Yeah, it's a huge disappointment that they're going the route of one less choices with the one large seamless map. Even TomTom and iGO/OCN can at least have individual state maps on the card instead of a map of the entire U.S.
Maybe we're wrong and they will give the option to create smaller maps. We'll just have to see. Anyone with links to screenshots?
I may be alone, but I rather like the idea of a seamless map with the whole US on it I have been using my 1gb sd card for individual states, but now I will us that card for back ups and maybe music and put the maps on my 4gb cf card.
I'm especially looking forward to updated POI after driving through Indy looking for a particular restaurant only to find it wasn't there anymore
I think the disappointment is only in that if that is the only thing available then people who had smaller cards can't use it without getting a bigger card. Some have only loaded the few states that they travel in and can use an old small card that they already had. Personally I have everything seamlessly on one card and wouldn't have it any other way. But I do understand the issue too. Maybe they didn't document it right and both options are there.
... having a difficult time deciding whether to go with this upgrade or consider switching to OCN6... hmmm. I may try OCN6 before upgrading iGuidance, particularly after Jake Rich's review of OCN6.
I've obviously not tried iGuidance 4, but I was a user of IG2 and IG3. I recently purchased OCN6 and can't imagine going back to iGuidance. OCN6 feels better to me in nearly every way, though a lot of that is probably subjective.
I haven't seen a lot of info on IG4, but it sounds to me like IG3.5, not 4. I'll be curious to see the reviews and screenshots after its release, but I doubt it'll win me back from OCN6.
From reading the review on gpspassion, it seems there is only one seamless map - confirmed by someone who's actually tested the release version.
Here's a demo of the TTS feature of iGuidance 4: Created by Camtasia Studio 4
Thanks for the heads up on the demo, Solara. I don't know about you guys, but I don't like the two different voices. Sounds to me like something that was tossed together at the last minute just to get it out the door. I know that's not true, but it just doesn't sound right.
I'm not saying it's a great implementation of TTS, but that's the way my brother's in-car nav works/sounds... and it's not iG4. There's two not-so-subtly different voices for the TTS vs the rest. I'll report back with a brand when I get in touch with him, for those who are curious.
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I'm having a hard time figuring out what makes this worthy of a full version upgrade. TTS and newer maps (though still only 3Q 2006) doesn't seem like a very big deal to me. The lack of a comprehensive preview or even screen shots this close to release suggests to me a real yawner.
Maybe they've just succumbed to the old "it's June, time to release another version" thing.
I'm having a hard time figuring out what makes this worthy of a full version upgrade. TTS and newer maps (though still only 3Q 2006) doesn't seem like a very big deal to me. The lack of a comprehensive preview or even screen shots this close to release suggests to me a real yawner.
Maybe they've just succumbed to the old "it's June, time to release another version" thing.
Yeah this looks more like a version 3.x to me and I'm not overly thrilled with V3. It's OK but that's it, just OK. After Jake's review of OCN6, if I upgrade it will likely be to OCN6, not IG4. I'll wait and see what the verdict is after IG4 is out for a few weeks.
Maybe they've just succumbed to the old "it's June, time to release another version" thing.
The nice lady told me that they will not release only a map update like TT for example. They coincide their new software release with the map upgrade. She also told me that they aim for a june/july release with a previous year q3 maps like it was the case last year also.
Whether you call it 3.5 or 4.0 really doesn't matter. The fact of the matter is that new maps cost the developer money (I would guess it's the bulk of their costs) - and they have to recoup that money by charging an upgrade/new price for it. EVERY player in the market does the same thing.
I can understand why people would appreciate the single seamless map - but those people seem to forget that that's always been available since the first version - just in a bigger file. So the only difference with the new seamless map is that it's smaller now. If iGuidance were smart, they would have on the DVD not only the seamless maps, but single state maps as well as regional maps. It would certainly fit on one standard DVD easily.
And I sure hope they make the TTS feature OPTIONAL. Why they didn't use the same voice for both the regular commands and the TTS has me baffled. I think they should have done more market research before putting this product out.
Whether you call it 3.5 or 4.0 really doesn't matter. The fact of the matter is that new maps cost the developer money (I would guess it's the bulk of their costs) - and they have to recoup that money by charging an upgrade/new price for it. EVERY player in the market does the same thing.
I can understand why people would appreciate the single seamless map - but those people seem to forget that that's always been available since the first version - just in a bigger file. So the only difference with the new seamless map is that it's smaller now. If iGuidance were smart, they would have on the DVD not only the seamless maps, but single state maps as well as regional maps. It would certainly fit on one standard DVD easily.
And I sure hope they make the TTS feature OPTIONAL. Why they didn't use the same voice for both the regular commands and the TTS has me baffled. I think they should have done more market research before putting this product out.
I agree, the number doesn't matter. Software developers must come out with new versions to maintain the revenue stream, but the new versions must have some benefit for the end-user. What matters is the improvements to the software... are they worth the cost of the upgrade? Typically, full version upgrades should be worth the upgrade cost and incrementals less so. Based upon what I've seen and read, IG4 seems more incremental to me, thus it may not be worth the upgrade cost, especially when compared to OCN6. I'll wait and see what the reviewers and masses have to say before upgrading.
I thought the old map logic was OK - you could create any map combo you wanted. Different voices smacks of 'limited budget' and 'get it out the door quick'.
Typically, full version upgrades should be worth the upgrade cost and incrementals less so. Based upon what I've seen and read, IG4 seems more incremental to me, thus it may not be worth the upgrade cost, especially when compared to OCN6.
Exactly. I purchased IG2, and upgraded to IG3. I felt as if IG3 had enough interface enhancements to warrant the upgrade. So far, I'm not seeing a thing about IG4 that makes me want to buy it yet again. And the fact that we've seen little with regards to advance reviews or previews (we had loads of screen shots lat year before IG3 came out) tells me there's not going to be much to shout about.
Anyway, I recently moved on to OCN6, largely due to the ease of managing an itinerary. The fact that it's much prettier doesn't hurt either.
One comment on map costs. The map database vendors such as Navteq, charge the routing software makers what ends up being about 50% of the cost of the package for every license they issue. That's EVERY license, so when they offer an "update" that counts as a new license for which they must pay. And the databases need to be customized by the software vendor to fit with their own data and security schemes because Navteq, et al, distribute the data in their own format, so in addition to the outright license cost there are labor costs involved in the database conversion and integration. That economic reality is why very few companies offer just updated maps--the cost for them would be pretty high, people would complain about how they might as well just buy another product, etc, etc. So when companies like iGuidance offer any upgrade discount they are trying to keep their customer base loyal to them by making it slightly better to stick with what you know than to risk a new product.
Just thought you ought to know how the market works.
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I have been using my 1gb sd card for individual states, but now I will us that card for back ups and maybe music and put the maps on my 4gb cf card. 
