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TomTom’s New App Uses Twitter and Facebook to Help You Navigate

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated February 19, 2018

TomTom is obviously one of the biggest players in the navigation business, and with standalone devices selling alongside the company's mobile apps, it's also one of the most dominant.

Not happy to rest on its laurels, TomTom has been showing off a new version of its popular iOS app at this year's CES, and it's a little different. Namely, this incarnation uses social networks like never before, with Twitter and Facebook being used to actually help with navigation.

Version 1.10 of the current TomTom apps will take in the new social features, with abilities such as navigating to recent checkins on a network being added throughout the app. Notifications of expected arrival times and more can also be shared the other way, keeping your friends and family up to date on proceedings...

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TomTom Navigation App Gets Updated for the iPad

Guest Author ∙ Updated February 19, 2018

Today TomTom released an update to its iPhone app that adds an iPad version. This means that, with a 3G iPad, you can use your iPad as a turn-by-turn navigation device.

The app takes great advantage of the iPad's screen real estate. The universal update was updated for all of the international TomTom apps, too.

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Apple Working on Augmented Reality for Maps App

Cody Lee ∙ August 18, 2011

There's been a lot of evidence over the last few years that Apple is working on drastically enhancing the Maps application in iOS. From job listings, to the acquisition of mapping companies like Placebase and Poly 9, it's not hard to follow the breadcrumbs.

Fast forward to today, and reports are surfacing that suggest that Apple is taking their research to the next level. MacRumors has uncovered a new patent application from the Cupertino company that describes mapping software with augmented reality functionality...

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TryGpsOut: Turn Your Wi-Fi iPad into a Digital Map

Cody Lee ∙ July 5, 2011

The jailbreak community is responsible for a number of iDevice enhancements and innovations. Jailbreak developers are constantly giving our iDevices features that Apple for one reason or another has left out.

A perfect example is BTStack GPS. The utility allows you to connect an external GPS unit to your iPad to use with mapping software. Don't own an external GPS unit? The community's got you covered there too. A new app called TryGpsOut will allow you to use your iPhone instead...

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Evidence Surfaces in iOS 5 that Apple is Still Working on Maps App

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

I have to admit, after all the evidence we've seen over the last several months, I was a little surprised that we didn't see any kind of major improvements to the Map app in iOS 5. Apple has purchased multiple GPS software companies in the last few years, including PlaceBase and Poly9.

But even though there were no significant Map announcements at WWDC, there's still hope. Apple's developer's conference only gave us a "sneak peak"  at 10 items from a list of over 200 improvements, so it's very possible that we may still see Maps get a revamp this fall...

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New in iOS 5: Suggested Routes in Maps

IDB Staff ∙ June 9, 2011

If you go to the Google Maps website and look for directions to a specific location, chances are there are different ways to get there. This is what Google calls "suggested routes." The website lets you easily see those alternate routes and you can select the one that fits you best.

"Suggested Routes" is a new feature in the Maps app of iOS 5. Just like Google Maps on the web, the app will offer you suggested routes if available...

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Apple will Continue to use Google Maps in iOS 5

Cody Lee ∙ May 28, 2011

We've reported on several occasions that Apple has been looking to revamp its Maps application in iOS. After the purchase of PlaceBase and multiple suspicious job listings, we certainly have had reason to believe that Apple has some major changes in mind for the Maps app.

The big question has been (with Apple and Google quickly becoming competitors across multiple markets): will Google continue to have a hand in the Maps application?

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Apple is Looking for iOS Maps Application Developer

Alex Heath ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Are you the best navigation software developer you know? Do you love “innovative features” and “sophisticated user interfaces?" Then you may be what Apple is looking for.

The folks at Cupertino have a new job posting for a talented iOS Maps Application Developer. Does this mean that we'll see a revamped Maps app in the future?

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GPS Bookmarker Allows You to Save Locations on Your iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 10, 2018

We've reported in the past that Apple is looking to update the Maps app in iOS. Outside of turn-by-turn directions and Street View, the application is fairly limited in its current form. This has allowed other companies like Navigon and TomTom to compete in the App Store with their GPS applications, derived from years of navigation experience.

If Apple is looking to compete with the heavyweights, they really need to beef up the Maps app's feature set. Obviously we all hope to see spoken turn-by-turn directions added, but what other functions would you want in an iOS navigation app?

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Apple Now Collecting Traffic Data, Future Maps Makeover?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 26, 2017

Ok ok, we get it. The secret location file that came to light last week is a glitch, and is being fixed. This article isn't about the potential dangers that are involved with this location information, but the possibilities it brings for future iOS features.

Apple posted a Q&A article this morning to set the record straight about the controversial tracking file. One of the questions was, "What other location data is Apple collecting on the iPhone besides crowd-sourced Wi-Fi hotspot and cell tower data?"

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Localscope: One of The Best Location/Navigation Apps for the iPhone [Review and Giveaway]

Alex Heath ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

There's a plethora of location-based apps to choose from in the App Store. Check-in services like Foursquare and Gowalla are popular, and there are some pretty niffty location-based search apps like Siri Assistant and Where.

Localscope, by Cynapse, is a search/navigation app that encompasses the features of most location-based tools in the App Store. By using the backend of services like Google and Twitter, Localscope allows for a more full and encompassing experience of searching for locations around you...

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