I have a GPS app on my iPhone that "talks."

I have an iPhone but never use the GPS feature, not sure about any apps, they may do better than the built in program.

I have an LG Ally smart phone, running the Android 2.3 Operating system from Verizon that has full web browsing (including the ability to Bookmark pages) and GPS, with voice navigation.

I don't use the GPS a lot,but it sure came in handy a couple of months ago when I was trying to find a Dr's office in a multi-building office complex that has NO signage. Then, I remembered my phone...went to MAPS, and it came up with my present location on the map, and when I entered my destination address, outlined the route from where I was.

Keep in mind that when you use many of those type apps it will rack up a lot of allotment useage. Which is why I never use mine, if I am in a place that I can just use it on wifi then that is fine but our plan has a pretty limited usage allotment and I am not going to up the plan and pay more.

We each have a regular GPS unit that talks and our smart phones that have the GPS in them standard. When we first got our new smartphones I almost went over our limit in the first day because I did not realize it was set to use cellular connection rather than wifi first, now I have it set to only use wifi for stuff other than actual phone calls.
IF you have a truly unlimited plan you should be fine but these days they are getting very hard to find.

I too have the verizon lg Ally and i use the voice navigation. love it

I just use the google maps on my iphone - no voice. So far I haven't found the need for voice navigation but if there's agood a free app for that I'd be interested in knowing what it is.

I think if I wanted a voice nav GPS and was going to pay for it I'd probably get an actual GPS unit. I think there are too many places I might want the GPS where a cell phone wouldn't be practical - like outside the U.S.

Any Android phone can utilize Google Maps Navigation. It's free, gives you turn-by-turn directions, and you can even speak to it rather than typing in the address. It's one of the main reasons I got a smartphone. My standalone GPS unit is now sitting in the garage collecting dust. I have an unlimited data plan for $20 a month so I don't worry about usage. It's true that it would cost a lot to use the phone's GPS outside the U.S., but how often do most people need that capability? And I am a heavy email user, so the ability to easily check that with the phone's 3G capability while traveling is a big plus.

Here is a link that might be useful: Google Maps Navigation

I second what kutzu9 says. My Droid with Google Maps Navigation does a far better job than my standalone GPS, which is gathering dust. And I don't have to worry about leaving it in the car where it can attract attention and be stolen - my cell stays in my purse and gives me directions from there.

My plan is $30 a month, unlimited, btw, which is a bit pricy, but Verizon is the best reception choice in our area.

Sarah, what is your plan that is $30, unlimited?
Pammy, the Nokia E5 has voice GPS and you can get it through Straight Talk for $199 and unlimited talk, text and 2 GB of data a month and no contract. It uses AT&T per-paid towers. Oh, the plan is $45 a month.

Is having everything in one unit that important to you? It sounds to me like the phone handles those needs at a cheap price. A $60-$120 GPS may well serve your GPS needs. I believe virtually all give you the audio guidance. Amortize that out over, even 2 years and it's only a few dollars a month. A cheap tablet that works off wifi lets you check email, google maps probably get those recipe ingredients with a larger screen, and also do other things, again for a few dollars a month amortized out. This is how I went for now. Decided to try a tablet to see if a "smart" phone feature was going to be a benefit to me and justify the cost. So far it hasn't. And no, I'm not saying it's the same, but functionally for me it's the equivalent and I'm very happy with my GPS and my phone serves my needs perfectly. I don't care that it's different units. I don't feel the need to get the latest technology just for the sake of having it. And spending what about $10-$15 a month (even including amortized costs of the other gadgets) is far cheaper than a smart phone use cost to say nothing of the cost of the phone itself.

I've found that many things are better when they are doing the job they're designed to do rather than all-in-one. Washer/dryer combo units don't work as well as separate washers & dryers and they're much more expensive. Often the multi-use, especially the "try to be all things for all people" units are grossly expensive.

Just an observation - something for you to consider.

Hmm... Still have come to no decision! (By the time I DO decide, the "next big thing" will have come and gone!)

It would be nice to have everything all rolled into one item, but no, I guess it's not necessary.

My phone works, my camera works. I typically don't "buy up" -- I really try to buy only to replace what's broken or worn out.

GPS devices are on sale this time of year, so I think, then, I'll do some research on that front.

It'll be a bit easier than smartphone research, I hope: I was in WalMart today and decided to look at the phones, just to see what was out there. Totally overwhelmed! Will save that research for a very energetic day.

CYNIC: Which tablet do you have? What are the most frequently used things you do on it?

I bought one of the Sylvania 7" from Big Lots. It was $99 and I thought it was a good deal but duh, if I'd done my homework could have saved some money, but live and learn. They don't have them anymore anyway but they're around and I've seen them for the $70-$75 range. I made up my mind to buy one and wanted it THEN so I paid the price. Anyway, I primarily use it to check email when I'm out and about. I'm not having great luck finding apps for it. Most seem to require a phone rather than just a tablet for the apps to be downloaded. I also have used it to get phone numbers for destinations when I've needed to call and tell them I'm going to be late. I haven't had it long so I haven't used it a lot. My biggest problem with it? Forgetting to bring it with me! LOL I do like screen size though. Trying to see stuff on a little tiny phone 1/3 the size or less - I just don't think I'm up for that right now.

