MapQuest Blog

Now that MapQuest Navigator for iPhone is out in the wild, we thought it best to provide a bit of guidance both for those who have the app and those who are looking to get the app and need more clarification on its features.

With that said, here are a few tips that will help you better harness the power of the Voice Guided routing feature within MapQuest Navigator:

A. GPS and Cell Coverage Questions:

It goes without saying that the app is fairly reliant on both cell and GPS connectivity in order to navigate. However, the good news is that because we download the "route corridor" (a limited surrounding distance around your route) when you start a trip, you can lose cell connectivity and still navigate towards your destination with no ill effects.

Unfortunately, losing the GPS signal is another story. The app has the same limitations as any/all GPS reliant devices: if you lose connectivity or have a weak signal, the routing engine may become confused and display inaccurate information such as erroneous directional prompts and traffic info. Additionally, cloud-cover and dense urban high-rise environments can severely impair your iPhone's GPS signal and accuracy.

B. Routing Tips:

1. When going "off-route", from a main road/highway or interstate onto a smaller street, the app will do its best to keep you on that major road even prompting you to "make a legal u-turn" well into your diversion.
What to do: Before creating your route, go to the "settings" panel on your iPhone and select "Navigator." Choose the "Avoid Highways" option to allow the app to accept "off-route" diversions that include smaller streets and roads.



2. When traveling on a route with heavy traffic and slow movement, you may receive your directional voice prompt multiple times before you can take action.
What to do: With the app open, tap the iPhone screen or click on the "Options" to reveal the Route Settings panel. Choose the "Mute" button to force the app into silent mode while you progress through traffic.



3. Need to make a stop during your route, but want the flexibility of returning where you left-off?
What to do: Simply quit the app. When you are finished with your stop, power up MapQuest Navigator once again, and you will be prompted to continue with your route--right where you left-off!

C. Using the Place Carousel for searching points of interest:

In some cases, finding locations within a certain business category (icon), may not display locations within your map view.
What to do: Zoom out to enable a larger map area and therefore larger coverage.

Have other questions or concerns? Visit our handy support site or view the "Quick Start Guide" here.

Some of you may have noticed that when we initially launched MapQuest Navigator for iPhone, we offered a $.99 price for a 14-day trial. Unfortunately, due to App Store restrictions, we are now unable to support this offer. The application is now initially available for one month at $3.99.

After the first month for $3.99, users can choose the subscription model that best suits their needs: one month at $3.99, three months at $9.99 or one year at $29.99.

Thanks to everyone that has already downloaded the MapQuest Navigator for iPhone, and for the great feedback we've received. If you haven't already downloaded the application we encourage you to try it, and believe that you'll like its easy-to-use interface, voice-guided navigation and convenient local search capabilities.

Today, MapQuest released the new MapQuest Navigator for iPhone, an easy-to-use voice-guided, turn-by-turn navigation application with convenient local search capabilities. MapQuest Navigator for iPhone is available for a 14-day trial for $0.99 from the App Store and At the end of the trial period,users can choose the subscription model that best suits their needs: one month at $3.99, three months at $9.99 or one year at $29.99. Subscriptions can be purchased from within the application and are non-recurring--on an opt-in basis only.

MapQuest Navigator for iPhone offers a feature set that is focused on providing helpful driving directions while assisting people to find things along the way, including:

• 2-D and 3-D moving maps to help people follow the route as well as spoken directions with street names
• Route optimization to avoid areas with accidents, construction or other events affecting traffic
• Full route corridor download at the beginning of the journey enables the application to quickly re-routes in case of a missed turn, regardless of network coverage
• One-tap search for businesses along a route via a palette of on-map widgets in categories such as hotels, shopping, gas stations, coffee shops, parking garages and more
• More than 16 million points of interest and maps for the U.S. and Canada

The app is available now on the iPhone App Store by clicking here.
To see a demo video, click here.
If you would like more information about the application, visit wireless.mapquest.com


MapQuest Navigator for iPhone key features:

1. Streamlined 3D interface featuring voice-guided, turn-by-turn navigation that speaks directions and street names.



2. Regular Data Updates: Search 16+ million points of interest and utilize up-to-date street maps.



3. Full route corridor download offers quick route re-calculation for missed turns as well provides continued service in areas of no cellular coverage.



4. Traffic Incident Based routing: US routes are optimized to avoid traffic incidents that might delay your travel.



5. Our new MapQuest® place carousel: Easily displays locations for hotels, movie theatres, gas stations, and more with a single tap.