The download is live in the App Market—just grab the newest version of Maps, and Nav is included—and Google's free turn-by-turn navigation software is mostly identical to the version found on the Droid. Mostly:

Some features of Android 2.0 are not available on Android 1.6, for example, the ability to use the "navigate to" voice command as shown in our demo video. However, you can still create a shortcut that will allow you to launch Navigation and start getting directions to a specific place from your current location with just a single touch from your home screen. For example, you can create a "Home" shortcut to quickly navigate home, no matter where you are. Just use the "Add" menu item from the home screen, then choose "Shortcuts", then "Directions." Please visit our forum to give us feedback, or our Help Center to get help using Google Maps Navigation.

Still though, free turn-by-turn for all, unless you have a Hero or one of Samsung's ditties, for which you are permitted to make one (1) extremely sad face. Let us know how it works in the comments. [Google]

Debuting at $80 (and presumably climbing to $100 later), RoadMate recreates as much of the Magellan dedicated PND experience as possible, which means the interface is a full conversion—there's very little in the way of iPhone-ness here, even down to a replacement keyboard. In addition, it falls on the conservative side of the map storage debate, holding its data locally—great for when you might be in a bad service area, but not so great if you don't want to set aside 1.3GB of space for an app.

The rest of the feature list is appropriate to the price: spoken street names, simulated lane guidance, 3D landmarks, in-app music controls and address book integration are all there, as are a few newbies like a "Find Your Car" GPS function and a pedestrian mode, and a "OneTouch" menu, which is basically a panel of search shortcuts for stuff like pizza and nearby gas stations.

I can't pass judgment on this app without running it through its paces (which yes, we will do eventually) but it comes at an awkward time. While cheap apps have been nipping at the heels of more expensive, prestige brand apps for a few months now, Google's telegraphed their intention to nuke the hell out of everyone, someday, which can't be the best way to lead into a new product launch. RoadMate is available in the App Store now. [Magellan]

To recap the only review we've ever written that didn't even have a "Good" section, the Nuvifone was a failure in about every way that the once-hot handset could've been: It's crashy, it's got a clunky resistive screen, the browser is really, really tough to use, and camera sometimes works, there's a $5/month charge for basic services like weather, traffic and local events, the battery life is horrendous, and the OS acts like a navigation unit firmware with tumorous telecommunications outgrowth. And oh god, that price: $300 with an AT&T contract, which is about how much it'd cost you to buy one iPhone 3G with TomTom and Navigon apps.

So yeah, a price drop was all but inevitable, but it's heartening to see it happen this soon, even if not by Garmin's hand. Next stop: 0. [Amazon via Engadget]

MapQuest Navigator is network-based, like the similarly-position MotionX GPS Drive, which brings a distinct set of advantages and disadvantages: The lack of a large local cache frees up space on your iPhone, and since it's stored on MapQuest's servers, the map and POI data your seeing is always up to date; that said, if you lose network coverage, well, you're boned.

Being a subscription-based service, it's been tagged with a (Apple-mandatory) token price of $1, with monthly, quarterly and yearly rates of $4, $10 and $30, respectively—a mite pricier than MotionX. Early App Store reviews point to a barebones, rough-around-the-edges app—portrait orientation is the only display option, routing can be iffy, and it's got some in-app advertising—but given that it includes traffic data and does generally appear to work, MapQuest Navigator looks like one of the better deals going right now. [iTunes via AppleInsider]

The video explains the service in detail but, in a nutshell, Waze maps are entirely user generated. Users can also relay a heads up to others about accidents and other hazardous driving conditions. It even plays a Pac-Man type of game with drivers who are exploring uncharted territory. As you map the area, your car icon will eat up dots and collect points. Apparently, the app also pays attention to your speed to help determine traffic conditions and disable the keyboard to prevent users from typing while driving.

The problem here is that crowd-sourced services have had limited success in the past, so Waze is fighting an uphill battle. But since it is free, it's not like you have anything to lose by giving it a shot. Waze is available for iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile, Symbian and other devices. [Waze via TechCrunch]

I've seen the feature in action, and it's about as seamless as traffic integration gets. Data is drawn from a massive fleet of devices, Navigon and otherwise, curated by a third party, and fed live into the app. Each traffic obstruction is listed individually, so you can choose to avoid one while weathering another, or just see what you're up against. This, combined with historical traffic data, means you're probably going to be able to trust Navigon's traffic-avoiding routes, or at least, you know, respectfully disagree.

