The best thing about the AT&T Navigator app is that it gets you there, an essential quality for iPhone apps in the navigation category. It has some bells and whistles, but they won’t get you through traffic any faster. But, if you have your iPhone, you can travel a direct route with full knowledge of all the bars and bagel shops you will pass. That must count for something.
The AT&T Navigator has some welcome features. Chief among them is the option of phoning it in while the screen is lit lit. Its voice-recognition system prompts you through a series of questions to determine where you want to go. As you hang up the phone, it loads your destination into the app. The only drawback is putting up with the illusion that the robotic woman in the app knows or cares about what you are saying.
You can search for your destination by business type, intersection or address. You can go by speed, traffic optimization, highway or street preferences, or even as a pedestrian. Search for businesses, and it will provide phone numbers, addresses, directions, and even ratings. The app also allows you to search gas stations by price per gallon.
AT&T Navigator is able to check traffic along your route, warn you about congestion and map alternate routes if you want them. On the other hand, it restricts its intelligence to highways with traffic sensors.
On the downside, it takes a while to load unless you have a great connection. It also may be a free app, but it charges you $9.99 per month on your iPhone bill.
It is safe to say that if Columbus had the AT&T Navigator, he would probably have found India. The only danger here is that it is pretty engrossing, and if you are not careful … it could become a real killer app. Drive safe.
