New iPhone 3G to Come with GPS

Before we talk about the new iPhone 3G with GPS, we will acknowledge right now that many, many, many current cell phones on the market have GPS capabilities. However, we’ll also point out that millions of people will most likely opt for the next iPhone, which goes on sale July 11, over all those other cell phones combined.

What we found out today is that the new iPhone will have built-in GPS that will allow for live tracking; it won’t rely solely on cell phone tower and Wi-Fi locations for triangulation, like the current model does. The iPhone GPS will use Google Maps and feature live traffic information that can be switched from map to satellite view, or a hybrid of both. Users can also look up nearby points of interest. And of course you can get turn-by-turn directions with tracking that updates your position like a typical GPS unit. There was no mention of voice/dictated directions, but we doubt that will be a feature at launch.

Assuming the Apple site isn’t overflowing with traffic, you can watch a video demonstration of the GPS feature here. The iPhone 3G will go on sale at a starting price of $199, meaning it’ll be about the same price as the cheapest aftermarket GPS unit currently for sale — plus, you know, it’s an iPhone, too.

What do you think? Will the iPhone put aftermarket GPS units out of business?

Comments

I WANT ONE

I'm surprised you guys are reporting on the new iPhone. I guess it's never bad to report on such a popular product. Not only that, you guys will probably get LOTS of google hits because of this article.

We try to take on BIG news in the GPS space because it is such a big part of driving today.

we've talked about live maps on phones like the Samsung Blackjack before too.

But yeah, everyone is looking up iPhone stuff today I'm sure.

This is definitely going to replace my iPod, my Razr, and my Garmin. Especially for only $199. I only have a 8GB iPod nano (that cost me $199 last Christmas), and now I can get a phone, iPod video, and GPS in one device for the same price from the same company!!! I can see why this iPhone's likely going to stir more buzz, than the last one did last year. I don't think iPhone is gunning after TomTom and Garmin, though. I think they'll get a lot of customers that already have GPSs and are replacing them with iPhones. I don't know if the average Joe is going to cross-shop the nuvi with the iPhone. Who knows, maybe this will take a bite out of the GPS market, but I kinda doubt it (at least initially).

Hmm...$200 for a phone, iPod, email, web surfer, game platform AND GPS unit or $100-400 for a GPS unit alone that might be able to play music?

I think you have your answer.

The aftermarket GPS is dead. In-dash units can't be updated or require expensive updates (the price of an iPhone) and cause cars to depreciate faster.

I think Infiniti has it right by creating non-Nav in-dash entertainment systems with big screens. They should leave the Nav out. With bluetooth, they can stream voice directions through the stereo from the phones.

$200 is not bad but only 3G is not going to replace my ipod and I really don't want to switch to Sprint to get it. The have some poor coverage in my area. Someone else will come out with somthing similar. There are already clones of the older iphone.

What they need is for apple to partner with someone to create an onboard screen that you just plug your iphone into. This way the info is always updated and you can navigate it from the dash.

That price comes with an 2-year AT&T contract :(

Unlocked 3G iPhones will probably sell for 3 times that much on ebay. Not interested.

I think the iPhone will kill off much of the aftermarket GPS industry; but only because so many companies feel they need to copy Apple.

ziggy, the iPhone has 8GB storage. The 3G stands for the wireless technology used. The last iPhone used 2.5G wireless technology that was about the speed of dial-up. The new 3G is about the speed of DSL internet. For $199 it's cheaper than a comparable iPod Touch by $100, and has twice as many features.

Lil'Tom I doubt that unlocked iPhones will be on eBay for 3x the price, but even if they did (to put things into perspective) they'd be the same price as they were last year ($599), and last year there were iPhone shortages at that price. Not bad if you ask me.

$199? Is that the at&t subsidized price?

Wouldn't that require the iphone call plan to work?

I don't think this will take away to much business from after market car based GPS companies, because it doesn't have voice-dictated directions- without that, this thing is just as distracting as texting while driving.

Also the fact that you have to pay $70-$100 a month for two years to At&t is a another huge negative. After market GPS units don't usually have monthly subscriptions anymore, at least for the basics.

I don't know about you guys, but At&t is pretty awful service provider around in my area.

I'm looking for a smart phone right now. Before this announcement, Apple wasn't even on my list because of the price. Now they're on there lumped with a bunch of other models.

I'm sure I'm one of the few, but I'm not completely drinking the Apple kool-aid just yet ;)

Collin B. go to an apple store and play with some of the current iPhones. I promise you, that they'll blow your mind (they blew mine at least). The iPhone touch interface is just astoundingly simple intuitive and beautiful. For me to just imagine that they made essentially every aspect of the new iPhone better than the old one, blows my mind even more.

J, in a simple answer NO. The iPhone's price is not subsidized by AT&T. You should still be able to (on July 11) go to an apple store and buy one without having to sign any contracts or anything. Buying an iPhone is exactly like buying an iPod. That's how so many people have been able to "unlock" them.

My nephew has the current iphone and I've had a chance to play with it. I thinks it's awesome! It's just too bad that at&t/sprints service really sucks in my area. He complains about it all the time.

The $199 price is NOT the price with a contract. That contract price if there is one has not been announced. Although Steve Jobs did say the price was a "maximum" of $199. Suggesting to me that there will be an even lower price for the AT&T 2-year folks.

The current one has rates as low as $59 a month which includes unlimited data. The new one should be around the same maybe a little higher (or lower, who knows?)

Dave,
The Apple website lists the price as $199 with an asterisk that directs you to text that reads, "Requires new 2-year AT&T rate plan, sold separately." I assumed that meant you have to buy a plan to get the phone. If not then I definitely want one.

Why do I want a phone like that?

Just got myself a 8GB memory stick micro for just $58, and my phone's sound quality is superior to the iphone. The touch screen plus the keyboard on the screen is a perfect pain combination for typos.

I have a technogeek boyfriend who uses his latest/greatest cell phone/computer for gps directions and I find them far inferior to my in dash system. First difference is hands free voice system which means I can keep both eyes on the road and hands on the wheel to input directions. Second important thing to keep in mind is that the screen for the iphone is tiny compared to the indash system, not a comparable experience at all. Also, the indash system doesn't require a subscription and I don't mind paying a couple hundred dollars every few years for updates as the system works so well. Everytime boyfriend tries to show off his phone based gps I find it falls far short of expectations.

I looked at iphone last week. Techie told me to hold off and wait for new iphone (as 3G was hardware change and not software).

The iphone does NOT have MMS capabilities (picture texting from cel phone to cel phone). One of the things that may keep me from standing in line for one. It is a feature that I use regularly in my sideline business.

The argument is that I could e-mail pics and give alternate number to have pictures texted to me. But the people I text with aren't too tech savvy (one didn't realize she could scroll up and down to see whole picture) and picture texting to different address than regular text (to telephone number) will confuddle all.

Lack of MMS is a bummer.

They need to integrate it more. I think MOST people don't use Nav more than 10% of the time. Is it really worth $1000-2200 for a Nav that doesn't really get used. Sure, it's a pretty picture and all, and it is useful, but unless you're a delivery car (pizza) then a built-in in-dash system is pretty much worthless. On top of that $1000-2200 your maps go out of date.

Now if you get lost on your way to work everyday maybe you do need it. ;)

For most people an occasional GPS such as those found in phones is more than adequate.