I'll say this about it: I certainly could live without it, but it's been handy a couple times. As I get more used to it, the value will probably grow. I have had issues a couple times of not being near a hotspot so I couldn't use it right then but again, I'm not addicted to email and the like so for me, it's not a big deal. I'm glad I'm not paying $50-$75/mo or more for a phone that would do this. For me, that'd be a stupid investment. And I'll repeat that the GPS does a far better job of guiding me than using the maps. Even my cheapie old(er) GPS.

Which brings up a point. You'll hear people try to sell you on the "lifetime updates" for maps and things on GPS. DON'T GET CAUGHT ON THAT ONE! LOL "Lifetime" is for the life of the unit and *not* YOUR lifetime. When they EOL a unit, you don't get any more and most EOL at about 5 years anyway. Mine is 5+ years old but you know what? The highways and freeways haven't changed much, nor have the residential streets moved so gee, what good is the update? LOL I bought a refurb unit for $79 many years ago when it was about 1/2 price of a cheap unit. So mine was older data to start with but as I said, very little has changed of any significant nature. The cheapie meets my needs just fine. And actually it has saved me some time and effort. I will say I've wanted to upgrade for a couple features but can't justify it. Just my experience & 2â worth.

Joan mm, what I meant to say is that my Verizon plan is $30 (actually 29.99)per month for unlimited DATA USAGE only. Needless to say, that is not the total cost per month, although I wish it was. My apology for the misinformation.

I have the sylvania tablet I have a ton of apps on mine so if you need any of the app sources I use just let me know, I use the amazon app to get a lot of them from the amazon store and also I use the getjar app to get a lot from their app store and they have a lot of the pay apps for free on there. For the actual android market you won't be able to get them directly from there to the tablet.
Amazon Appstore

GetJar: App

Android Freeware Lovers
Those are all good sources for direct download and install and are clean.

There is a very very good deal right now on a Coby 7" tablet with Android 2.3 (higher and better than the 2.2 that is on the sylvania) for $79. I have not seen a price like that on that particular tablet anywhere. I has very good reviews.
Coby Kyros 7.0" 4GB Tablet featuring Android 2.3

I have had my finger on the button to purchase it but I really don't need another tablet right now.

I also noticed in todays Big Lots email they have a Tom Tom GPS model xl 335SE for $59 that price is till 12-10

pammyfay-
Maybe you should take a look at the January 2011 issue of Consumer Reports that just came out. Their article on "Best & Worst Cell Phones& Plans" might just help with your feeling of being overwhelmed.

Kudzu: We both have great timing -- I just picked up the issue when I was at Costco today! It's exactly what I need to read. (I did come across one interesting thing already -- the difference in phone pricing and that places like Costco, Walmart, etc., are often much cheaper than the standalone phone stores.)

Your right pammyfay they are cheaper at Walmart but if something goes wrong they offer no support they tell you to take it to the nearest stand alone store. I know this because DD is a manager at stand alone store and Walmart is half mile away and she's always getting people bringing there phone in and they tell her that Walmart told them to bring it there for help.

Oy, good point, Patches.
Now that I think about it, I can't imagine the guy behind the phones table at Costco, too, would be able to do much for me if I had an equipment problem or question.

Maybe those avenues are better for more tech-savvy people than I am!

pammyfay-
In 15 years, I've never had to take a cell phone back because of a technical problem, and questions are usually pretty readily handled by the manual or a phone call to my cell phone service tech support. However, I suggest you consider talking to the Costco folks after you figure out what kind of phone is best for you. Even though their phone booths are not a fully integrated part of Costco, I believe Costco requires them to provide buyers with a 90-day return/exchange policy that allows you to send back your phone for exchange or refund (that's for the phone; it doesn't mean you can drop a contract for service). I don't think you will find that with stand alone stores. And I do know from shopping around that their prices are great and you sometimes get extras, like a headset. I'm not connected with Costco; I'm just saying it may be of advantage to you to check them out.

Clarification/Correction to my previous post...

I happened to be at Costco today and I visited the cell phone kiosk to ask some questions. Here is what I found out:

1. Within the "trial period" you can return any phone and get a different one from the same carrier. The length of this trial period varies depending on the carrier, but seems to be in the range of 14-30 days.

2. Within the first 90 days, you can return any phone (by mail) that has a problem/defect and get a replacement or refund from Costco. (Getting a refund from Costco for the phone does not get you out of your contract with the carrier.)

3. If you want a different phone after the trial period is over, it would be up to the carrier whether to agree to that...no guarantees.

4. All phones come with the standard 1-year manufacturer's warranty.

Conclusion: 1) In terms of warranty/exchange, Costco offers about what a stand alone cell phone store does, aside from the 90 day refund/exchange through Costco, and 2) Costco seems to offer better deals for your money.

Make sure the navigator (if you go with one) speaks street names. We got a TomTom on sale with free map updates. 5". We love it.

Kudzo: Great information! Thanks for getting those details!