Google Maps The Future For Android

Google Launches Beta of Maps Navigation for Android  Users

Google has launched a Beta of Google Maps Navigation, a free Internet-connected GPS navigation application which provides turn-by-turn voice guidance to phones running the latest versions of its Android operating system. Other key features include Search by Voice to find your destination, as well as street-level and satellite views.

The Google Maps Navigation Beta uses the Android phone's Internet connection to bring users  the latest maps and business data and effectively  turns phones running Android 1.6 and above into satnav systems.

The Google Maps Navigation (Beta) was built from the ground up as an Internet-connected GPS system, making  features  such as Search in plain English possible. This means users can type a business name such as Starbucks or even a type of  business (e.g. "Thai restaurant"), just as you would into Google.  

The image here shows how the app uses Layers - a Google Search for "burgers" displays  the results  found all along the route being driven.  The user can then tap a result to get more details on  it.

Google Maps Navigation offers turn-by-turn voice guidance as a free feature for phones running Android 1.6 and above, as well as the most recent maps, help finding local businesses and even live traffic reports.

Google says users won't need to buy map upgrades or manually update devices because they'll 're always be  using the most recent data from Google Maps.

Other Features

The Search By Voice feature means users can speak their destination instead of typing it.  This is only available now in English.  You can just say "Navigate to Trafalgar Square in London" and wait for directions.

Traffic View. An on-screen indicator glows green, yellow, or red, based on the current traffic conditions along your route. A single touch on the indicator toggles a traffic view that shows the traffic ahead.

Search Along Route. Search for any kind of business along your route, or turn on popular layers such as petrol stations, restaurants, or parking.

Satellite view allows you to view your route overlaid on 3D satellite views of Google's high-resolution aerial imagery.

Street View. Navigation automatically switches to Street View as you approach your destination. Visualise turns overlaid on Google's Street View imagery.

Car dock mode. For certain devices, placing your phone in a car dock activates a special mode that makes it easy to use your device at arm's length.

To get the Beta of Google Maps with Navigation, search for and download the newest release of 'Google Maps' in Android Market from Android 1.6+ phones.

Schedule Announced for the Irish Software Show, June 8th-11th Click Here

People reading this article also read....

More Google News on IrishDev.com

More MoSync News on IrishDev.com

More Telecoms News on IrishDev.com

More Mobile News on IrishDev.com

More Jinny Software News on IrishDev.com

.

Get Instant Updates....

Join IrishDev.com on Facebook and Twitter