We’ve reported in the past that Apple is looking to update the Maps.app in their iOS software. Outside of turn by turn directions and Street View, the application is fairly limited in its current form. This has allowed other companies like Navigon and TomTom to compete in the App Store with their GPS applications, derived from years of navigation experience.If Apple is looking to compete with the heavyweights, they really need to beef up the Maps.app’s feature set. Obviously we all hope to see spoken turn by turn directions added, but what other functions would you want in an iOS navigation app?
Personally, I wouldn’t mind Apple improving the bookmarking option. Over the last few weeks I have been apartment hunting. In a larger city, trying to find a place to live amongst hundreds of different places can be a daunting task. Not only are you looking to stay in a certain price range, you usually have other criteria that you try to meet.
Throughout my hunt, I found myself using the native iOS Maps application. While it got me from place to place, it did little to help me keep track of the different properties I had visited. The bookmark feature in the stock Maps application leaves a lot to be desired.
That’s where GPS Bookmarker comes in. It allows you to save locations along with pictures, notes, and voice recordings. You can even file different locations into categories. For example, if you frequent multiple locations for work, you can place them in a ‘Work’ category.
This application would be particularly helpful in a mission to find a new place to live. You could photograph each property, make a note about the price of each one, and even record voice notes of particular things you liked about the different places. You could even use GPS Bookmarker to keep track of where you left your car. Just use the voice note option to remember which section and row you parked in.
GPS Bookmarker will run you three bucks in iTunes. I think I’d rather see this implemented as a feature in the native Maps.app, than use it as a standalone 3rd party app. Hopefully we will see something like this when Apple updates their Maps software, possibly in iOS 5.
Have you tried GPS BookMarker? Do you have a favorite app that bookmarks locations?
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