Google builds turn-by-turn navigation into Android 2.0

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David Flynn30 October 2009, 4:21 PM

The next wave of Android-powered smartphones will include free turn-by-turn navigation software powered by Google Maps and Google Street View.


Google locked down its Android 2.0 smartphone OS this week, topping it off with the surprise addition of free turn-by-turn navigation software called Google Maps Navigation.



The service combines data from Google Maps and StreetView, so you can get not only a top-down ‘street map’ view of your journey but photographs to help highlight landmarks along your route. It also includes traffic updates and the ability to search for points of interest such as petrol stations and restaurants.



In addition to voice recognition Google Maps Navigation sports what the company calls an ‘arms-length’ UI, with bigger buttons and a focus on voice control, which appears when an Android 2.0 smartphone detects that it’s been placed into a dashboard holder.

Google Maps Navigation is certain to become a compelling feature for Android smartphones, especially as existing turn-by-turn navigation services rely on monthly or annual subscription fees.

The first public appearance of Google Maps Navigation will be on the Motorola Droid, an Android 2.0 smartphone which US carrier Verizon will release next month.

The application won’t be available for download on Android 1.0 phones but devices which can be upgraded to Android 2.0 – such as the HTC Hero, for which HTC will issue an update – will automatically gain the new feature.

Google also says that it’s working on a similar app for the iPhone and is also open to licensing the software to manufacturers of portable navigation devices.


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Tony23 (User):

Well, that just increased the value proposition for Android. If the phones weren't over priced and physically clunk, I'd be interested. Thankfully, my current phone has 20 months to run....so I'll be very interested in where Android phones will be by then.

30 October 2009, 6:14 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (Senior Forumologist):

I'm thinking the same sorts of things.... I was seriously considering some of the Android options about 6 months back, but got a Touch Pro because of lack of decent hardware and no serious navigation tools.

I don't see this Google tool likely to come close to TomTom, but having something at all is far better than nothing.

30 October 2009, 10:58 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Dan Warne (Administrator):

Motorola Cliq looks pretty sweet though.. only slightly thicker than an iPhone 3GS and it has a slide-out physical keyboard!!

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/14/motorola-cliq-review/

I must say though I'm not personally a fan of the wide-format keyboards -- they take too much thumb movement. I can type much more quickly on a narrower keyboard, a la Blackberry Bold or Curve.

31 October 2009, 10:50 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tony23 (User):

Quoting Dan Warne:
Motorola Cliq looks pretty sweet though


Indeed it does! YUMMY!!!!!! If I can get that for the same price as I'm currently paying for a Nokia E63 in 2 years I'm in! Unfortunately for the phone marketers, I don't believe in paying "premium pricing" for a phone. For some reason, the Android phones I've seen have been massive rip-offs...which is odd given they are based on open operating systems.

01 November 2009, 12:05 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Tony23:
For some reason, the Android phones I've seen have been massive rip-offs


If bought on contracts, yes. The outright prices are generally less of a rip off than a similar Windows Mobile device once you start shopping around.


Quoting Tony23:
which is odd given they are based on open operating systems.


Open Source does not always mean free. Something has to pay the developers at Google, and something has to pay the developers at HTC/Sony/Motorola/etc.
You can feel free to take the source for Android and make it work on your existing phone, but don't expect it to be easy.

01 November 2009, 6:06 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tony23 (User):

Quoting Tin:
Open Source does not always mean free. Something has to pay the developers at Google, and something has to pay the developers at HTC/Sony/Motorola/etc.

True, my comment has fallen into the "everything open source is free" hole. I guess i expected Android to be cheaper because the efforts which would have been paid for in-house have been done by others. i.e. it is a case of "make better" not "build from scratch". Of course they still have to make a profit, but i through an open source base should make the overall cost lower. Whereas the prices seem to be at "fanboy premium" levels.

You are right my comments are really based on plan prices. Not sure how much sense it makes to get a smartphone off a plan since it's then a case of paying telsos for data and calls anyway, and the rip-off telcos don't really offer a very good deal - i.e. over 24 months I'd expect it to be $400-800 less since it's BYO phone. perhaps the telco would rather you signed a contract.....




01 November 2009, 6:27 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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