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Topic: Verizon

Correction: Telenav GPS app not due to differences in iPhone hardware

Summary: Telenav created a small uproar with information provided that its new GPS app for the Verizon iPhone was due to hardware differences between the new Verizon iPhone and the original iPhone. Telenav has issued a statement correcting its original information.

James Kendrick

By for Mobile News |

Yesterday Telenav created a small uproar with information provided that its new GPS app for the Verizon iPhone was due to hardware differences between the new Verizon iPhone and the original iPhone handsets. The information was given to me yesterday by a Telenav representative and confirmed by a second Telenav rep. Today I was informed by Telenav that these reps gave me incorrect information and I want to set the record straight. This is the official statement from Telenav regarding the new app for the Verizon iPhone:

The only differences in the development of the application from our perspective are related to backend items not related to the hardware including 1.) billing changes due to the Verizon version being billed to the iTunes account and AT&T Navigator being billed on the AT&T bill 2.) Branding differences in the app design due to this being a TeleNav branded application and 3.) The feature sets of TeleNav GPS and AT&T Navigator are different and the app needed to be re-designed for this as well.

The app has been designed to detect carrier IDs, which allows us to ensure that Verizon iPhone users only can use the application. If an AT&T iPhone user downloads this application and launches it, they will receive a notification upon launching the application explaining that TeleNav GPS is developed specifically for the Verizon iPhone and will be automatically redirected to the AT&T Navigator listing on the app store to download that product if they choose.

I would like to reiterate that the original information now known to be incorrect was provided to me by two Telenav representatives in face-to-face meetings at a Telenav event. The confirmation of the bad information was witnessed by another journalist who can attest to the statements as I originally reported. My reporting was accurate as far as the original information I was provided at the time but to give an accurate accounting of the situation I am updating it with this article. I apologize if the original information reported inconvenienced anyone in any way.

Topic: Verizon

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13 comments
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  • Homework

    Was I asleep for a couple of decades?! I mean, since when did journalism not include checking sources. I would expect a more conscientious job from my 8 year old. If Kendrick and ZDNet feel no shame, then I'll carry their burden. Makes me question what the newer generation will bring if they see "seasoned" adults winging it.
    hcabbos
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Correction: Telenav GPS app not due to differences in iPhone hardware

      @hcabbos Umm. I received the original information by email but waited until I could verify it FACE-TO-FACE with two different sources at Telenav. This was not winging it by any means. Sometimes sources get things wrong, even when verified.
      JamesKendrick
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Correction: Telenav GPS app not due to differences in iPhone hardware

        @JamesKendrick James, no matter what a source says, you still need the chops to understand what you're reporting. Most of your readers knew better.

        You should extract the original article so it's not picked up by search engines. I only found the correction linked from the comments, not in the body of the article.
        kent42
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Correction: Telenav GPS app not due to differences in iPhone hardware

        @JamesKendrick

        He wont remove the article, it is performing its intended purpose, creating hits. That is all it was intended to do, create hits. He didn't even bother to edit the post with an apology explaining that it is false. Fact is, you cannot place the blame on anyone but yourself despite where and who you got the info. Its always easier to point somewhere else and blame another than to take ownership. It was your article, own it, don't hide behind others for your own mistake. Telnav did not create the uproar, you did with your article.
        Rabidcb
        Reply Vote

      • This whole thing could be PR from Telenav to gain publicity/free marketing

        @kent42 and @Rabidcb: <b>remember that both initial information and "correction" came from the same company.</b>
        DDERSSS
        Reply Vote

    • Re: Homework

      @hcabbos

      Dude, did you read the post? Do you understand what journalism is? Do you understand that what James did here is probably three times as diligent as any blog author would normally do (and probably twice what most TV reporters do)?

