Best deals on iPhone navigation apps for Black Friday

With our coverage of the best GPS deals for Black Friday, and our GPS picks among the deep-discount offers, we'd be remiss if we didn't also take a look at an increasingly popular segment, the iPhone apps. Some apps have special pricing right now, but just like with traditional navigators, there is more to making a selection than dollars.
 
Since iPhone OS 3.0 hit the market, there has been a wave of navigation applications from small companies and corporate giants. Most will get you from Point A to Point B, but there is definite variation in how easy they are to use, what features they include, and how well integrated into the iPhone they are. These differences can be very hard to track, as the software in many cases is routinely updated with greater frequency—like every few weeks—than portable navigation devices.
 
iPhone app updates
The biggest names in iPhone apps have recently updated their software, including Navigon, Sygic, and TomTom.
 
Despite fierce competition, the $90 Mobile Navigator remains one of the best navigation apps available for the iPhone, serving as a viable alternative to a traditional PND. Adding to its appeal is the new Traffic Live information, available for an additional $25 one-time fee.

Sygic Mobile Maps was updated this week with freshened maps and several detailed tweaks that should improve the user experience. Priced at $40, it is an affordable alternative to the more feature-rich, name-brand offerings. (See our Sygic Mobile Maps review.)
 
TomTom recently added spoken street names, lane guidance/reality view, help menu, iPod player control, and updated maps. Further, it has launched a dedicated iPhone mount with a built-in speaker and GPS receiver for improved performance. At $100, the TomTom app is not an inexpensive solution, though thanks to the latest updates, it does effectively replicate the guidance found on the company's PNDs. The complete combination is a significant $220. However, TomTom is offering the software for $70 until November 30th. (See our TomTom app review.)

All three apps performed well in our formal tests.
 
Black Friday pricing
Navigon is offering its Mobile Navigator for $70. In addition, the traffic package is just $15. Combined there is a potential $30 savings, with the complete cost being just $85 – less than even the best deals on portable navigation devices. 

CoPilot Live is also discounted for the shopping holiday, priced at just $20. While we have found the CoPilot is not on par with the better apps, it is a good value at $20.

The cheapest nav app is called Waze, and the price is free. An intriguing concept with real geek appeal, Waze is based on the open-source United States Census Bureau Tiger Map and it is depending on users to build and correct maps. It is in an early build phase. Though it was updated just this week, it should not be considered a primary navigation aid, yet. (See our Waze review.)

See our Black Friday survival guide for tips on making the most of the shopping holiday.

Bottom line
Looking across the growing offerings, there are many choices for iPhone users interested in adding true turn-by-turn navigation to their all-in-one device. We recommend reading our reviews, based on formal laboratory and real-world testing, as well as scanning the user reviews in the iTunes store of the latest software version.
 
For those looking to purchase a gift for an iPhone owner, an iTunes gift card may be a good choice, though do understand, the offers mentioned here will soon expire.

See our full reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, Waze, and X Road G-Map for iPhone. And our Motorola Droid navigation review.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

  — Jeff Bartlett