A free open-source satnav app that could well genuinely disrupt and improve the market for navigation apps on smartphones
The era of the dedicated satnav or PND (personal navigation device) is certainly coming to an end. Companies such as TomTom are now offering their own, very well-designed, apps for the iPhone and other smartphone platforms, while dedicated mobile navigation software specialists such as Co-Pilot also offer iPhone users a range of accomplished apps to tell you where to go.
There is one drawback with these types of apps. While they work well and are well designed, making use of different mapping and motoring databases in innovative ways, they do come at a cost. This is where Skobbler comes in, because it offers a slimmed down satnav experience on the iPhone for absolutely nothing at all.
And while some cynics have turned their noses up at the concept of a free sat-nav for the iPhone (particularly those cynics that have paid a lot of cash for a navigation app prior to Skobbler’s arrival on the scene!) a quick road-test of the app confirms that it really does help you get from A to B.
Skobbler still offers enough genuinely useful features to make it a contender for best iPhone navigation app to date. It syncs with your iPod tunes, offers automatic continuation after calls and take-me-home functionality – stuff that is genuinely surprising from a free application. It’s a good indication that open-source mapping could well prove to be the future of satellite navigation software, because Skobbler’s revolutionary OpenStreetMap (OSM) mapping system (“the Wikipedia of maps”) really does work.
Download this app: Skobbler UK/Ireland Lite for iPhone
Take on your mates in a Six Nations (quiz) clash for the ages and win match balls from the competition...
The best of the Beeby Sound
Are we really that obsessed with virtual Polaroids?
Limited ability to save online videos
It’s Wikipedia in an easy to use format
Nothing to be seen here
It’s all the Tom and Jerry cartoons, and it’s brilliant
Loads of effects but get ready to wait
A worthwhile investment into photo editing
A clock you’ll never need
By submitting a comment you agree to our terms and conditions and will be legally responsible for anything you submit. DO NOT submit anything which infringes copyright or is offensive or may otherwise violate the terms and conditions.