The Consumer Reports GPS test team continues to log miles throughout the greater New York City metropolitan area testing iPhone applications. The latest software to be run through the testing gauntlet is iGo My Way, an app from NNG Global Services that has a similar interface to the Nextar 43LT portable navigation device. (See our GPS buying advice and Ratings.)
 
The $80 application includes a map database covering the entire United States and Canada. The price undercuts competing offerings from established GPS companies Navigon and TomTom.
 
Despite its close connection to the Nextar PND, the iGo My Way app features notable improvements on the iPhone platform,, with a more vivid screen, better touch sensitivity, and a more fluid menu structure.
 
Destination programming is eased with predictive data entry, a feature we appreciate on PNDs that grays out impossible letter combinations (based on its database). Once an address is entered, iGo My Way asks for confirmation of the desired route type: Fast, Short, Economical, or Easy.
 

Another feature we like is three-dimensional rendering  major landmarks, such as famous buildings. There is a generous selection of icon vehicles to choose as the navigation pointer.
 
However, like other iPhone applications we have tested, the iGo My Way has compromised GPS accuracy – a trait that appears to be inherent to the phone itself. The GPS will often place the current position on a surrounding road, rather than the road a user is traveling on. This can cause the software to recalculate and confuse the driver.
 
Several shortcomings found in this early version will be addressed in future updates, revealing a key benefit of downloadable software. For those interested in buying an iPhone application, we expect the better software packages to evolve rapidly. If possible, wait a month to read further reviews and allow for updates to be posted to the iTunes store.

Read the full iGo My Way review. See our reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Gokivo, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map for iPhone.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

—Jeff Bartlett and Frank Spinelli