If you're not interested in Google Maps Navigation, you should be. It's been one of the most requested features for Google Maps for quite some time and to finally have it in Android 2.0 is an absolute game changer. Just check out the stocks of standalone GPS makers like Garmin and TomTom, it speaks for itself.
We've gathered some choice screenshots of Google Maps Navigation for your easy viewing. GPS navigation is about to permanently change with Google Maps Navigation. Imagine how limited previous GPS devices were with their search. Now you search with the power of Google. Remember how expensive GPS devices were. Now it's free with Android 2.0.
We think that the change is good and we love that the change is falling in our direction.
Hit the jump to see more screenshots of Google Maps Navigation with our commentary!
Google Maps Navigation has all the benefits of standalone GPS units with the power of Google and Street View!
You can also specify your search to display results within your route (so you won't stray too far off course) and of course, Google Maps Navigation will display traffic data and crash information just like Google Maps already does.
You have the choice to view the map in Satellite View as well
For easy access, you can place destination shortcuts on your Android home screen. The Google Maps Navigation also notifies in you the Android notification bar. And finally, your destination is shown in Google Street View within Google Maps Navigation.
11 Comments
is it launching with 2.0?
Will like the g1 and other androids that are still on 1.6 update to 2.0 bc that is just freaking badass!!!
it seems like it's part of the 2.0 package, so everything with 2.0 should get it...
will g1 get android 2.0?
Will G1 get 2.0 or not?
Once again, Google has introduced a total game changer. Since this app is apparently internet dependent, what happens when you don't have a cellular signal? Does the navigation still work just without the benefit of Google search, street view, etc.? Awesome if it does, but that suggests there has to be a fair amoiunt of data stored on your device, right?
...but while there's no whole-map caching, it does cache a route when you enter it in, so as long as you don't stray too far from the beaten path you should be fine with a dropped signal here or there...
From engadgets review: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/google-navigation-video-hands-on-you-...
This is a great feature, I'll be able to use the Maps a lot.
I am definitely looking to get an Android phone when its time for me to upgrade.
is this available for Palm Pre or will these users be behind the iphone as per usual?
This program will be a big issue for European citizens. Most people want to use it also on vacation in other countries, but then they are roaming. And the price for roaming is in the order of 5 euro's to 16 euro's or more for 1 MB of data. And 1 Google Maps page is about 100KB.
So TomTom or CoPilot or navigation software seems expensive, but using Google navigation outside your country can cost you many hundreds of euro's for data usage.
So the application is free but data usage not. Be aware!
i don't know how awesome this is going to be. the droid only has 256 of app space. that means the phone is going to have to download all of that information with street views and sat views every time you navigate, or miss a turn. doesn't seem very reliable