Will Garmin, Navigon, or TomTom be on the iPhone? Gadgetell investigates

The iPhone, especially with its new 3.0 software, has a lot of nifty features. One primary and popular feature of the iPhone is its vast app store that is home to many innovative and creative apps. Within the app store, it is possible to find software for nearly anything you can imagine, ranging from free to slightly expensive ones. With the 3.0 software, turn by turn GPS apps will be a possibility.

Even if you don’t own an iPhone, you might know that it already has its own form of GPS platform by Google Maps. While it is sufficient enough for some, not everyone relies on their iPhone to navigate to work, on a trip, or in unfamiliar territory. My question is, why can’t the iPhone take the place of a standalone or car GPS? Many users already rely on the iPhone for their on-the-go music, obviously phone capabilities, on-the-go web access, and I believe GPS should be another advanced feature. Telenav announced they would have GPS on the phone almost a year ago.

But what the three major players in the GPS market? I recently got in contact with Garmin, Navigon, and TomTom. I wanted to see if they had any plans for creating a solid GPS app for the iPhone.

Garmin and their (lack of) Plans

Here was the response I got when asking if they had any plans to create a GPS app for the iPhone:

We’re always looking at new opportunities, but we don’t have any plans to do an iPhone application in the immediate future.

This says a few things, they are probably busy focusing on standalone units and probably their Nuviphone. In addition, they probably think that it is not worth it for them to create and market an app for the iPhone, unless they know 100% that it will be popular and they will be making a profit. In our current economic state, it would be a stupid decision by Garmin to waste personnel and research on something that will not take off. They always do well in the standalone GPS field so they should stick with their strengths before taking a big gamble.

Navigon and their “potential” plans

When I checked up on Navigon to see if anything was doing, here was the response I received:

NAVIGON has a strong record of providing navigation software for cell phones in Europe and Samsung has already launched phones in Europe with our navigation software on board. We also recently announced a new partnership with LG in Europe. We are always looking into new business models and the smartphone market is one such opportunity that we’re examining. We would put the IPhone into the category of ‘potential opportunity.’

It is very official-like and straightforward. Navigon seems to have some good experience with mobile GPS especially in Europe and working with Samsung. Becoming partners with LG in Europe is a step in the right direction if they wish to bolster profits and generate more revenue to keep their company afloat. As with any GPS company, they are looking to keep their options open and the fact that they didn’t come out and say no about creating an app for the iPhone gives me some hope.

They want to compete with the likes of Garmin and TomTom, so by creating a good, solid app for the iPhone could be interesting. If it costs too much, people might be content with Google Maps and their standalone unit if they have one. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if they gained a lot of recognition from creating an iPhone app. I’m not going to spread a rumor by saying Navigon will develop an iPhone app, but it doesn’t look like it’s out of the realm of possibility.

TomTom and their lack of announced plans

The response I received back from TomTom was short and right to the point. Their PR said, “We haven’t made any formal announcements thus far, but I will let you know if anything should change.” Perhaps they didn’t want to disclose any confidential information to me, but I would put them into the same category as Garmin. They certainly have their priorities, and I imagine standalone GPS units are at the top, while mobile applications are near the bottom. Maybe it is possible that they will create something for the iPhone, but at this time I doubt it.

Will my iPhone be stuck with only Google Maps?

At this point in time, my answer would be yes. Unless some major company signs an exclusive deal with Apple that a piece of GPS software they create is the main GPS software on the device instead of Google Maps, then I think you are stuck with the current GPS. I think a GPS company such as the ones I contacted, or even a different company, were to create an app, that would definitely be interesting and could become popular as long as the price isn’t too high.

GPS companies have to remember that nowadays, most people who own an iPhone probably have some sort of GPS, whether it be standalone unit or car GPS. So the app they create would have to be better than a standalone or car GPS.