Magellan RoadMate for iPhone updates with Yelp, Google search
Magellan RoadMate users on the iPhone should have an easier time finding something to eat with version 2.0's Yelp integration.
- North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
Magellan's RoadMate app for iPhone updates today to version 2.0 with a refreshed UI. However, the biggest change is the new POI search, because joining Magellan's standard list of searchable points of interest are new options for Yelp and Google Local.
With Yelp search you can browse all of Yelp's categories and subcategories. Search results include Yelp's star rating for quickly identifying, for example, the best Ethiopian restaurant in your area. Once you've found your destination, the app can call the venue or initiate turn-by-turn directions. Additionally, every search result is a clickable link that takes you to an entry in the Yelp app for iPhone (a free download that must be installed separately) if you need a little more information to help you make your decision. If you're searching for a restaurant that takes reservations, you can even make one using OpenTable. There's a bit of app switching that takes some getting used to, but the flow from search to reservation and back to routing is remarkably smooth thanks to iOS' multitasking function.
Google Local Search is exactly what you'd expect it to be and harnesses the power of Google's search engine to locate points of interest that exist outside of the preloaded Magellan database. We found during our testing that Yelp was best for searching for new places within a category, for example barber shops in downtown San Francisco. On the other hand, Google Local search was best for finding specific POIs, such as Al's Barbershop on Fillmore Street. An active data connection is required to use either of these services.
User interface upgrades include a new map interface that's been optimized for the iPhone's screen real estate. At the bottom or along the right edge, depending on the phone's orientation, is a new collapsible info bar that can be displayed to gain access to the app's menu and information about the current route or hidden to display the map across the full screen. Making its return is Magellan's OneTouch menu, where you can save favorite POIs or searches for quick access.
The 2.0 update to the Magellan RoadMate app hits the iTunes App Store today with versions loading map data for Canada, the United States, or all of North America, for $34.99, $49.99, or $59.99, respectively.