Before everyone had Google Maps in their pocket, Garmin was one of the leaders in GPS devices.
Now the company is trying to get back in the game with a new premium GPS app called Viago. But, unlike some of Garmin’s pricier hardware and existing GPS apps, Viago is just $1.99.
The app, which is available for both iOS and Android, offers turn-by-turn directions for regions around the world, including the U.S. and Europe, and displays photorealistic views of highway junctions and interchanges that show you exactly which lane you need to be in.
Though the app will eventually sell for $1.99 — you can grab it for $0.99 until July 13 — some features, including traffic informations and offline maps, will only be available with in-app purchases, which range from $4.99 to $9.99.
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How does Viago stack up to Google Maps, which offers much of the same functionality for free? While Google Maps added more accessible offline maps and lane guidance in its most recent update, the basic version of Viago does offer some features Google Maps does not.
Notably, Garmin’s route guidance supports multiple destinations, meaning you can get directions to multiple locations along the same route without searching for your new destination each time. The app includes speed-limit information for your route and will display your own speed while driving. It also integrates weather data and will show you the current conditions, along with a three-day forecast.
For those willing to pay a little more for an in-app purchases, the app also offers real-time traffic updates, safety alerts, and “real directions,” which provide directions based on landmarks and other visual cues rather than street names (e.g “turn left after the clock tower”).
Date: June 16, 2014