages coming through a radio network. In addition, the system includes historic traffic data to assist with the prediction of road conditions when calculating a route. This includes information about traffic conditions on certain holidays or yearly events, allowing the driver to avoid taking routes that traditionally are congested on a regular basis.

Feature integration into the MobileNavigator is seamless and the functionality is easy to use. The software automatically includes the traffic information when calculating a route and users receive immediate on-screen alerts via iconic warnings indicating new incidents and congestion along the current route. The NAVIGON MobileNavigator provides detailed information regarding the severity of the incident and the speed of traffic flow. Based on the real-time traffic warnings and the excellent mapping functionality the user can determine an efficient, alternative route or stay on the course. The software automatically adjusts estimated time of arrival.

NAVIGON Traffic Live will be available as an In App Purchase for $24.99. Users can add the service directly within the MobileNavigator app. For the first four weeks, it will be available for an introductory price of $19.99. After the one-time purchase, users have the service available with no month-to-month service fees.

The MobileNavigator transforms any iPhone 3G, equipped with at least Apple OS 3.0 operating system, or iPhone 3G S into a complete navigation device. It is the leading iPhone navigation app in its class with unique features such as Reality View™ Pro which displays 3D views of complex highway interchanges and exits helping drivers to orientate on the go. MobileNavigator is the only flat fee navigation app to include spoken street names (text-to-speech), seamless access to all iPod functions while navigating as well as the display of route specific branded POI’s which allow easy identification of any points of interest along the way.

With the NAVIGON MobileNavigator you can transform your iPhone into a complete mobile navigation system. Experience the unique features and user-friendliness known from NAVIGON's multi-award-winning personal navigation devices on your iPhone wherever you go. The software includes many of NAVIGON's hallmark navigation functions such as Reality View™ Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, Speed Assistant and Day & Night Mode. And of course, it features NAVIGON's sophisticated and elegant map views including branded POIs along the route. The new route guide for your iPhone - the ideal companion for all frequent travelers.

Navigon MobileNavigator

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/NAVIGON_MobileNavigator_Profile.jpg
Showing routes in both LA and NY.

Navigon features and range of functions:
Reality View Pro (realistic display of motorway interchanges and exits)


Lane Assistant Pro


Speed Assistant with adjustable audio-visual warning


Direct Access allows to navigate to contacts saved in the iPhone's address book


Quick access to user-defined POIs in the area and along the route


2D and 3D map displays


Can be used in portrait and landscape format


Precise voice announcements


Intelligent address entry


Real signpost display


Day and night mode for map display


The latest NAVTEQ map material (onboard navigation, no subscription fees)


Take Me Home function with a single click


Automatic language selection to match the iPhone's user language


Navigation is automatically resumed after an incoming phone call


Additional languages: US English, Spanish and French (GUI and Audio)

The NAVIGON MobileNavigator for the iPhone is available for $89.99 in the Apple App Store and is equipped with maps of North America from NAVTEQ®. There are no subscription fees attached and no map downloads during navigation.

Who will win? $2,000 + OEM Navigation units that are becoming so sophisticated that they will eventually drive your car or iPhone like apps for your mobile phone that make in car navigation affordable to all?

Hi All,

Use of this program on a IPhone in Illinois by a driver is not legal by the letter of the law....

Hi Donee:

___Could you provide more details with possibly a link as this is a std. Navi app? Although you cannot see the News headline pic detail, it is I-94 and Ogden and should look familiar ;)

___I am also in initial stages of an ATT sponsorship proposal for a Chicago to LA drive with AT&T and a tethered iPhone providing our online (Passenger driven) communication.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I've been using this program for a little over a month now and I'm really impressed by it. I have the phone in a landscape orientation in a dock up on the dash so that it can be used as any other 3rd party GPS unit can.

I'll be purchasing the update to get traffic aware routing as soon as it is available. :)

Looks like it does everything my GPS can do with possibly better traffic information. Not sure how good ATT coverage is though for signals, suck to have it stop working when it was needed.

Info: Don't have an I phone, and barely use my cell phone, just never find much need.

Only the traffic info would be via the data network. All maps, POI data, and TTS software is onboard and it only needs a GPS signal to operate. It will work nearly anywhere a standalone GPS unit would (it just has a smaller antenna so it might not get as much signal).

Hi Wayne,

The law in Illinois permits video screens that show Navicgation, Mapping or Vehicle Information displays in the view of the driver, but only if such devices are limited to those functions during driving.

The Iphone being a phone, is not limited to those functions and has a video screen.

In effect, the Iphone is not legal to use while driving in Illinos - to the letter of the law, if the video screen can be seen by the driver.

The law was apparently written by somebody who is a computer equipment ignoramous, since the whole idea behind the micro-processor is to allow it to be programmed to do anything and these devices permitted would not be practical without the use of a micro-proccessor. And eventually, even the simple GPS will be so multifunctional , it will also be illegal. Do not some of these units have Blue-Tooth ? And if it switches to the phone controls while driving, when a call comes in, or can be, that again is illegal by the letter of the law in Illinois.

Hi Wayne,

Here is the statute:
....
(625 ILCS 5/12‑604.1)
Sec. 12‑604.1. Video devices.
(a) A person may not operate a motor vehicle if a television receiver, a video monitor, a television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver's seat, or is operating and visible to the driver while driving the motor vehicle.
(b) This Section does not apply to the following equipment when installed in a vehicle:
(1) a vehicle information display;
(2) a global positioning display;
(3) a mapping display;
(4) a visual display used to enhance or supplement
the driver's view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the purpose of maneuvering the vehicle;

(5) television‑type receiving equipment used
exclusively for safety or traffic engineering studies; or

(6) a television receiver, video monitor, television
or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal, if that equipment has an interlock device that, when the motor vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for all uses except as a visual display as described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of this subsection (b).

(c) This Section does not apply to a mobile, digital terminal installed in an authorized emergency vehicle, a motor vehicle providing emergency road service or roadside assistance, or to motor vehicles utilized for public transportation.
(d) A person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a petty offense and shall be fined not more than $100 for a first offense, not more than $200 for a second offense within one year of a previous conviction, and not more than $250 for a third or subsequent offense within one year of 2 previous convictions.
(Source: P.A. 94‑185, eff. 1‑1‑06.)
...

Note subparagraph 6.