Google Maps Adds Free Turn By Turn and More

[bobukcat]

It's in Beta right now and only on Android 2.0 but this is extremely impressive and if it makes it to other OSs will put a SERIOUS hurt on Garmin, Nuvi, etc. Especially since it's a free application!

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/google-adds-free-turn-by-turn-navigation-car-dock-ui-to-android/

[Stuart Sweet]

Of course it will only work in a phone with a data plan and aGPS. Most featurephones have some sort of location-finding, but I don't see this taking a bite out of GPS sales as much as getting rid of the unnecessary fee that cell providers charge to enable mapping in their phones.

[Marlin Guy]

Makes as much as or more sense than putting a camera on a phone.
It won't be immediate, but it certainly has the potential to steal substantial market share from Garmin, TomTom, etc.

[bobukcat]

Of course it will only work in a phone with a data plan and aGPS. Most featurephones have some sort of location-finding, but I don't see this taking a bite out of GPS sales as much as getting rid of the unnecessary fee that cell providers charge to enable mapping in their phones.

As long as the phone has GPS and a magnetic compass built in I don't think aGPS would be necessary, it would make it faster but shouldn't be a requirement for it to work.

Edit: The Droid (that they are using for the video demo) does have a magnetic compass and 3 axis motion sensors to improve turn-by-turn but also features aGPS.

[Stuart Sweet]

You're probably right, I didn't think of the possibility of a compass.

[Lee L]

The fact that Verizon is evidently allowing this on the Droid is surprising. Maybe they have turned over a new leaf after all.

[bobukcat]

The fact that Verizon is evidently allowing this on the Droid is surprising. Maybe they have turned over a new leaf after all.

Actually Verizon has lightened up considerable even on the most recent Win-Mo and BB phones, they've stopped locking the GPS to VZNav, etc. Granted, they were the worst in the world before, but word has it they will allow Google Voice and other applications on this device so it may be a whole new tree as opposed to just a new leaf! :D

[bobukcat]

I can't say I didn't see this coming:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/the-game-has-changed/

I wish I had a lot of money and knew how to short-sell stocks! :D

[Marlin Guy]

Per the above link.... WOW!

[Ira Lacher]

Sigh. Now we get to wait out the p***ing contest between Google and Apple before this hits the iPhone.

[Lee L]

Evidently Google has said somewhere that they are working on this for the iPhone. We will see if it comes true. I can see lots of people allied against such a thing happening. Hopefully Tom Tom actually makes money selling their new dock (can;t see how they wouldn't) as this could drive tons of people to buy the dock for the better GPS chip and antenna in it but use the free Google Nav app.

[Ira Lacher]

The iPhone's Maps app is tremendous, but a definite hazard to consult while driving!