MobileNavigator iPhone GPS App Gets Facebook/Twitter Integration, 3D Maps

When you think iPhone GPS, you probably think TomTom. That's likely because Apple themselves endorsed TomTom's app and cradle, but that one isn't widely viewed as the most superior option. Navigon is a lesser known navigation company, but the outfit's MobileNavigator app is easily one of the nicer choices when looking to route from your iPhone.

Unlike most rivals out there, Navigon's software works with the original iPhone when coupled with a GPS receiver, so no one in left out (in theory). It obviously works better with the iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS, and if you have been waiting for the right time to ditch your standalone GPS system and go all-iPhone, maybe this is the chance.

The newest version (v1.5.0) of the MobileNavigator app adds in a few key features that make it even greater than before. It's also the first navigation app to integrate Twitter and Facebook, enabling users to shout out their location and time of arrival to their favorite social networking portals. Extending comprehensive functionality, the update adds three innovative features: in-app Connection to Facebook and Twitter, Panorama View 3D with 3D terrain views powered by NASA data, and personalized route delivery via NAVIGON MyRoutes, an intelligent direction provider.

MobileNavigator is available for $89.99 in the Apple App Store and is equipped with maps of North America from NAVTEQ. During MacWorld, MobileNavigator can be purchased for $69.99 and one time In App Purchase Traffic Live for $19.99 (regularly $24.99) from February 5-15. Panorama View 3D will be available via an In App Purchase for $9.99.

MobileNavigator transforms the iPhone into an inclusive navigation device that relies on the GPS receiver, independent from a cell or wireless signal, to provide the most feature rich on-board navigation application. MobileNavigator offers a familiar, yet streamlined user interface that offers intuitive visual feedback and readily accessible connected features, which takes the efficiency of mobile navigation to new heights. It is the only on-board iPhone navigation app available that includes Google Local Search, Reality View™ Pro, branded in-route POI’s, seamless in-app iPod controls, enhanced pedestrian mode, Traffic Live, and soon in-app social media connectivity in one application.

NAVIGON is dedicated to delivering premium navigation software for multiple mobile phone platforms. The company recently launched MobileNavigator for Windows Phone and announced an application for Android phones. According to the latest market data from Canalys, NAVIGON is the industry leader of on-board/perpetual navigation solutions for mobile phones in the U.S. with a market share of 23 percent.

Version 1.5.0 Feature Highlights:

Connection to Facebook and Twitter: A simple icon tap posts users current position, destination, and ETA without navigation interruption.

Panorama View 3D: True 3D in-map views obtained from NASA’s height and terrain data enable intuitive orientation of surrounding environment, and what lies ahead with digital landscape elevations, shadows, and geographic images. Panorama View 3D is integrated in-map, independent from the phone’s data connection. The Panorama View 3D feature will be available via an In App Purchase.

NAVIGON MyRoutes: Analyzes driving habits, patterns, location, time/day and provides up to three routes clearly displayed in-map with ETA, distance and driving times for each.