David Marcucci's Doorstep

With the release of AOL’s MapQuest Mobile 4 the iPhone gets free turn by turn navigation with voice prompts, something we’ve all been waiting for. The only problem, AOL gave it to us in the buggiest app I have ever used, and I have used a lot of apps on my iPhone

Seriously, I can’t even remember all the things I did that made this app crash there were so many, but I’ll highlight a few big ones. Turning on sound navigation prompts (the default is voice prompts) made it crash. Adding multiple stops in the directions screen made it crash. Once it crashed when I changed the route options (turning on “avoid highways”) but it did work later. It also crashed once when I plugged in the FM transmitter/car charger while the app was running but it did work one other time.

It also has it’s little quirks. For example, when you do get the settings to change you need to restart the app for them to take affect. Also, when you go “off route” a nice little button comes up to ask if you want to reroute. If you press no or don’t press anything for a period of time it goes into the “off route” mode where it will not recalculate or start directions again unless you get back on course.

So my vote? It’s a keeper! Surprised? Well, it is free, the directions it gave me were correct, and, as long as you keep the settings set to the defaults and enter only one destination it works great! Also, the prompts are dead one and not disruptive. There are two warnings and a “turn now” and the turn now cue is right at the correct time. A friend’s GPS prompts you at every exit on the highway to “stay straight on route blah blah blah”.

My only other issue, WTF Google? You let AOL beat you to the iPhone with a free voice guided, GPS enabled mapping app? The maps on MapQuest are kinda crappy and even if Google released a Google maps iPhone update with the same features and all the bugs I would switch to it just for the better maps. I’m a little embarrassed for you Google.

So go get this app before AOL smartens up and starts charging for it.

So everyone loves babies, let’s face it, the are all cute and the few who aren’t you would never say so. When I was asked if I would be willing to post about a new movie coming out in May, simply titled “Babies”, via my BzzAgent account, I said sure. I figured, worst case I’d get to look at some pictures of babies, watch a trailer, and be one of the first to find out about this new movie. (One of the great BzzAgent perks.)

So I took a look at the pictures, the trailers, and all the other stuff I got access to and I came to one conclusion.  Babies are pretty much the same the whole world round. This movie covers 4 babies for one year from 4 locations around the world. They are all cute, all funny, and watching them gives you that warm fuzzy feeling. Having two growing kids myself I do sometimes miss their baby years.

So I’ll share some of the content with my blog readers here and if I get more I’ll post an update.  Below you can find the trailer, some exclusive photos, and other info.

As a BzzAgent I do receive discounts, free items, and other exclusive benefits for spreading information via this unique word-of-mouth program.  All programs are opt-in so I only promote what I want to. If you are interested in finding out more visit via the button below.