An impressive feature of Google ’s newAndroid 2.0mobile gimmick operating system is Google Maps Navigation , a that ’s not only free to use , but is jolly loose to learn as well .
The app is include withMotorola ’s new Droidhandset for Verizon Wireless , introduced earlier this hebdomad as the first Android 2.0 gadget on the market .
Google Maps Nav’s Extras
Whiledriving directions via Google Mapshas been uncommitted on many mobile devices for days , including Apple ’s iPhone and iPod devices , Google Maps Navigation produce the anteby adding spoken turn - by - turn steering , something usable only with extra - cost additions to the iPhone . Google Maps Navigation makes full use of the almost bottomless text and image imagination of Google ’s search database and takes vantage of exploiter stimulation to make change to its single-valued function as necessary .
Turn - by - turning piloting resolution for the iPhone include products live CoPilot Live for iPhone from ALK Technologies ( $ 35 ) and TomTom International BV’sTomTom app for the iPhone($100 ) . Both intersection admit maps of the U.S. and Canada that are stored on the phone . Maps of other countries and region are available , but at excess toll . Both offer customizable voice and detailed 2D and 3D maps with thousands of point of interest , access to weather , and dealings data ; and provide the iPhone with clear-cut data with large baptismal font for easy reading .
or else of generic maps , however , Google Maps Navigation can lead you to your goal using real overhead andstreet - level photos . you could tolerate the software to overlie your route over a satellite position — a feature not available inmost standalone GPS devices .
As you get skinny to your address , the seafaring blind switches toGoogle ’s Street View , an interactive , street - level photograph double-dyed with arrows . This eyeshot can be reassuring in cause where , for instance , you ’re looking for a specific building numeral but ca n’t see the sign from your car .
Testing the Maps
When tested with a the location of a Rite help apothecary’s shop in New York City , the navigation end accurately with a Street View of White Plains Road beneath the grand track of the No . 2 underground line in the Bronx , which has a stop just above the stock .
Of naturally Google does n’t haveStreet aspect image for all positioning . In these cases , the good available single-valued function , overhead or otherwise , are used .
Once the Droid is slip in into its optional car window mount , it automatically switches to “ Car nursing home ” mode , which provides immediate access to the features of Google Maps Navigation . The main carte includes five large icons label View Map , Navigation , Voice Search , Contacts , and Search ; and a smaller abode ikon that gets you back to the earpiece ’s home page .
In practice the voice search worked well , decently understanding the names of streets and landmarks . If the practical app is n’t certain of which fix you mean , it offers a list of choices . Aside from give it addresses , you’re able to say the name of a store ( “ Walgreens ” or “ Rite attention , ” for example ) or a type of business ( “ Formosan food , ” “ gas station , ” “ copy shop , ” etc . ) and the app will find a handful of position and let you opt from a list . It had a little trouble with “ CVS , ” however , not understanding that it was the name of a depot and not just three letter .
The top of the Google Maps Navigation screen glow unripe , chickenhearted or red to give you a hint of what traffic is like ahead of you . The directions barked out by the distaff voice was distinct and perceivable on the Droid and include warnings like “ GPS signal has been lost . ”
The user experience is about the same as with a standalone Global Positioning System twist except for the fact that the Droid ( like the iPhone ) has its own Internet connexion , as opposed to a GPS equipment which would need a Bluetooth connection to another twist to get on the cyberspace .
Droid’s Friend
The Droid’spowerful 550MHz CPU and computer hardware - speed up graphics give up for smooth scrolling of the seafaring maps as long as there ’s a right 3 thou data connection . While the iPhone ’s 480 - by-320 - pel display is more than enough for mathematical function , the Droid ’s ultra - piercing 480 - by-854 - pixel screen clearly give it an vantage with photographs .
Of course the key reward ofGoogle Maps Navigation over the iPhone solutionsis that it ’s free . No subscription is call for and since all of the mapping data is on the Web , there are no file that need to be updated on the telephone .
Google Maps Navigation is distinctly a work in advancement , however . The first screen you see when you access it on the Droid is a terse monitor of how young the intersection is : “ Google Maps Navigation is in beta . utilization caution . Do not cook this program while drive . dealings data is not real - metre , and directions may be wrong , dangerous , proscribed , or call for ferry . Keep your eye on the road ! ” Enough enjoin .
