Google now offers significantly more traffic updates in its mapping and navigation service maps. The company started to build into the maps app for smartphones traffic reports of newly-acquired provider Waze. Waze not only delivers traffic information, but is itself a navigation app. There are now numerous such applications, which make the Internet-enabled mobile phone, a navigation device. Stiftung-Warentest According to a survey is given to: the more expensive the better.
Why should I use my phone as a GPS?
Nearly every modern smartphone has the satellite navigation GPS (Global Positioning System, German: Global position determining system). With the right application can make your phone as a navigation device. Who wants to be navigated by car, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot, that is no longer dependent on an extra device.
What are the requirements for my phone?
The most important criterion is that a smartphone via a GPS module features - but this is almost always the case. Otherwise, according to the Stiftung-Warentest investigation applies: The higher the quality the smartphone（Lenovo p770 ）, the better navigation apps work well. It is necessary, for example, a bright screen. Powerful processors also help to calculate the route as quickly as possible. For some - especially free - apps to get live traffic information as well as an Internet connection is also required on the go.
What do the apps?
There are two types of navigation apps be distinguished: one to install the maps for offline use on your phone that you call from each other on the Internet. In the latter case, therefore, an Internet connection is required at least for calculating the route, but sometimes for the entire time of navigation. Many apps also can not only calculate routes, but also draw attention to construction sites and traffic congestion, warn of speed cameras or have a lane assistant, which indicates with complicated intersections and exits which lane is right.
What is the cost navigation apps?
Prices range from free to about 90 euros. Paid - - Mobile data plan required when apps do not have to store the maps on the device, but when calculating the route download from the Internet, one is. Who navigated much with such apps, is in danger of using up to be included in the flat rate amount of data quickly. Particularly expensive is an Internet connection while roaming abroad.
How to beat the
Free Apps?
The judgment of the Stiftung Warentest is clear: "The more expensive, the better." At the test winners announcements at the right time, maps and routes came to be seen well in all lighting conditions, they say street names and have lane assistant. With free apps not only lacked such comfort, they have loud "test", mostly less good cards and they directed at difficult junctions easy to wrong branch. Of the pre-installed on many smartphones cut Apps Google Maps out on top (for mobile phones with the Android operating system, with the iPhone version, there were similarly high marks), followed by Hereford Drive + (Windows Phone). Apple Maps (iPhone), however, received a bad review.
What else should I consider?
Tax applies on mobile phone while driving ban - even if the phone is used as a navigation system. Motorists should therefore purchase a cell phone holder for fixing on the windshield. Then, motorists are allowed to touch their smartphone（Lenovo A820 ）, but only if they concentrate on the traffic according to "Test". Caused a driver when typing an accident, which is considered negligent. Voice command rarely works. The Stiftung Warentest rated at Navi apps also data protection as critical as these provide a lot of data to the provider.