Check out the new NB Total Fit iPhone App powered by MapMyRun

New_Balance_Total_FitI was a keen user of the iMapmyrun iPhone app when I was training for my last canni cross half marathon. The app however was buggy and required workarounds. It spiked on the GPS, it struggled to save over 3G Internet and lost signal and forgot the current trip. When I got the email about the New Balance Total Fit (still powered by mapmyrun) I thought I’d test it out. I went on a 5 mile / 3 laps of the park run, a route iMapMyRun used to struggle with as I guess the route was all close together. I got a message at the beginning about a weak GPS signal but continued anyway. At the end of the run the data seemed accurate and so I hi save, the app saved first time with no issues.

Hopefully I’m not speaking too soon but the App seems stable and with a few extra functions to iMapMyRun including View Route, Tweet Workout, Share / Challenge and a data or map view during your workout.

October 21, 2009 | | Posted in: Sport and Fitness, Tech | 1 Comment »

And then there was Tom Tom – iPhone App, 3D Navigation

iPhone App Sat Nav Blog Series
Finally! A 3D Sat Nav application for the iPhone – Sygic Mobile Maps Europe
More 3D Sat Nav software apps for the iphone including Copilot Live and Navigon MobileNavigator
And then there was Tom Tom – iPhone App, 3D Navigation

Tom_Tom_iPhone_AppI thought this Tom Tom app wasn’t going to be released this soon but given the recent 3D Sat Nav App race between Sygic, Navigon and Coplilot Live it makes sense that Tom Tom are quick to marmet. Competitively priced in comparison to the others at £59.99 I’m sure Tom Tom will rely on their dominant Market share and brand identity to drive sales.

For a company such as ALK Technologies, makers of Copilot love it makes perfect sense to build an iPhone app to add to their product portfolio as they have specialised in the production of Sat Nav software on smart phones. Given that Tom Tom and Navigon rely on the sales of their physical product, what does it mean for them? With the popularity of the iPhone I wouldn’t have liked to be in their board meeting making this decision (yes I would) could this mean a change indirection? let’s hope they’ve done their Market Research!!

August 21, 2009 | | Posted in: Apple Mac, Mobile Phones, Software, Tech, Web and Software | No Comments »

More 3D Sat Nav software apps for the iphone including Copilot Live and Navigon MobileNavigator

iPhone App Sat Nav Blog Series
Finally! A 3D Sat Nav application for the iPhone – Sygic Mobile Maps Europe
More 3D Sat Nav software apps for the iphone including Copilot Live and Navigon MobileNavigator
And then there was Tom Tom – iPhone App, 3D Navigation

Since my post at the time I discovered the Sygic Mobile Maps Europe, 3D sat nav app, there seems to be more popping up on the app store including a roumour that Tom Tom will not be far behind. Also prices are getting competative which is nice considering the cost of the iPhone in the first place. The second one I noticed was Navigon MobileNavigator I can’t provide a review as I have not installed them all on my phone but here is the interface below and you can make your own mind up onthe app store.

Navigon_Mobile_Navigator

The 3rd and one I can comment further on is Copilot Live, I used to have their software on a htc touch diamond, I have to say I was very pleased with it and that’s coming from someone who was an ex tom tom owner, again have look at the interface below and make your own mind up, I think it looks great!

iphone-copilot-liveiphone-3d

Roll on Tom Tom’s App, i’m looking forward to seeing what they produce.

August 14, 2009 | | Posted in: Software, Tech, Travel, Web and Software | 1 Comment »

Finally! A 3D Sat Nav application for the iPhone – Sygic Mobile Maps Europe

iPhone App Sat Nav Blog Series
Finally! A 3D Sat Nav application for the iPhone – Sygic Mobile Maps Europe
More 3D Sat Nav software apps for the iphone including Copilot Live and Navigon MobileNavigator
And then there was Tom Tom – iPhone App, 3D Navigation

For a while I thought I was taking crazy pills! All this hardware on an iPhone yet I was still getting from A to B following a little dot across a google map. I payed a visit to the app store this weekend to investigate remote desktop software and came across the first 3D Sat Nav software, Sygic Mobile Maps Europe, visit the website here. Well it looks good as you can see below. I cannot provide a user review as it carries a price tag of £59.99, justifyable if you were going to spend on another device topping the £100 mark. More infof below

Sygic_Sat_Nav_iPhone_App

The app has most of the features of regular hardware but potential seamless phone function integration for the car because, yes! It’s on your phone!

Professional guidance
Intuitive design, easy to read as you drive, crystal-clear spoken voice instructions and route guidance.
Safety on the road
Everything you need to drive with confidence from advanced warnings on railway crossings and fixed speed cameras to alerts on speed limits on the roads you drive.
Make phone calls
Millions of Places of interest (POIs)* loaded with the app to help you find anything from restaurants to airports.
Speak the lingo
Set the software to your preferred language for spoken and text.
Premium map coverage
Minimise the risk of driving a route where the road layout has changed. Sygic uses the very latest maps from Tele Atlas and WhereIs.

Here’s the current (1.08.09) app store rating 3.5 from 40 ratings and here’s what some users have to say about the app

Sygic_Mobile_Maps_Reviews

July 28, 2009 | | Posted in: Tech, Travel | 1 Comment »

Work Arounds – Getting imapmyrun to work on your iPhone

Although imapmyrun is buggy, I still like to use it for the social network benefits as it seamlessly notifies my map my run account, Twitter and Facebook when I hit save.

The only error I have not found a fix for is the spiking of the GPS, sometimes I get to the end of my run and the Reading will show something ridiculous like 72 miles. I think this may be down to other applications running simultaneously.

The main issues are the weak GPS signal, which if you start the app a few minutes before setting out it often fixes, although I start it off with a weak signal and it is fine.

Make sure you have your data push turned off. I think we are asking to much if you expect your poor iPhone to handle iPod, iMapmyrun and receiving your emails at the same time.

The other major bug is the saving of the run via 3G. My first run ends at the gym where I wish to save. Every time I receive an error when I try. The only way I have managed to get around this is to come out of the app and reload it, when it restarts you will see the message “you have unsaved runs” hit save and more often than not you will be successful.

An annoyance that should also be addressed if the developers read this post, is the fact that after you hit stop the pace and time continues to count. Alongside the save error issue this produces an inaccurate recording nearly every run.

May 15, 2009 | | Posted in: Sport and Fitness, Tech | 1 Comment »
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