Google Nav System Shakes up GPS

[OptiplexFx]

Google Nav System Shakes up GPS
Jeff Bertolucci
Oct 29, 2009 9:17 am
(source : PCWorld)

Well, Google's done it again: Tossed a monkey wrench inside a well-oiled, profitable machine, and gummed it up good. Of course, I'm talking out the company's foray into the turn-by-turn GPS navigation market, a bold move that's bound to cause more than a few migraines at the headquarters of GPS kingpins Garmin and TomTom.

Google's map play could be bad news for the Apple iPhone, too, particularly if it convinces folks to buy one of the new Android 2.0 handsets that support the nav system. Why? Because Google Maps Navigation is free. And it's not a half-baked freebie either. As this demo video illustrates, the nav program is a useful tool that deftly blends Google's map and street views with traffic information and voice commands.

Not bad for a free app, wouldn't you say? Contrast that with the $100 price for either TomTom GPS software for the iPhone, or Navigon's Mobile Navigator North America. To many consumers, these apps will now seem wildly overpriced. GPS app vendors may have to cut their prices, offer ad-supported free versions (and I wonder if Google's nav app will ultimately take that route), or trot out amazing new features to warrant their high costs.

Google Maps Navigation could have a huge impact on the overall smartphone market as well. It may be the first killer app for Android, a must-have feature that lures consumers--particularly commuters seeking a smartphone with good nav features--away from the iPhone.

Of course, the iPhone has its fair share of advantages --100K apps come to mind -- and Apple has less to fear than the GPS vendors. It's no surprise that both TomTom's and Garmin's stock prices took a dive on the day of the Google announcement. The big bad wolf has entered the woods, and it's giving away free treats.

 

[OptiplexFx]

Looks like finaly those who are in SL are going to get some form of official GPS service with maps. But one problem I see in this approach is the constant data usage. If google can provide the ability to use offline Maps, that would really make this a big hit all over the world, coz maybe exept in US, data plans are still pretty expensive in the rest of the world. And then of cause most of us will have to wait some time for them to release it on other mobile platforms (i.e Symbian, Windows Mobile, or Java)

 

[pavithra_uk]

Looks like finaly those who are in SL are going to get some form of official GPS service with maps. But one problem I see in this approach is the constant data usage. If google can provide the ability to use offline Maps, that would really make this a big hit all over the world, coz maybe exept in US, data plans are still pretty expensive in the rest of the world. And then of cause most of us will have to wait a some time for them to release it on other mobile platforms (i.e Symbian, Windows Mobile, or Java)

Im using MGMaps on my SE C702 phone. its a offline Google maps. working great like Google maps. including road maps and sat views.

 

[OptiplexFx]

Im using MGMaps on my SE C702 phone. its a offline Google maps. working great like Google maps. including road maps and sat views.

I thought they removed support for google maps, but its not a GPS navigation software right ? Just a viewer for maps, isnt it ?

 

[pavithra_uk]

I thought they removed support for google maps, but its not a GPS navigation software right ? Just a viewer for maps, isnt it ?

But it still working with Google maps. I tested it. I think satNav functions are not support in Sri lanka. but its show position, heading, speed etc., it marks GPS position on road maps or sat views. and moving it when we travelling.

 

[OptiplexFx]

But it still working with Google maps. I tested it. I think satNav functions are not support in Sri lanka. but its show position, heading, speed etc., it marks GPS position on road maps or sat views. and moving it when we travelling.

Navigation support is NOT something that needs special satellite support. Navigation capability is in the navigation application or the device itself. Satellites will only relay the position information, routing (or the path to navigate) is calculated by the navigation application using current position and destination.

Anyways, a map viewer is pretty much useless when navigating, all you can do is find the current location. And you have to know where you are going and what path to take. In other words it is a digital map with a pointer to your current location . I suppose it is better than nothing. But a true navigation application is something completely different.

I normally use Garmin Mobile XT. But if google come up with offline map support for their new nav app I'll switch to that.

 

[pavithra_uk]

There are lot of missing in currently google maps. only A,B roads are available. even colombo, navigation may not be possible due to one-way road rules and damn changes very frequently.

How much time take to get GPS fix on your device..?

 

[OptiplexFx]

There are lot of missing in currently google maps. only A,B roads are available. even colombo, navigation may not be possible due to one-way road rules and damn changes very frequently.

How much time take to get GPS fix on your device..?

Yeah, SL maps are not very detailed yet.. But they are improving. what they have now is much better than what they had a year ago..

I have a Nokia 5800. Normally less than 30 seconds, but sometimes more, depends on the location I guess. Not in Sri Lanka though..

 

[prasadana2]

Gps support is there in google maps for mobile rit?
u need a N95 or a model that has GPS on it...
i have used GPS in sl accurcy rate is 60m on the map for Goggle maps
but u will need GPRS coz the map is download ed live via internet...

 

[fzlhmt]

dis comes with android 2.0 update, most probably in 2010

 

[pavithra_uk]

Gps support is there in google maps for mobile rit?
u need a N95 or a model that has GPS on it...
i have used GPS in sl accurcy rate is 60m on the map for Goggle maps
but u will need GPRS coz the map is download ed live via internet...

Im getting less than 10m accuracy from my SE C702. sometimes less than 5m
(after 5 minutes of GPS fix, clear sky, even indoor)

I can see even which room im in from sat view images (our house roof top is showing 5mm x 5mm size @ max zoom

its 100% offline. (I get only our area that cover leass than 100sqKm because my memeory card 256MB)

 

[OptiplexFx]

Gps support is there in google maps for mobile rit?
u need a N95 or a model that has GPS on it...
i have used GPS in sl accurcy rate is 60m on the map for Goggle maps
but u will need GPRS coz the map is download ed live via internet...

Yes, Google Maps for Mobile shows your current GPS location, gives driving directions and you can search for nearby POIs (not in SL). But it is not a fully fledged real time turn by turn navigation app (like Garmin, TomTom or those in-dash GPS navigation units). But this new Google Nav System is supposed to be something like that (perhaps not as sophisticated like other GPS solutions out there with voice support, weather and real time traffic updates etc..) but better than what they have now. And yes it requires a phone with a built in GPS. and a data plan.

dis comes with android 2.0 update, most probably in 2010

Yep, it will take some time to be available, and you need an android powerd device to run it. But hopefully google will support other platforms.