Google bringing free turn-by-turn navigation to mobile Maps [w/ VIDEO]
Click above to view the video after the jump
If you've been following today's news in the mobile gadget world, you've already heard about the Motorola Droid smartphone powered by the latest version of Google's open-source Android operating system. It's a pretty slick setup, particularly with the new 2.0 OS, but the bigger news (to us) is Google's announcement that it's offering a free, turn-by-turn navigation system built around its popular mobile Maps program.
Available on the Droid (and future Android 2.0 devices), the system features all the functionality of Google Maps -- integrated search by location or business, traffic data, etc. -- but now includes voice-guided directions, satellite and street views (yay!), layers and the ability to search for points-of-interest along the chose route. A dock will be available to mount the device on your windshield and in addition to typing your destination, it also accepts voice searches. Yes, Garmin and TomTom have something to worry about.
Make the jump for a video covering all the features of the new system, and be prepared to pony up $199 for the Motorola Droid (on contract) when it goes on sale November 6th through Verizon. If you're looking for all the latest news on the device and Android 2.0, there's a site for that.
UPDATE: Hands-on video of the system in action added.
[Source: Google]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
dave 2:07PM (10/28/2009)
In all honesty, this makes the Android handsets a steal. Looking for do-it-most smart phone + navigation system? Save $150 by buying an Android handset from your provider of choice for $150.
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FThorn 2:52PM (10/28/2009)
I think most of them require a monthly service fee.
dave 3:11PM (10/28/2009)
True, there is a monthly fee for the phone/data service, but if you've purchased an Android phone, you're paying that already even if you don't use Navigation. The "steal" savings part is the not having to pony up ANOTHER $150 for a different device.
Unless you're one of those guys without a cell phone, or need for one, in which case it's probably better just to get a navigation system for a one-time fee.
jv2k 3:24PM (10/29/2009)
I think the verizon ones charge extra for the map plans. I'm not sure if they will with the android.
homunculus 2:12PM (10/28/2009)
you can tell that's an up-to-date map because fenway is empty for the postseason.
ever since google got into the mobile os market this was bound to happen. i'm sure the best is yet to come from google--picture real-time augmented reality navigators.
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Librapaj 2:15PM (10/28/2009)
Did you guys see the stock price for Garmin and TomTom this morning? Today's word is tanking.
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lineardrag 5:26PM (10/28/2009)
Yoohoo..... Garmin Nuvifone....just noticed it.
http://www8.garmin.com/nuvifone/
rickhamilton620 12:42PM (10/29/2009)
@Lineardrag-Right, but the NuviFone was supposed to launch in 07. Due to being delayed so many times, it's now not even competative, overpriced, (4.99 a month on TOP of your regular cell/data plan for "added location based services" besides the GPS????) and has no 3rd party app support.
Jim Dubois 2:18PM (10/28/2009)
Will this new Google mobile maps work on iphone or is it only a Android feature?
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Damon Lavrinc 2:21PM (10/28/2009)
Only Android.
Luis 2:28PM (10/28/2009)
so far...
Galley 2:29PM (10/28/2009)
It is indeed coming to the iPhone. Since it will be integrated into the iPhone OS, they are collaborating with Apple.
Vlad 3:11PM (10/28/2009)
@Galley:
that may or may not happen, actually. Google maps is integrated into the iPhone, but they've recently had some disputes (including some Google exec stepping down from Apple's board, or vice-versa, I can't remember) due to the conflict of interest arising in this situation.
I wouldn't be surprised if turn-by-turn navigation does NOT make it into the iPhone.
the4thheat 6:47PM (10/28/2009)
iPhones use an Apple-made mapping application that happens to use the google maps database for now, but since the two companies have had a falling apart Apple went and bought a mapping company of their own.
So this is unlikely to come out for iPhones. Hope it gets ported to the Windows Mobile version of google maps though.
larry raines 2:22PM (10/28/2009)
hopefully this will give TomTom something to think about.
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jim 2:28PM (10/28/2009)
They need to update the map, the section of Jersey St that runs past Fenway has been renamed Yawkey Way.
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216 2:34PM (10/28/2009)
that's the great part about the App, it'll be a constant updating, "live" service. AND ITS FREE
Google is amazing
eddie_dwyer 2:38PM (10/28/2009)
glad I didn't buy the tom tom app...
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Mark0 2:49PM (10/28/2009)
This is killer app material!!
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John 3:00PM (10/28/2009)
... and as for Google Maps for WinMo?
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