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Google Introduces Free GPS Navigation for Android 2.0

uberamd said:
So we have a battery sucking application on devices known to have horrible battery life? Sounds delicious.
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I don't know about you all, but when I'm using the Sprint Navigation in my car, I have it plugged in so that it stays charged. I would hope that anyone using such an app would have the common sense to do the same.
 
rwilliams said:
I don't know about you all, but when I'm using the Sprint Navigation in my car, I have it plugged in so that it stays charged. I would hope that anyone using such an app would have the common sense to do the same.
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Have you seen some of these phones? There is no cradle to hold them on your window yet alone hold it and charge it, and holding a GPS in your hand while driving is bad.
 
My 2 cents?

Apple cannot compete, how low cost can google produce these systems with everything already built out by google maps. If google starts producing low cost portables now as well, based on some pretty unix developed OS, a lot will change in the market.

Google doesn't want to change your life (or make it easy), it wants to BE your life, in every electronic way, on any platform, at a decent low cost. (and i'm not that happy with that, look at privacy on picasa. But a lot of people dont know, or dont care.)

What would Apple do if google would decide not to lend the app after a while? Go free? I don't think so. Apple is branding on price and status, and in times of economic crisis that is def not the largest part of the market.
 
Prom1 said:
I don't think its forcing. Apple has a partnership with Google for Maps on every iteration of the iPhone. I'm sure a new firmware will make this available in the coming holiday season.
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the most hurried commercial entities begin their holiday season next weekend so i kind of doubt that...

Prom1 said:
I was really worried that Google would start making software ONLY available to the Android platform, and it's possible this WILL happen after a few high-end (hardware) Android 2 devices launch.
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they might well make available the most advanced version on their android platform first, and the provide the other platform versions half a year later. and half a year after that they release new version of android with more advanced maps/navigation app.
 
This is fantastic on Verizon's network, would be a nightmare on AT&T's. AT&T's network is spotty all over the east coast so this app wouldn't work most of the time.
 
ChrisA said:
Mac OS X is based on soe very mature technology. Over 40 years old now. A lot of changes and additions over that time. It's been kept up to date but notice how the free OSes (Linux and the like) move faster.
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Yes, the base technologies of Snow Leopard are from the 1960s. 🙄
 
uberamd said:
Have you seen some of these phones? There is no cradle to hold them on your window yet alone hold it and charge it, and holding a GPS in your hand while driving is bad.
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The Verizon Droid is the first 2.0 device, 2.0 will ship with this navigation capability. You really think they won't sell a car dock/charger?? 🙄

Just because there hasn't been one so far (when there was no point previously anyway) doesn't mean there won't be one now.
 
Google owns the technology. Of course they can bundle it.

Now let's see Google offer iTunes for free.
 
Having GPS over internet is a no-no.

What if you're driving and you lost your cellphone connection. You'd lose your gps connections also.
 
edesignuk said:
The Verizon Droid is the first 2.0 device, 2.0 will ship with this navigation capability. You really think they won't sell a car dock/charger?? 🙄

Just because there hasn't been one so far (when there was no point previously anyway) doesn't mean there won't be one now.
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🙄 not my point. My current Android phone does real time directions to an extent, its not turn by turn but it is just like using the iPhone Maps app for navigation, and there are plenty of 3rd party iPhone window cradles. Its easy for 3rd party vendors to make iPhone cradles, they are nearly all identical in shape. There are a slew of differently shaped Android devices. See where I am coming from now?
 
Congratulations Verizon Wireless for finally giving up some of your monopolistic control over a device. I guess their $9.99/month VZNavigator service will not apply to the Android devices.

Come on Apple and VZW, make a deal, please.
 
Looks Awesome!!! Finally I don't have to rely on the 10-year-out-of-date Navteq maps that most other nav apps use.
 
If this is any indication of what we can expect from Google, than I just may find myself switching.

That looks sweet! 😎
 
uberamd said:
🙄 not my point. My current Android phone does real time directions to an extent, its not turn by turn but it is just like using the iPhone Maps app for navigation, and there are plenty of 3rd party iPhone window cradles. Its easy for 3rd party vendors to make iPhone cradles, they are nearly all identical in shape. There are a slew of differently shaped Android devices. See where I am coming from now?
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So someone makes an adjustable one. Most devices are close enough in size that this wouldn't be at all difficult.
 
See, now THIS is called competition. As much as I can't stand Google and their idea thieving ways, they put the work in, here and created a much needed and what looks to be quality app as well. No hate from my end.
 
aardwolf said:
Now enter it without the trailing slash like in the commercial. I thought I understood HTML, but I'm unsure how it doesn't work without the slash.
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It's their cock-up, not yours. They've just done something wrong in creating their redirect, meaning it requires the / at the end.
 
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