More Details for Google Maps Navigation

1st November, 2009 by adina
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The beta edition of Google Maps Navigation, the internet-connected GPS navigation system with voice guidance, is part of Google Maps for mobile and is available for phones with Android 2.0, like the Motorola Droid. Google Maps Navigation adds features that normally exist in dedicated GPS units, such as the bird’s eye (satellite) view and spoken directions. In areas where Google provides this service traffic is free and users can benefit from the Street View feature (showing directions overlaid on Google’s Street View imagery) or from Traffic View (an on-screen indicator glowing green, yellow, or red based on current traffic conditions along the route). Search is supported and allows drivers to use typed or voice commands to navigate to a certain location by indicating search criteria instead of specific addresses. Travellers also can find points of interest along their route by launching searches on specific matters.

Available for all Android 2.0 devices, Google Maps Navigation could also be extended to the iPhone through this one’s built-in maps tool. There is no information yet of when this feature could be implemented for the iPhone.

Although most GPS-aware Nokia phones, as well as RIM’s BlackBerry line include turn-by-turn applications, these ones have limited functionality or need a paid subscription to work. Most stand-alone applications, including those for the iPhone, require a significant initial fee and afterwards may charge extra for eventual map updates. Google Maps Navigation requires an Internet connection for map data downloading, but is a free to use service.


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