-as Google Maps Navigation launches FREE turn-by-turn app for mobile phones
Google has unveiled a free navigation system for mobile phones, which could spell the end of consumers paying for costly navigation devices from firms such as TomTom.
The Motorola Droid will be the first phone equipped with Google Maps Navigation, which will include many of the features of traditional GPS devices such as three-dimensional views and turn-by-turn voice guidance.
The internet-connected system allows navigation using voice search in English, provides live traffic data, satellite imagery from Google Maps and Google's 'street view' - real pictures of destinations.
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Google Maps Navigation has turn-by-turn voice guidance and uses satellite imagery as well as pictures from Google's 'street view'
It will be a major challenger to TomTom, which released a ?60 application for the Apple iPhone just a few days ago.
TomTom's cheapest in-car satnav is ?149.99 for the UK and ROI with prices rising to ?391 for the top of the range device covering the U.S, Canada and Europe.
Shares in the Dutch navigation device maker sharply declined 24 per cent yesterday following the Google satnav launch. They have dropped 13 per cent in value today.
TomTom's share decline wipes out all gains from August, and it is also warning of lower navigation device sales prices in during the upcoming holiday sales season.
Shares of U.S. navigation device maker Garmin were also affected and sank 18 per cent today.
The Google satnav is the highlight of the new Google operating system Android 2.0 that was released on Tuesday.
The Droid is the latest challenger to the iPhone killer but will only be available on the U.S Verizon Wireless network.
UK phone users must wait for smartphones using the first version of Android to update to the 2.0 version.
HTC have confirmed they are working on this for their popular Hero handset. T-Mobile smartphones also use Android.
New phones with the operating system will support multiple email accounts as well as built-in Facebook and Google.
A Quick Search box will allow users to search the web and their phone direct from their home screen.
The Motorola Droid has integrated Google and Facebook support through the Android O.S
Google said they have rethought the multi-touch features and promise the virtual keyboard will offer faster and more accurate typing.
Finally, the camera support will have digital zoom, white balance controls and macro focus.
Kent German and Bonnie Cha from technology website CNET were impressed by the Android 2.0 in action on the Droid.
'The display is gorgeous, Android 2.0 looks spiffy, and the handset appears to be lightning fast. Though we'll refrain from using the dreaded 'iPhone killer' expression, comparisons between the two devices are obvious,' they said.
'The Google Maps Navigation app looks very promising and certainly a huge feature addition for Android 2.0.'
Google has unveiled a free navigation system for mobile phones, which could spell the end of consumers paying for costly navigation devices from firms such as TomTom.
The Motorola Droid will be the first phone equipped with Google Maps Navigation, which will include many of the features of traditional GPS devices such as three-dimensional views and turn-by-turn voice guidance.
The internet-connected system allows navigation using voice search in English, provides live traffic data, satellite imagery from Google Maps and Google's 'street view' - real pictures of destinations.
Enlarge
Enlarge
Google Maps Navigation has turn-by-turn voice guidance and uses satellite imagery as well as pictures from Google's 'street view'
It will be a major challenger to TomTom, which released a ?60 application for the Apple iPhone just a few days ago.
TomTom's cheapest in-car satnav is ?149.99 for the UK and ROI with prices rising to ?391 for the top of the range device covering the U.S, Canada and Europe.
Shares in the Dutch navigation device maker sharply declined 24 per cent yesterday following the Google satnav launch. They have dropped 13 per cent in value today.
TomTom's share decline wipes out all gains from August, and it is also warning of lower navigation device sales prices in during the upcoming holiday sales season.
Shares of U.S. navigation device maker Garmin were also affected and sank 18 per cent today.
The Google satnav is the highlight of the new Google operating system Android 2.0 that was released on Tuesday.
The Droid is the latest challenger to the iPhone killer but will only be available on the U.S Verizon Wireless network.
UK phone users must wait for smartphones using the first version of Android to update to the 2.0 version.
HTC have confirmed they are working on this for their popular Hero handset. T-Mobile smartphones also use Android.
New phones with the operating system will support multiple email accounts as well as built-in Facebook and Google.
A Quick Search box will allow users to search the web and their phone direct from their home screen.
The Motorola Droid has integrated Google and Facebook support through the Android O.SGoogle said they have rethought the multi-touch features and promise the virtual keyboard will offer faster and more accurate typing.
Finally, the camera support will have digital zoom, white balance controls and macro focus.
Kent German and Bonnie Cha from technology website CNET were impressed by the Android 2.0 in action on the Droid.
'The display is gorgeous, Android 2.0 looks spiffy, and the handset appears to be lightning fast. Though we'll refrain from using the dreaded 'iPhone killer' expression, comparisons between the two devices are obvious,' they said.
'The Google Maps Navigation app looks very promising and certainly a huge feature addition for Android 2.0.'
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