AT&T Releases Turn-by-Turn GPS Navigation for iPhone

With the debut of iPhone 3.0, the long-awaited OS update for the iPhone, the phone is finally capable of turn-by-turn directions. AT&T already offers its TeleNav-based navigation solution on many of its other devices, and it finally made the jump to the iPhone as a free download. However, in order to use the app, the wireless giant will charge $9.99 a month to your account.

"With the new iPhone OS 3.0 software, we're expanding the advantages of true turn-by-turn navigation — both voice and on-screen directions — to millions more customers. We're bringing greater convenience to drivers and travelers nationwide, including providing regular, automatic updates to map information at no charge so customers have the latest at their fingertips," said Mark Collis, AT&T vice president of voice and data products.

The app has all the standard capabilities of a typical GPS unit, with features like the ability to find the lowest gas prices along the route, real-time traffic updates, voice prompting, points of interest, speech recognition and automatic rerouting. One problem is that the maps are not stored on the phone, so if a cellular signal is lost, so is navigation.

Check out the app via AT&T's Web site or iTunes, and act fast because new subscribers get the first 30 days free. Keep in mind that merely deleting the app will not end your subscription to the service — you have to contact the wireless company to cancel it.

Inside Line says: We'll see how AT&T's own navigation solution stacks up against competitors as more apps come out. — Mike Lysaght, Correspondent