Not only have Google just announced Android 2.0 Eclair, they’ve also revealed their new ‘Google Maps Navigation’ program, which will run on Android 2.0. The application will first be available on the Motorola Droid and looks to be very exciting when it does come to fruition, especially when you take into consideration that it’ll be free of charge.
From The Google website:
Google Maps Navigation is an internet-connected GPS navigation system with voice guidance. It is part of Google Maps for mobile and is available for phones with Android 2.0.
Google Maps Navigation uses your phone’s internet connection to give you the latest maps and business data. But that’s not all that’s different about Google’s approach to GPS navigation. Watch the below video to learn more.
Features of Navigation include:
- Search in plain English. No need to know the address. You can type a business name or even a kind of a business, just like you would on Google.
- Search by voice. Speak your destination instead of typing (English only): "Navigate to the de Young Museum in San Francisco".
- Traffic view. An on-screen indicator glows green, yellow, or red based on the current traffic conditions along your route. A single touch toggles a traffic view which shows the traffic ahead of you.
- Search along route. Search for any kind of business along your route, or turn on popular layers such as gas stations, restaurants, or parking.
- Satellite view. View your route overlaid on 3D satellite views with Google’s high-resolution aerial imagery.
- Street View. Visualize turns overlaid on Google’s Street View imagery. Navigation automatically switches to Street View as you approach your destination.
- 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.
At the moment Google Navigation is only available in the US and on devices that run Android, but hopefully it won’t be too long before navigation makes its way to Europe.
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