Navigon overtakes TomTom with first UK sat-nav app for iPhone

By Rich Trenholm on 25 June 2009, 4:01pm

The first UK-based turn-by-turn sat-nav app for the iPhone has reached its destination: Navigon MobileNavigator has pulled into the App Store.

MobileNavigator covers all of Europe, and a UK-only version is available now. Maps are stored on the phone, so you don't have to worry about losing your Internet coverage when driving more than 3 feet out of a city. Sadly, that does mean it's a rather porky 3GB download.

TomTom's turn-by-turn nav app was one of the headline-grabbers at the WWDC keynote that saw the 3GS unveiled. But Sygic Mobile Maps, guiding Australian iPhone users, was the first turn-by-turn nav app to hit the App Store (a European version of Mobile Maps is in the works). Navigon has now nipped in like a youth on a scooter, swerving past TomTom and Sygic in a daring overtaking manoeuvre.

If you're planning to do more European travelling than Graeme Souness, Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan ever managed, it's worth investing in the version that includes 40 European countries for £65. If not, the UK and Ireland version is available now for £38. Don't hang about though, because that price will go up to £55 in July.

A free version of MobileNavigator is also en route. It won't give actual route guidance but will show points of interest, and will work on the iPod touch.