‘Scout’ by Telenav Navigation App for iPhone [Review]
Telenav, one of the leading navigation players in the world, has launched an assortment of products in the past — each capable of running on different platforms. During the evolution of the navigation apps, Telenav-powered GPS that comes with a price tag of $4.99 per month had been preferred by many app lovers. It’s also one of the biggest rivals for AT&T Navigator. Scout by Telenav integrates the same technology that comes free for the iPhones. The commuter-focused dashboard that comes with the Telenav-powered devices makes the user’s trip back and forth much easier. However, we can’t deny that Google Maps has much more user-friendly features than the Telenav navigation apps, but the latter is also preferred by many app lovers – thanks to its robust navigation functionalities and added flexibility. All the good features, including the driver-friendly interface, make it a compelling buy for mobile app lovers.
User Interface and POI Search
We tested the Scout on an Apple iPhone 5 (for Verizon) that was driven by the iOS 6.0.2. Here is what we observed: the home screen looks much different shortcut buttons right below the main buttons using which you can find the nearby parking areas, restaurants, shops, and more from most of the other apps out there, but takes you to a 2D or 3D map. The buttons for home and work addresses are big with an ETA for each of it – you’ll find it much easier when you navigate from your current location. You can find the s. The top button is much bigger and makes it easy to operate the search bar where you can easily run your POI searches. Also, there is an exclusive icon to generate weather updates. One area of concern: The app hasn’t been formatted to adopt the iPhone 5’s bigger screen.
Note: Scout has been recently updated to support the iPhone 5.
If you encounter any problem while inputting the street number, just try removing the dash between the numbers (like 30-47), it should be fine. That’s one obstacle we experienced and later sorted out as we were trying to trace our location.
Performance and Conclusions
Just click the navigation button — and your trip takes off right away. The graphics in the Map are clear, and the colors are sharp. We were able to navigate among a number of destinations in New Jersey and New York without any glitch using Scout. As each turn approaches, you’ll hear the app’s loud voice suggesting you which the right route to reach your destination is. Just take a turn when you see a “Green” on the top bar. And there is an icon that is designed to show you the exact distance (in miles/feet) that is required to reach your destination.
Pros
- Accurate direction assistance
- Well-timed loud voice prompts
- Clear and sharp graphics
- Clean user-interface with multiple visual cues
- Simple address entry procedure
Cons
- No 3D lane assistance
- Lack of speed limit signs
- Doesn’t really comply with iPhone 5’s wider screen
- No walking directions
Conclusion
Scout is a great app for iPhone users. There are some nice features which you will love when you are behind the wheels seeking direction assistance. Plus, it’s free!
Travis Ramsy likes writing articles related to Technology News, Gadget Reviews and How To. He also does guest posting for buycharter.com – a site that offers savings and current information on charter tv. You can email him by clicking here.