Michael Hoffmann works as Head of Corporate Communication at Navigon, the german firm that released the first and only (at the moment) full navigation software on the App Store.
Mobile Navigator Europe is offered at a special introductory price of 79.90 Euro until the end of the month and, as well the reports from our forumers are true, it’s having a good response from iPhone users.
Macitynet:
You are the first company to release a commercial version of a voice assisted turn by turn navigator for iPhone. How long have you been developing the iPhone version?
Hoffmann:
We cannot say exactly how many days but for sure we can talk about several months. What I’d like to stress is that we have definitely been very quick and ready even earlier than expected.
Macitynet:
What was the response in the first few days on the App Store?
Hoffmann:
We have already noticed great response, much more than expected. But of course today it is too early to make a proper evaluation.
Macitynet:
The first version contains a full version of European Maps at a special price. What will be the price of this version after the introduction offer? And are you going to offer maps for other regions as well?
Hoffmann:
The price will be 99 Euro later on. We will also have regional maps which will be available within the days, including Italy of course. Moreover we will have a North America map and an Australian one.
[note from Macitynet: Italian Map is out today at 49,99 Euro]
Macitynet:
Have you set a sell price for the National versions?
Hoffmann:
The regional version will cost 69,99 Euro regular price, but there will be a “time limited price” of 49,99 Euro before.
Macitynet:
If I have a complete european cartography and I want to update only one nation (I.e. Italy) is there a way to do it without buying the application again and what will be the price?
Hoffmann:
For the time being we offer actual current and up to date map material and, of course, we will offer updates. Additional solutions, which cannot be defined at the moment, will be available later on.
Macitynet:
Will you use the Store in Store feature for this kind of feature?
Hoffmann:
It’s not decided yet.
Macitynet:
One of the features that people is missing the most is Speed Camera (Autovelox) POI list. We have noticed that Navigon releases a separate software for its standalone navigators: are you going to release a standalone software in the App store or are you going to integrate this function in the next version of the software, also allowing users to upload the data from different sources?
Hoffmann:
We cannot communicate it now. We will do it later on providing exact and accurate additional information.
Macitynet:
Are you going to release special versions with reduced capabilities?
Hoffmann:
Yes we will very soon!
Macitynet:
As second generation iPod touch gained the capability of talking with external accessories via Bluetooth do you think it will be possible to run your application on the less expensive Apple’s touch device and manage an external GPS receiver trough BT connection?
Hoffmann:
At the moment the Lite Version of the Mobile Navigator can be used on iPod touch as soon as it is available. The Lite version will only provide the possibility to work with the map material, have a simulation mode and POIS along the route.
Check our screenshot galleries on this pagee and on this page to see how the interface looks like.