But eh, that price: This (one time) $25 add-on, which is probably the highest in-app purchase price I've seen so far, brings the total cost of MobileNavigator to $115. Best case scenario, this'll give the other nav app makers, who are kind of taking a beating, saleswise, a little plan for a comeback: free live traffic. TomTom? TeleNav? Anyone? [Navigon]

Aside from a presumed, ritualistic bug-stamping, the app has gained a new text-to-speech feature, which tries its best to fully pronounce road names and locations as it barks driving orders at you. The update also throws in a clever, one-click internal control interface for music, meaning that you don't have to close the app to get music controls beyond that gimped popup display that we've all grown to hate over the years.

The location sharing function is a little less exciting (only email, really?) but with a $10 price lead on TomTom (at least in America) the whole package is looking pret-tay good right now. The update is free for existing users, and included in any new downloads. [Navigon]

NAVIGON Further Extends the Feature Set of its iPhone Navigation App
Second free update includes major additions such as spoken street names (text-to-speech), seamless integration of iPod functions, a location sharing feature and more

Hamburg/Germany, September 10, 2009 - NAVIGON AG, leading innovator in the navigation market, today announced availability of a second free update for the North American version of MobileNavigator for the iPhone. The update equips the NAVIGON app with a comprehensive set of innovative and sought after features.

The highly anticipated text-to-speech function lets the NAVIGON MobileNaviagtor announce street names in addition to turn-by-turn directions. It is the first on-board navigation app for the iPhone with this functionality. Instead of only stating "turn right", the app informs the user to "turn right on to ‘Main Street', enabling the driver to further concentrate on the road ahead and not become distracted looking for street signs. "With the addition of text-to-speech technology from SVOX, NAVIGON remains on the forefront of iPhone navigation options with the most solid feature set on the market," said Gerhard Mayr, Vice-President Worldwide Mobile Phones & New Markets at NAVIGON. "SVOX offers high quality text-to-speech technology, characterized by a natural and clear sound as well as a unique polyglot capability – the same voice can speak multiple languages like a native speaker," said Eric Lehmann, Chief Sales Officer of SVOX.

NAVIGON, from the outset is committed to not only setting the industry standard for navigation capabilities on the iPhone, but also integrates iPhone-specific functionalities. The new update is the next step in this direction with seamless integration of iPod controls. Drivers can now enjoy the full range of iPod functionalities with a simple one-click from map access to artists, titles, albums, audio books, podcasts and playlist selections. The feature also takes advantage of the shuffle, and automatic playlist generating technology within iPod. The driver can listen to songs again or leave it to the device to generate a random selection.

A new location sharing function makes it convenient to meet-up with friends and acquaintances, on the go. Users can share their own location, an address or a point of interest (POI) such as a restaurant or museum via email. If the recipients are MobileNavigator users, a simple link-tap provides the exact address. The navigation software starts automatically when the link is activated and guides the user directly to the destination, without having to input locations, and waiting for the search results. In addition, the app routinely changes the maps colors switching it between Day and Night Mode determined by time and location. This guarantees optimal display visibility at all times and allows drivers to recognize the route as quickly as possible to improve orientation.

The MobileNavigator transforms any iPhone 3G, equipped with the new Apple OS 3.0 operating system, and any iPhone 3G S into a complete navigation device. It is the only iPhone navigation app on the market featuring Reality View™ Pro which displays 3D views of complex highway interchanges and exits helping drivers to orientate. Also unique are the branded POI's along the route which make it easier to spot any points of interest that are on the way.

The NAVIGON solution sells for $89.99 in the Apple App Store and is equipped with maps of North America from NAVTEQ®. There are no subscription fees attached and no map downloads during navigation. The update is also already available for regional country versions of the MobileNavigator across Europe as well as for the Australian app.

Even at the eventual full price of $100 it's still a solid deal, since most big-name navigation apps charge a monthly fee, which seems to be settling across the App Store at about $10. That's a lot of upkeep, which would surpass Navigon's one-off charge well within a year, and keep going, well, forever. But $70 is still a lot, so before you take the plunge, here's what you get:

• 3D views with actual road signs and lane guidance
• Lane Maps
• Speed warnings
• Day & Night Mode for map display.
• Navigation to contacts saved in the iPhone's address book.
• Branded POIs and POIs along the route
• 2D and 3D map view
• Automatic switch between portrait and landscape format
• Intelligent address entry

It's intended to be a full PND replacement, and the European version has gotten pretty solid reviews as such. Full press release below.

NAVIGON Launches iPhone GPS Navigation for North America

First on-board iPhone solution from a major navigation company now available in the App Store

Hamburg/Germany, JULY 22, 2009 - NAVIGON AG, the leading innovator in the navigation market, today announced the availability of a North American version of its on-board navigation software in the iPhone App Store. The MobileNavigator transforms any iPhone 3G, equipped with the new Apple OS 3.0 operating system, and any iPhone 3G S into a complete navigation device.

