Google Maps Navigation Beta for Android…Will WinMo See One?
Google has announced a beta version of its new Google Maps Navigation program, that will provide voice-guided turn-by-turn directions on your Android 2.0 device.
"This new feature comes with everything you'd expect to find in a GPS navigation system, like 3D views, turn-by-turn voice guidance and automatic rerouting. But unlike most navigation systems, Google Maps Navigation was built from the ground up to take advantage of your phone's Internet connection."
Features include:
-Most recent maps (and business listings) by downloading them as you drive
-Search in "plain" English by using the simplicity of Google search
-Search by voice
-Traffic view by downloading live traffic information while you drive
-Search along route
-Satellite view
-Street view
The first phone it will be available on is the Droid from Verizon.
So, will it come to other platforms such as Windows Mobile? Or is this another way to pull people into Android?
Source: Google Blog
You’re still reliant on the cloud/internet access, so yes – while I’m digging the possibility of a Google-based nav solution – it still faces the same issues as other similar solutions: if you’re outside a coverage area, you’re out of luck. I assume that this will be Garmin and TomTom’s response.
I completely agree, and that’s why I’ll stick with Garmin Mobile XT. The one feature I love about it is the Google Local Search rather than relying on a static POI database. If iGo or TomTom could implement something like that, I would easily switch though.
This is definitely a nice feature to some who do not want to pay for navigation, but what I don’t understand is how google gives all this away for free. 1st company to give pop3 for free, then exchange for free now. isn’t google voice free also (i’m not really sure) and now they are going to be giving away free turn by turn navigation with speech? They are taking over, watch out.
Ads, its all in the ads! They’ll probably be able to figure out a way to make this ad-driven.
In other news, Garmin stock is down about 17% so far today.
I was actually thinking about how great it would be if Google updated the Maps app for navigation just last week.
Let’s hope we see a WinMo version (I’d like a BB version too if will actually utilize the GPS..unlike Google Maps does currently on my gf’s Tour)
xenokira — I believe the latest version of Google Maps for BB fixes the GPS issue.
I want it now!!!!!