GPS Life

Navigon has updated its increasingly popular MobileNavigator navigation app for the iPhone with a litany of new features, which include 3D terrain view, a 3D panorama view for an additional charge and in-app connectivity with Facebook and Twitter for status updates with geolocation data along with improved pedestrian functionality.

The Panorama View 3D provides a 3D rendering of the terrain ahead based on DEM date provided by NASA. This is a $9.99 in-app purchase option and the data is integrated on the iPhone so does not incur any additional charges in use.

The new version also adds new functionality called MyRoutes, which allows for analysis of driving habits, patterns, location and time of day in order to provide up to three routes clearly displayed in-map with Estimated Time of Arrival, distance and driving times for each.

armin just announced the nuvifone A50 Android device and nuvifone M10 Windows Mobile device

The A50 is a Google Android device with a 3.5 inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen. It has an integrated 4GB Flash drive, microSD card slot, 3 megapixel camer with auto-focus, and accelerometer.

The A50 mobile phone goes by the tagline “Location is relevant to everything you do” and includes a turn by turn navigation system with Garmin navigation as well as voice prompts offering directional service while driving or on foot

A compass is included in the device so the cityXplorer maps can be used for buses, trains, and other public transportation systems and pedestrian mode. Google Maps is also supported since it is an Android device.

The M10 is a Windows Mobile 6.5.3 based device with capacitive touchscreen 3.5 inch WVGA display. Hardware specs include 512MB RAM, 512MB ROM, 4GB integrated Flash drive, 1500 mAh battery, and five megapixel camera.

Google made its Google Maps Navigation feature for Google Maps available for smartphones running the Android 1.6 operating system build and higher. This release includes Google's new Layers feature, which lets users overlay geographical information.However, users cannot use the "navigate to" voice command.

Google Maps Navigation delivers spoken turn-by-turn driving directions through your phone, just like apps made by GPS manufacturers TomTom and Magellan. It also incorporates Google's search features and Google Map features like Street View.

The app was released a few weeks ago, but was limited to phones running Android version 2.0. And the only phone running Android 2.0, so far, is the Motorola Droid. But now, users of other Android-based phones, including the T-Mobile myTouch 3G and the T-Mobile G1 will get access to this excellent application.

Google Maps Navigation is a Web-based GPS navigation system that provides turn-by-turn voice directions and automatic rerouting for U.S. users. Users can speak or type their destination and receive directions along with fresh map, business, and traffic data, as well as satellite and Street View imagery along their route.