Google Introduces Free GPS Navigation for Android 2.0

[edesignuk]

Those nat service providers' fears were actually quite justified. Google today unveiled Maps Navigation (beta, of course), an extremely upgraded version of its current Maps software that'll be free and, from what we understand, available by default on all Android 2.0 devices. All the usual Maps features are present, including the ability to search by name of business and have it suggest the closest matches, both semantically and geographically, and traffic data. We're also now looking at turn-by-turn navigation, female robotic voice and all, and integration with satellite and street view, the latter of which will be able to show you what lane you need to be in when exiting the highway, for example. Instead of just searching nearby, it'll also now search along the route for when you're looking for upcoming gas stations or fast food joints that won't take you too far off your beaten path. Select addresses can be added to the Android home screen as their own icons, and given the limits of living in the cloud, trips and their respective visual feeds will be cached just in case you hit dead spots along the way. Still no multitouch, but as VP of Engineering Vic Gundotra noted at a press conference, there's nothing stopping a company like HTC from adding that feature à la Sense UI.

In addition to demonstrating the basic navigational functions, Gundotra also showcased a new user interface that appears when the device hooked up into a car dock, one that is intended for use "at an arm's length away." Essentially, it means much larger iconography and a convenient "voice search" option front and center. We later got confirmation from a Google product manager that car dock detection was definitively a hardware-based feature, which we take to mean Android devices currently on the market won't necessarily have the same convenience. If Android 2.0 takes off how Google (and Verizon!) hope it does, companies like TomTom and Garmin are going to seriously need to worry about their bottom line. Watch Gundotra demonstrate the app after the break.

Engadget [more from Google]

Awesome

 

[Tilpots]

Turn by Turn with Street View FTW!

 

[iOrlando]

i like it.. (when it comes to the iphone)

 

[MacRumors]

Google Introduces Free GPS Navigation for Android 2.0



Google today announced a free, turn-by-turn GPS navigation application for the new Android 2.0 smart phone platform.

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.

Among the features included in the application:

- Up-to-date map data: Automatically includes latest map data from Google, which is constantly being refined by Google and by users submitting corrections
- Plain English search: Locate destinations by entering business business name or landmark; no address needed
- Voice search: Speak destinations and Google Maps Navigation will automatically interpret and plot routes
- Live traffic data: Indicator warns of upcoming traffic issues
- Search along route: Find businesses along path of travel
- Satellite view: 3D view of route to aid in understanding directions
- Street View: first-person perspective of route and destination images

A video preview of Google Maps Navigation has also been posted.

CNET notes that Google and Apple are in fact working to bring the application to the iPhone, although no details of a launch timeframe have been released.

However, Google is working with Apple on bringing it to the iPhone, and it's not ruling out licensing the software to makers of portable navigation devices used in cars throughout the world, said Gundotra, vice president of engineering at Google for mobile and developers. The process involving Apple is slightly different from the usual App Store submission process, because Maps is a built-in iPhone application, he said.

Article Link: Google Introduces Free GPS Navigation for Android 2.0

 

[izibo]

Wow, thats unreal. Great move for Google.

 

[Eddyisgreat]

Wow am I jealous?

Nah. But this does look nice.

 

[Michael73]

Incredible. I hope it's ported to the iPhone OS.

 

[billystlyes]

Android 2 rules!

 

[skate71290]

kind of pisses all over tom-tom for the iPhone at £60 lol

 

[nwcs]

It's a nice play by google but I don't think it will have a great impact on the market overall. As more cars come with integrated, and specialized, GPS navigation systems the desire for handheld units will start declining. There's an opportunity now but probably not 5-10 years from now.

When the next iPhone is released next summer it will be interesting to see how Apple raises their game (or doesn't).

 

[mattster16]

Android just keeps looking better and I like this droid phone a lot (although I wish the device itself looked a little nicer).

I wonder how long until this makes it's way to the iPhone?

Also, does anyone know if the droid has a glass or plastic screen?

 

[macswitcha2]

Is this going to come to iPhone?

 

[lazyrighteye]

"Competition is good" in motion.
This will only force Apple to step it up even more. And I'm fine with that.

 

[drumcat]

GRMN = nosedive

Adios Garmin. You could have been the shiznit, leading this stuff. Instead, you gave us nuviphone.

MASSIVE FAIL GARMIN.

 

[zombitronic]

Awesome news. Hopefully, this will just become a feature in the built-in Google Maps app. I'm glad that I haven't purchased any turn-by-turn GPS apps.

 

[dread]

If apple brings this to the iphone there will be some pissed off people that have already purchased navigation apps. However, the iphone will need this to stay competitive.

 

[MotionxxUSxx]

Why would they be pissed. From my understanding maps are not stored on the device for the google nav app. I would never want a navigation system that does not have maps on board. I travel to many places that have edge or no service and I need a navigation app. In this case the google nav app would be useless.

 

[Tilpots]

Apple will probably hold this up for the iPhone until their new Mapping Co. acquisition gets something going first.

 

[homsar]

- Up-to-date map data: Automatically includes latest map data from Google, which is constantly being refined by Google and by users submitting corrections

Like the "University of Wales and Swansea", which has never gone by that name, and I submitted a correction for years ago, and still is labelled as such?

(It was formerly known as "University of Wales, Swansea", so presumably some overly-clever software thought it was a good idea to replace the comma with the word "and" -- now though it goes by the simpler name of "Swansea University".)

 

[blizaine]

I bought the navigon app and it is alright but I find myself always going back to the built in google map app. Mainly because it loads faster and it seems like the navigon app never has the point of interest I search for, but google always does.

 

[NinjaHERO]

Sweet. Force Apple to give us something better.

 

[sl1200mk2]

Awesome! Can't wait for the iphone version! I already own Navigon, but choice and competition is never bad. Everyone will have to step up their game to match the search functionality.

 

[mattster16]

Awesome news. Hopefully, this will just become a feature in the built-in Google Maps app. I'm glad that I haven't purchased any turn-by-turn GPS apps.

Same here. I've decided I don't feel the need for a turn-by-turn app so much that I'd pay for one. The Maps app seems to work just fine. It sucks if you make a wrong turn and have to re-route, but I can always find somewhere to pull over to do that if need be. A FREE turn-by-turn app though, I'd probably use that.

 

[Sky Blue]

Cool, now I don't have to purchase a turn by turn app at Christmas, I'll wait it out for this.

 

[phatcat]

Awesome. Now Google has some leverage against Apple. Apple better approve google voice soon, as I could see Google "reviewing," ahem, iPhone portability for quite a long time.