The native mapping application on the BlackBerry PlayBook may be lacking some essential features, and while we all know that's changing, other developers are stepping in to fill that void. o2 interactive has developed one feature-packed map application that also allows for turn-by-turn navigation. One of the biggest selling features in the app is the ability to store up to 2GB of mapping data right on your PlayBook, making this application handy for any cross-border drives where data roaming would typically be an issue.

Features:

  • Map Quest data provider
  • Open Street Maps data provider
  • Easy navigation to accelerate panning and easy finger zooming
  • Multiple types of GPS heads up display
  • Multiple map types including maps, satellite, and hybrid
  • Automatic map caching for off-line usage
  • Real-time traffic for the U.S.
  • Real-time traffic incidents for the U.K.
  • Real-time weather radar overlay for the U.S. Along with radar animation.
  • User-defined Points-Of-Interest markers associated with bookmarks
  • Directions and guidance system

I’ve been using the navigation side of the application for the past two weeks and I must say, it’s pretty rock solid. With the application recalculating your route within seconds of making a wrong turn, you’ll never be too far off from your path. Coming this week I will be traveling to Waterloo to have a visit at RIM HQ and I’ll be using Magellan Compass on my 3-hour drive there. Magellan Compass for the BlackBerry PlayBook can be found in BlackBerry App World for the reasonable price of $5.99. While there are a few features I would like to have, I’m glad that we’re seeing apps like this come to the PlayBook. I’m curious as to which features the CrackBerry Nation would like to see brought to this application so sound off in the comments below. 

Purchase Magellan Compass for the BlackBerry PlayBook

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