For those living under a rock, you'll be surprised to learn that Apple announced a new iPhone today that, along with 3G support for faster downloads, features GPS built into the popular phone. While current iPhones can pinpoint your location and provide a Google Map to a destination, they can't hold your hand while traveling and let you know when to turn. The new iPhone available July 11th will be able to do just that like GPS nav systems from well known manufacturers like TomTom or Garmin. We don't know if the new iPhone will also provide voice prompts for directions, so it may turn out to be down a feature or two from a full fledged nav system still, and unfortunately the new case design, which is very similar to the current model but can now be had in white for the 16 GB model, does not come with a suction cup to affix Apple's gravy train device to your windshield. We're sure third-party providers are working on windshield mounts as we speak. The new iPhone will cost just $199 for an 8 GB model and $299 for a 16 GB model, though, which may help some stomach the mandatory contract with AT&T. Check out all the Apple coverage you could ever want at our sibling-site Engadget below.[Source: Engadget]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
iCameiSawiConquered @ Jun 9th 2008 5:08PM
Is the iPhone rear wheel drive also?
I'm kind of confused why this is posted on AutoBlog...not that the iPhone isn't huge news...but maybe not here?
John Neff @ Jun 9th 2008 5:16PM
because iPhone users will be able to carry around a full-fledged GPS system, which to date has been a product largely devoted to the auto industry.
Wes @ Jun 9th 2008 5:25PM
My Blackjack does that, as do many, many other smart phones.
Ironically, I'd actually come over here to get away from the Apple oily mosh pit that is Engadget right now....
sigh
RMc @ Jun 9th 2008 6:14PM
Not to be crude, Jeff, but GPS for automotive navigation is a tiny sliver its use.
The fact that a iPhone is GPS capable doesn't make it qualify for Autoblog or else you are going to have to start covering every single other GPS navigation device release. Include one, include all.
Scott @ Jun 9th 2008 6:23PM
The blackjack screen is 2.2".
The iphone screen is 3.5".
I'll leave it as an academic exercise to guess which one is safer to use while driving.
Chris @ Jun 9th 2008 6:23PM
I am awaiting the Obama posts regardless of how much of a stretch it takes to link it to automotive concerns.
iPhone I can see to a point, at least if I can use it to route, perhaps with 3rd party, it can become a good true GPS alternative. I haven't seen what it does natively.
paul34 @ Jun 9th 2008 10:16PM
Actually, it is not "full-fledged" GPS. It is A-GPS which realizes the same function as traditional GPS, but goes about actually triangulating your position in a very different way.
It is the same tech used by some Verizon models and other "navigator" phones today (uses cell towers rather than geostationary satellites to triangulate position).
Mobius_1 @ Jun 10th 2008 1:21AM
I think Autoblog caught some sort of iPhone-bug from Engadget
My god, Engadget is full of iPhone-ness, like even more than Apple website itself, Autoblog's coverage of GT-R and ZR1 don't even come close
SPF @ Jun 9th 2008 5:09PM
Current iphone users are gonna be pissed, no? That'a HUGE price cut.
sk @ Jun 9th 2008 5:23PM
Free upgrade for current iPhone users if the phone was purchased after 5/27/08. You can just swap it for the new one.
MikeofLA @ Jun 9th 2008 5:35PM
That's funny, the iPhone has been all but unavailable for about 3 weeks.
Seminole @ Jun 9th 2008 6:49PM
Ya, but the people getting a "free upgrade" still paid whatever the old iPhone cost. Wasn't it $299 and $399?
AndyMF @ Jun 9th 2008 5:13PM
Well, that contract isn't really "mandatory" is it now?
MikeofLA @ Jun 9th 2008 5:33PM
It is Per sae, until they come out with another Jail Break for 2.0 it's going to be useless without AT&T activation. Also, if you jail break the iPhones you void your warranty and can end up with you phone "Bricked" which is no fun.
Vintage @ Jun 9th 2008 5:24PM
Wow! A 2MP camera? What the hell is the point of that?
I guess I'll be waiting for the next one, Apple. Way to make a completely pointless camera.
MikeofLA @ Jun 9th 2008 5:34PM
Buy a camera if you want to take pictures. A 2mp camera is plenty for most people that expect to take pictures with their phone. I have the current iPhone and have taken some pretty good pictures with it, considering it's limitations.
Vintage @ Jun 9th 2008 5:46PM
Uh, okay, then buy a laptop if you want to check your email away from home. Buy a palm pilot if you want an organizer. Buy an atlas if you want access to maps. By your rational the iPhone would be nothing more than just some other phone.
The POINT of the Camera is to take pictures, but it does NOT replace even the crappiest of digital cameras, as it's picture quality is horrid. Why bother putting it in if it does a horrible job? That has always been what apple has done in the past: They don't tack on craptastic features like FM tuners to their iPods, nor do they saddle their computers with half assed software. They stick to the basics, and do a really good job.
Except with the camera on the iPhone.
Za @ Jun 10th 2008 1:08AM
I use an SLR for my photos. There's not a phone out there that touches it in terms of image quality. Using your logic, I should autocross my minivan since it has 4 wheels. I could, yeah...but it would still suck.
tuna @ Jun 9th 2008 5:25PM
And the waiting continues. Details are pretty sparse right now. There is no mention of whether it reroutes automatically should you miss a turn. I'm dissapointed by the status quo 2mp camera. Still not quite the one-device-to-rule-them-all I was hoping for. N95 is close, but GPS implementation is not that great from what I've seen.
tuna @ Jun 9th 2008 5:44PM
Okay Fanboy. You need to chill and STFU. All I said was I'd like to have a phone that has true, function GPS nav and a decent camera so I won't need to take 3 devices with me.
Douchebag.