gmb45
22nd April, 2010, 06:37 AM
...for Android phones in blow to TomTom
Google has launched a sat nav app for Android smartphones in the UK today, which could be a serious threat to the market leaders TomTom.
For while the TomTom app for the Apple iPhone is ?59.99, the Google Maps application is free.
The trial version of Google Maps Navigation, which launched in the U.S last autumn, is an Internet-connected GPS system that provides turn-by-turn voice guidance on Google Maps. It will run on all phones running Android 1.6 and above.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/21/article-1267803-093BE86D000005DC-504_224x405.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/21/article-1267803-093BE885000005DC-859_224x405.jpg
The Google Maps Navigation app can now be used to find your way around the UK. It was first launched in the U.S last autumn
It includes the most recent maps automatically sent via the internet and live traffic from Google Maps. Users can also switch to satellite views and street-level imagery.
Steve Lee, product manager for Google Maps for mobile, added: 'Once a route is loaded it remains cached in the phone's memory, so that the route will remain visible on your phone even if you move into an area without a signal.'
Like TomTom, the system includes up to date traffic conditions, glowing green, yellow or red based on the traffic flow.
It doesn't yet map out speed cameras on the route like TomTom, but does include a host of other impressive features.
The Google app switches to Street View when you near your destination, to let you see the layout of the local area as you arrive.
Another feature is search by voice, where you can find your destination, such as 'Trafalgar Square in London' simply by saying it out loud.
And the cherry on the cake is the search feature, where you can type in a description such as 'Starbuck' or 'Thai restaurant' if you have forgotten the address.
The app is bound to dismay dedicated sat nav firms such as TomTom and Garmin. However, Mr Lee defended the new app saying innovation and competition were good for the industry as a whole.
Google has launched a sat nav app for Android smartphones in the UK today, which could be a serious threat to the market leaders TomTom.
For while the TomTom app for the Apple iPhone is ?59.99, the Google Maps application is free.
The trial version of Google Maps Navigation, which launched in the U.S last autumn, is an Internet-connected GPS system that provides turn-by-turn voice guidance on Google Maps. It will run on all phones running Android 1.6 and above.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/21/article-1267803-093BE86D000005DC-504_224x405.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/21/article-1267803-093BE885000005DC-859_224x405.jpg
The Google Maps Navigation app can now be used to find your way around the UK. It was first launched in the U.S last autumn
It includes the most recent maps automatically sent via the internet and live traffic from Google Maps. Users can also switch to satellite views and street-level imagery.
Steve Lee, product manager for Google Maps for mobile, added: 'Once a route is loaded it remains cached in the phone's memory, so that the route will remain visible on your phone even if you move into an area without a signal.'
Like TomTom, the system includes up to date traffic conditions, glowing green, yellow or red based on the traffic flow.
It doesn't yet map out speed cameras on the route like TomTom, but does include a host of other impressive features.
The Google app switches to Street View when you near your destination, to let you see the layout of the local area as you arrive.
Another feature is search by voice, where you can find your destination, such as 'Trafalgar Square in London' simply by saying it out loud.
And the cherry on the cake is the search feature, where you can type in a description such as 'Starbuck' or 'Thai restaurant' if you have forgotten the address.
The app is bound to dismay dedicated sat nav firms such as TomTom and Garmin. However, Mr Lee defended the new app saying innovation and competition were good for the industry as a whole.