Almost a month ago the release of the iPhone 3.0 software allowed developers to create turn-by-turn navigation apps. Several of these navigation apps have entered the Apple App Store, with different pricing strategies. To find out which application is the most popular, we looked at the rankings of these applications on each day since they were launched.
These are the turn-by-turn navigation apps in the US Apple App Store, sorted by popularity. We determined the popularity of apps taking into account their ranking in the navigation category, for each of the days the app has been in the App Store.
Most popular turn-by-turn apps in the Apple App Store
The most popular app is the AT&T navigator, but this is the only one published in the free category. However, users pay $9.99/month on their monthly AT&T bill.
Number 2, Gokivo, costs just $0.99. But real-time GPS Navigation costs $9.99/month, which is billed using Apple’s In App Purchase.
There are significant differences in both pricing strategies and the prices itself of these applications. MobileNavigator Europe is the most expensive of the apps that do not use subscriptions but a one-off-fee, with with $139.99. This app was a lot cheaper at launch, available for $94.99, and was one of the 30 most popular navigation apps. After raising the price, the app quickly decreased in popularity, and is no longer in the top 100 right now:
Rank and price($) of MobileNavigator Europe
So which of the different pricing strategies works best? Today, this is still hard to predict. The amount that customers are willing to pay also depends on the actual supported regions of the navigation apps. What can be seen from the above table and graph:
- The apps with a subscription model have been the most popular over the last month
- A price increase like MobileNavigator had, directly affects popularity
When Apple announced the support for these type of applications, TomTom was on stage to demonstrate its navigation app that is coming to the Apple App Store soon, but a release date is still not set. It will be very interesting to see which pricing strategy they will choose.
More navigation apps are entering the store, we will keep track on how they price and which model seems to be working best.
Vincent Hoogsteder
Tags: Apple App Store for iPhone, mobilenavigator, TomTom, turn by turn navigation
Wow…! This is an amazing device!! I wanted a GPS unit that had some good features but wasn’t going to empty my wallet. I found it with the Nuvi 260W.
It has a nice, readable screen (even for someone who has to wear glasses). Touch sensitive display and great features.
It worked very well right out of the box. I like the fact that it is a self-sufficient device that does NOT require connecting it to a computer to program it.
It is very user-friendly and easy to set up. I was able to do so right in the parking lot of the store where I purchased it.
The instruction manual is pretty limited. I think it might be a problem for people who are not technically inclined or comfortable with gadgets.
I also like that Garmin has a nice website I can go to and get additional features to download (for free- different vehicle icons, different voices, etc).
Oh yeah, and if you do need to connect it to a computer to update maps or whatever, it is Mac and Windows compatible!! (via USB). You do have to go to the Garmin site to download the “garmin communicator” program for the device to be “visible” to your computer.
Its very accurate with the info on the display (I drove up north with it last weekend) I was really impressed with the fact that the ETA it showed was accurate to within about 2 minutes of my actual arrival time at my destination.
It also has some great features such as your location in proximity to gas stations/police/hospitals/food, and other points of interest.
It has a “voice” spoken announcements as to where to turn and other helpful info. “Turn right at Main Street”. That’s nice! Good for when you can’t take your eyes off the road but need to know when to turn (or whatever).
My only negative comment is that the internal battery does NOT last as long as the manufacturer spec indicates (they say 5 hours, mine went dead after about three hours). But since I had the car charger with me, that wasn’t a huge problem.
All in all, I highly recommend this device. If you’re looking to buy an inexpensive GPS that has a nice big (easy to see) display, and easy to use, then this is the GPS for you!
GPS Systems have grown to be daily – the items are merely surprising precisely what software can easily create nowadays!
I’m sorry.. I aint able to review this navigator as it was taken as a gift for my mother… but I would purchase the 265w for sure, as it is the one I would love to buy because of the lifetime real time traffic, as its way too easy… other than this, I am told it works well.