Arrested Development - Ex-Pats Mexico

Too afraid to even visit the local 'super' Walmart after seeing this website, collection of photos of people who shop there.

http://peopleofwalmart.com/?paged=3

At least compared to the organic farmer & fruit stand down the road.

They look like they are over the age of 18. They can vote for the candidate of their choice. Kinda scary isn't it

Just read in the paper today that Tom Tom just signed a deal with IPhone to supply a GPS software download and an adapter so your IPhone can stick to the window and have a power feed like other GPS units. They say it makes the IPhone just as good as the other GPS units on the market albeit the screen may be a bit smaller. It didn't say what the app will cost to download but the adapter for the window will cost $99.00 (maybe that includes the download fee).

Cheers,

Bob

The TomTom app costs 100 USD and was late coming to the market. I have it and a couple of others and they are basically the same although the Sygic app does include Mexico which TomTom does not. Both offer turn by turn verbal instructions but not TTS. The adapter's release has been delayed until next month. It will attach to the windshield and has a hard wire connection to car stereo with aux input. The distinguishing characteristic from other mounts is this one has a proprietary GPS chip which, purportedly, is better than the one built in to the IPhone and should provide better quality. Anyway, Sygic is still the way to go if you want Mexico directions on an IPhone.

P.S. The adapter can be used with other GPS apps, not just TomTom

Having just posted my experiences using a GPS unit for our Mexico trip, I just thought of a possible limitation or for that matter any phone based navigation system in MX. I believe that the IPhone is based upon the 3G network much the same as my LG Lotus from SPRINT. Thus, you would have to be in an area with coverage in order for the navigation option to work. Based upon our travels in Michoacan and its back roads, I noticed that my phone did not have service in a fair number of areas. The only limitation to the GPS was its ability to receive satellite signals, which we did experience in certain heavily wooded areas.

Hi Neil

Actually, the TomTom, Sygic and most other IPhone gps apps do not need a data connection for use while travelling. The maps are built in to the app. Admittedly it is a huge consumption of the IPhone memory so, if you also have a lot of music and podcasts or movies also on the device, it is best to have at least the 16GB model. The ATT navigator app does, as you have written, require a data connection at all times because it includes real-time traffic reports. They charge $10 per month subscription fee so for most people a downloaded one time paid gps app is best bang for the buck.

The IPhone is an extremely versatile mini-computer. If I could only own one technology gadget, the IPhone would be it.

Austin:
Thanks for the education! I certainly wasn't aware that they worked in the manner you describe.