iTeach Contest: Navigation Apps

What are Navigation Apps?

This are application that provides it's user with some valuable directions in real time for navigation. Other details provided by navigation apps are maps, routes, distances, traffic conditions, elevation and depression, estimated travel time, alternative route, suggested routes, views, facilities and resources with lots more.

Why we need them
This apps serve as guides for new tourists who have never been to the area. Even as a user who is familiar with the area and terrain, we may still need a map that is up to date.

It makes sure we don't get lost and in case we are lost, this helps us find our way. Providing us with mapping services and onscreen prompt with voice.

My favorite navigation App?

There are a large number of navigation apps with each one having unique characteristics, features and vulnerabilities. Here I have made a list of some navigation apps which I arranged in no specific order.
√ Google maps
√ GPS Route Finder & Navigator
√ OpenStreet maps
√ Komoot trails and routes
√ All trails
√ Gaia GPS
√ Apple Maps.
√ etc
My favorite among this list is Google Map but due to the fact that I have previously discussed it and it was exempted in this contest, I will select and analyse my second best navigation application which happens to be the GPS Route Finder.

_{A screenshot of the GPS Route Finder Application}

Share a brief history about the App

The first version of GPS Route Finder by Pixamattics inc, live Earth camera GPS navigationwas relieved on the 30^th day of July 2021. Version 1.15 of GPS Route Finder was released on the 22^nd of September 2022. Though the app is relatively new, the application has More than 100,000 users. It has a download size of 3.18Mb

Some unique features of the GPS Route Finder

Runs On-line
You will have to be online with a fast internet connection to enjoy the beauty and power of GPS Route Finder. It has a lot of features similar to Google map, any user of Google map will find the interface easy to use.

Very detailed
The app carry details information about places and will always display your current position based on the internal compass on your device aligning it with your direction of movement when on the go mode.

Map Overlay
The application allows you to display a layer type carrying a specific type of information but you can also display additional two layers.

Bicycle and pedestrian routes
The map has provisions for foot path and biker paths with navigation modes for both. It has options to display your speed and current altitude.

Using the app for navigation

Install the application on your phone

Note that the application is selective of devices and has

Loading the application

Select Route finder

This is what you get as your main screen. You can either browse to or enter your destination while the app will use GPS to locate your current position.

You have the option to navigate while driving a car, on a bicycle or motorcycle and on foot.

This is the destination input screen, you can type in your destination (Uyo Nigeria) or browse to the destination or select from previously visited places.

Once the route is set, you get the screenshot above with a route path set based on shortest distance.
If you should use the go button, the system will lead you to the destination.

How often I have been using this App

And the average, I use this app once every week when travelling to Port Harcourt and other places. I also use it when travelling to part of my town that have never been into.

My experience with the app

The last time I used to application, a client took me to a remote village and the road was winding, so on our way back, I use another route out of the village and he was surprised and asked if I've ever been to that village. I told him that I've never been there that I was using my phone to find my way out and he learnt learnt a shorter way out of his in-law's village.

The updates I would love to see implemented

While the app is good at telling highways from minor roads, I will love the app to be updated so that it can tell us the state of the roads. It will be good to have a potholes alert for Nigerian roads and identify blocked or under construction.

what I will love to modify on the app

If the app can you tell us traffic conditions on the road it would be a very great improvement. This will help us avoid areas with dense traffic.