Google Maps Navigation

[makryger]

Wow, this is sweet. +1 for Motorola Droid. Alright, I am getting this phone.
Google adds free turn-by-turn navigation, car dock UI to Android 2.0 (video)

 

[gthrift]

I was already getting the phone but this makes it much cooler. I'm sure the dock will cost about $50 or more since it comes with a charger though.

Well... it looks like my girlfriend will get the GPS she always wanted since I won't need my Garmin Nuvi now.

 

[bluenik25]

I am almost crying i'm so excited. This is the phone I have been waiting for and it is with VZW!!

The video where he says to navigate to the king tut exhibit is SICK!

 

[scorrpio]

Makes my Garmin 765T look kinda primitive. Oh well - Garmin will work even when there's zero coverage.

Which makes me wonder: if I can look up a place on Google Maps and send it from my PC to the Garmin via USB, wonder if I can do the same from the Droid...

 

[Michel Dover]

TomTom, Garmin and others will be out of business with this new addition because a separate GPS hardware is not needed anymore. Nevertheless, it may take a few years to complete the application, as we see how slow is Google acting with basic functionallity issues. Google maps need to run off-line; once it is done, our phones will be much better than standard GPS units that work outdoor only.

 

[Carl C]

Android is really evolving ! An OS backed by Google is bound to be good!

 

[Ramshackle]

Im so happy!

 

[angusn]

TomTom, Garmin and others will be out of business with this new addition because a separate GPS hardware is not needed anymore. Nevertheless, it may take a few years to complete the application, as we see how slow is Google acting with basic functionallity issues. Google maps need to run off-line; once it is done, our phones will be much better than standard GPS units that work outdoor only.

Umm... What about navigating in areas where you don't have data coverage? Sure, Verizon Wireless has arguably the most complete coverage, however... it's not 100%. I'll keep relying on TomTom for my motorcycle, but now I won't have to keep moving my Rider to the car

 

[bluenik25]

As long as you have data coverage when you start your route you are OK. The phone downloads the entire route. It may get hairy if you get into a detour situation with no coverage.

I would be willing to bet that some developer will come out with stored map tiles that will work with the turn by turn in the future.

 

[Michel Dover]

Umm... What about navigating in areas where you don't have data coverage? Sure, Verizon Wireless has arguably the most complete coverage, however... it's not 100%. I'll keep relying on TomTom for my motorcycle, but now I won't have to keep moving my Rider to the car

I agree with you; this is not ready yet to change your TomTom, but once it will be finished, the GPS hardware will be obsolete.

 

[billd]

Garmin already has a GPS phone. It's a little disappointing and years late but they've got others in the works that might be better. They could even go to Android if they wanted to, though I expect they wouldn't because it would compete with their expensive GPS maps. They also have some nice sports GPS's (I have a bicycle one). I wouldn't count them out just yet, but this has got to hurt.

 

[johninbigd]

TomTom, Garmin and others will be out of business with this new addition because a separate GPS hardware is not needed anymore. Nevertheless, it may take a few years to complete the application, as we see how slow is Google acting with basic functionallity issues. Google maps need to run off-line; once it is done, our phones will be much better than standard GPS units that work outdoor only.

I don't think so. I just took a short two-hour trip through the mountains. I ended up getting lost and had to wait to get back into the next town with cell coverage to figure out where I was on the map. That wouldn't happen with Garmin.

 

[Ramshackle]

Lets remember that this will be a FREE app and already we are complaining about it.

 

[johninbigd]

Lets remember that this will be a FREE app and already we are complaining about it.

No one is complaining. We're just pointing out the differences between this and other GPS devices. I can't wait to get this phone and will be using this app regularly!

 

[johninbigd]

I just watched all those videos and all I can say is HOLY COW! I can't wait for this phone!

 

[angusn]

I've got my iPhone toting fanboy co-workers all asking me when I'm going to get this so they can see it. LOL

 

[Michel Dover]

I don't think so. I just took a short two-hour trip through the mountains. I ended up getting lost and had to wait to get back into the next town with cell coverage to figure out where I was on the map. That wouldn't happen with Garmin.

You may be confused. We are talking about a "future product" that does not exist yet: Android 2.0 with improved Google maps. I do not know what you took to the mountains, but it was not an Android 2.0 phone.

 

[johninbigd]

You may be confused. We are talking about a "future product" that does not exist yet: Android 2.0 with improved Google maps. I do not know what you took to the mountains, but it was not an Android 2.0 phone.

Definitely not. It was an iPhone. My point, and the point of another poster, is that these devices usually only work in areas where you have coverage. If this new Google maps product will allow us to download maps for times when we don't have coverage, I'll be extremely excited.

 

[King James]

I just got a tomtom like a month ago, so will continue to use it....although the google maps navigation looks very nice, and will only get better. I'm sure it will still come in handy if I'm not in my car or something

 

[johnlgalt]

I was going to get my Dad's brand new Garmin, but after seeing this I am positive I'll tell him to keep it. This is now 99.44% surely my next phone, only 9 days to go.

 

[deryn]

this phone will require a smartphone data plan, which includes VZ Navigation so if it gets spotty, just start VZW's nav.. it's included in the plan. Not to mention that there will probably be free map updates as opposed to TOMTOM/Nuvi/Garmin's pay-for updates

 

[NSXLA]

So magically Verizon Nav doesn't require data/signal? Wow you sir are brilliant!

If you plan on going to remote areas for whatever reason, you should have a GPS unit, Google Nav is meant to be used around town I suppose.

 

[makryger]

this phone will require a smartphone data plan, which includes VZ Navigation so if it gets spotty, just start VZW's nav.. it's included in the plan. Not to mention that there will probably be free map updates as opposed to TOMTOM/Nuvi/Garmin's pay-for updates

With other phones, I'm pretty certain that you don't get free VZNav with the $30 data plan. Thats an extra fee per month.

 

[deryn]

@NSXLA I was talking about Google's Nav Map Coverage. It may or may not be as up to date as VZ Nav

@makryger It's never "FREE" but it is included in the Premium Plan, which is $10 less than a smartphone plan. I know because I'm a sales manager for Verizon

 

[zachd]

this phone will require a smartphone data plan, which includes VZ Navigation so if it gets spotty, just start VZW's nav.. it's included in the plan. Not to mention that there will probably be free map updates as opposed to TOMTOM/Nuvi/Garmin's pay-for updates

From what I have searched through and read, VZ Nav isn't even going to be installed, or even available on this phone, since VZW did not touch any of the GPS on this phone like they do on all of their other phones, and left it up to Google (thank god).

So that won't be an option.