      And I assume that you have (1) never made a mistake or (2) trusted multiple sources who, in the end, where together incorrect?
      jglopic
      Reply Vote

  • The original point

    The original article's point is that fragmentation is occurring in the iPhone marketplace. (headline: Not all iPhone apps work on the Verizon iPhone ? fragmentation looming? 1st sentence: Today may be remembered as the day the iOS platform became fragmented like Android. Just a couple of examples.)

    Kendrick went for the sensationalistic angle and made assumptions. So the sources were wrong, and Kendrick's proclamation of a fragmented market was wrong, too. EPIC FAIL
    the_saltminer
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Correction: Telenav GPS app not due to differences in iPhone hardware

    Fact is, here is a guy who pretends to be a proffesional in the use of mobile phones, since they have weighed 30lbs. But apprently is not knowledgeable to ask the questions that would have refuted his previous article. Instead he listened and did not ask.
    Rabidcb
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Correction: Telenav GPS app not due to differences in iPhone hardware

    You stand corrected. Perhaps next time you will be less reckless with fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD). If you understood the iOS platform as well as a seasoned iOS developer did, you would have never made that mistake. Perhaps you should befriend one. Better yet, pick one that develops for both Android and iOS so you can trust that they can think for themselves.
    waffletower
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Correction: Telenav GPS app not due to differences in iPhone hardware

    Jesus people. Cut James some slack!! He was fed incorrect information and reported on it. Then the same company sent them a correction? I personally do not trust the correction. Apple probably stepped on their tail. So lets talk about the real issue here:

    "1.) billing changes due to the Verizon version being billed to the iTunes account and AT&T Navigator being billed on the AT&T bill"

    OK. Fair enough. And it is impossible to write an app that has a decision tree built in. If on AT&T bill here, of on Verizon bill here. Ridiculous. But lets go on.

    "2.) Branding differences in the app design due to this being a TeleNav branded application and"

    I do not understand this. This is a TeleNav branded app, so what does this have to do with the TeleNav app being on an AT&T or Verizon phone? Somebody please explain this to me.

    "3.) The feature sets of TeleNav GPS and AT&T Navigator are different and the app needed to be re-designed for this as well."

    This is the one that really pisses me off. Why? Why should AT&T users have a different feat set than Verizon users? Who is getting the short end of the stick here and why. I never supported Apple's fascist control over their apps, but if there is something that should not be allowed, this is it!!

    So lets not forget the real story here being too busy ripping on James for something he did right. The only think I fault him for is not approaching this correction with a healthy dose of skepticism. (I guess that could burn bridges. So I understand.)
    littvay
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Correction: Telenav GPS app not due to differences in iPhone hardware

      @littvay For crying out loud take a chill pill:<br><br>""2.) Branding differences in the app design due to this being a TeleNav branded application and"<br><br>I do not understand this. This is a TeleNav branded app, so what does this have to do with the TeleNav app being on an AT&T or Verizon phone? Somebody please explain this to me."<br><br>The TeleNav app is called AT&T Navigator - can you see the issue now?<br><br>"3.) The feature sets of TeleNav GPS and AT&T Navigator are different and the app needed to be re-designed for this as well."<br><br>The Verizon branded version is cheaper than the A&T version but that's because they removed the voice feature. Again nothing to do with iOS. It's different because Verizon and AT&T dictate the terms of the branded app with Telenav.<br><br>So yes the real story is that there is no story.
      buckeye168
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Correction: Telenav GPS app not due to differences in iPhone hardware

        @buckeye168

        Fair enough. Thanks for the clarification. I still feel the company's press release should have been as clear as you were just in case there are people out there who have not used multiple versions of their software.
        littvay
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Correction: Telenav GPS app not due to differences in iPhone hardware

    Maybe the problem is that James didn't apply any common sense to his original story. Even a basic knowledge of iPhone development would have informed him that no apps "talk directly to the hardware", as he suggested. Internet networking and GPS functionality are accessible only through the iOS API Frameworks, which hide any differences in hardware.
    bobthedino@...
    Reply Vote
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