Following its successful launch in Europe last month, NAVIGON is the first major navigation company to launch an on-board navigation solution for the iPhone in North America. In more than ten European countries*, the app was ranked within the top three of all paid applications in the Apple Store in the first week.

Compared to off-board navigation, NAVIGON's on-board approach has a clear advantage: After downloading the GPS application, the software and map data is saved directly on the device. This means that users don't have to pay subscription fees or wait for map downloads during the navigation. The software includes many of NAVIGON's hallmark navigation functions such as Reality View™ Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, Speed Assistant and Day & Night Mode. It also features NAVIGON's sophisticated and elegant map views including branded POIs along the route. NAVIGON will even add more features with software updates later this year. The only requirement for using the MobileNavigator on the iPhone is the new Apple OS 3.0 operating system.

"By making the MobileNavigator for the iPhone available for users in North America, we are taking another major step towards the future market of GPS navigation on mobile phones," said Egon Minar, CEO of NAVIGON AG. "The combination of NAVIGON's signature navigation features with typical functions from the iPhone creates an integrated and unique experience." The map display, for example, switches automatically from portrait to landscape view as soon as the iPhone is turned 90 degrees. There is also the option of navigating directly to an address from saved contacts. If the iPhone is used for talking on the phone during navigation, the software resumes automatically after the call has ended. Furthermore, the multi touch function of the iPhone is integrated into the app and allows users to easily zoom in and out the map view with two fingers.

The NAVIGON solution sells for $99.99 and is equipped with maps of North America from NAVTEQ®. It will be available for a promotional price of $69.99 until August 15.

For more information and FAQs, please visit: www.navigon.com/iphone. A video of the MobileNavigator for the iPhone can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/kq2a5q. You can also follow us on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/NAVIGON_. Contact Johan-Till Broer (details below) for images.

Key features of the NAVIGON MobileNavigator for the iPhone:

Reality View™ Pro displays photo-realistic 3D views with actual road signs and lane guidance for virtually every highway interchange and exit drivers will encounter.
Lane Assistant Pro helps drivers prepare to make an upcoming exit or turn by providing a lane map complete with arrows and actual road geometry.
Speed Assistant with adjustable audio-visual warning.
Day & Night Mode for map display.
Direct Access allows navigation to contacts saved in the iPhone's address book.
Branded POIs and POIs along the route
2D and 3D map view.
Automatic switch between portrait and landscape format.
Intelligent address entry.
Real signpost display.
*Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland

Check back tomorrow for more details.

The service, which will run $10 a month, looks like it includes all the trappings of a standalone GPS unit: Voice-recognition for hands-free control, live traffic updates, a hefty POI database including restaurant reviews and gas prices, and a great-looking 3D interface.

The UI here looks really superb, which is heartening, as it's one of the first Android apps to hit from a major CE development shop. Hopefully they'll bundle a car charger with this though, because the G1's battery would definitely feel the hurt from something like this.

The app will be out on February 24 with a free one-month trial before the monthly charges kick in. [TeleNav]

The main issue with AndNav2 is availability, as their site lists versions for Germany, France, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Ireland, but not the US. This could be an exclusion based on insufficient mapping data for the country, but in any case there's no reason that you couldn't install the British version and at least try it. The alpha release of AndNav2 is available here.

UPDATE: Nicolas Gramlich, the man behind AndNav, got in touch to let us know why there's no US version: logistics. Opening the app to running routes through North America would require a much larger server than the one they're using right now, for which the developers are trying to secure donations (you know, from you). And honestly, the app is free, so settle down, quit yer whinin', etc. [AndNav via MobilitySite]

According to Joswiak, David Pogue's report that the iPhone's GPS antenna is too weak for real-time navigation is false. He cites "complicated issues" as holding up development, but expects to be "dazzled" by software makers in the near future. When pressed about the availability of an office suite, he says that the lack of a cross-application file structure would make such programs difficult to design. Though honestly, I'm not even sure I'd want a text editor if I couldn't select or copy text. [ExtremeTech via Crunchgear]

The benefits of using AAA is that you can have access to their Diamond Ratings (hotels, restaurants) and find points of interest in their TourBook guide. There's even options for finding AAA-approved auto repair facilities, which is useful if you're taking a cross country trip in that beater you own.

Sprint only:

Samsung M500, Samsung M510, Sanyo SCP-7050, Sanyo M1, Sanyo SCP-8400, Sanyo MM-9000, Sanyo SCP-3200 and LG 550 (Fusic).

[AAA via Crunchgear]