Comments on: Updated: Google Maps Navigation [Free as in Just Free] for Android 2.0 — Coming Eventually to iPhone

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:35:01 +0000

For those of you who said they wanted the shirt, it’s for sale at the Google Store:

http://www.googlestore.com/Wearables/Google+Map+T-Shirt.axd

Until just now I didn’t even realize Google HAD a store! Wow…

By: EvoL Lime

EvoL Lime — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:48:01 +0000

That would b awesome if they do release it 4 the iPhone so that way I can cancel my AT&T navigator…

By: Omari James

Omari James — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:23:01 +0000

Wow, this is really nice. Finally they added some features I've been wishing for. For example, alternate routes. You have no idea how annoying that it tells you only one way of getting there. the street view while driving is also pretty cool.

One thing they should add is the option to create a road plan, if you will. Have different stops in between the departure and arrival.

By: Mav

Mav — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:57:27 +0000

Though it sounds exciting usage of Goggle navigation will be rather limited without cached maps. If you are in the area with no signal, bad reception or roaming you can forget about it.

By: Elric

Elric — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:42:03 +0000

You should make the video compaitble with ahem IPHONES!

By: Christopher Vitek

Christopher Vitek — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:09:03 +0000

Only concern is that since you are downloading from Google, you need a data connection. What happens if you drive out of range? Or in an area with Edge only (and can’t use the phone and data at the same time?) Edge is pretty slow – I had problems in the past with Google maps keeping up as I was driving.

By: iDavey

iDavey — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:57:49 +0000

@Rich

It does have a voice with it. They have a video on Engadget

@Rene

You should update the title. Gizmode has stated that the turn by turn is NOT supported by ads. It's just completely free...

By: f1nbar

f1nbar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:55:31 +0000

Voice control… ahhh thats google for you always thinking of blind people

By: Dalekkiller

Dalekkiller — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:45:39 +0000

When I saw this, I thought “great, good job I held off buying the TomTom app” then I saw the “only works in U.S. bit. It can be really frustrating for those of us who live abroad when cool, killer apps appear but are only for U.S. users.

By: Franz

Franz — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:18:19 +0000

I’m curious how well taking calls during navigation could work. Does Verizon’s CDMA network allow simultaneous voice and data? I know TomTom and others can’t keep running while taking a call currently, but Apple could flip a switch and make that possible. With CDMA I don’t think this could ever happen. That said, Verizon’s 3G coverage could make their streaming map solution viable in non-urban areas unlike on AT&T. Any word on if the robot voice has spoken full street names? If they bring Google Navigation to the iPhone,would we have to have a Google dock.

By: Rudy

Rudy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:16:04 +0000

Looks like I may be switching carrier and phone. Google is really impressing me lately. First a fresh ui and now new innovations that google it’s self not outside developers are always working hard on. A plus on productivity

By: Rene Ritchie

Rene Ritchie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:12:59 +0000

@mike

We always post our own videos in iPhone friendly format, and do our best to post others' likewise, but unfortunately, we have no control over that, and no legal right to reformat them.

However, these are both YouTube videos, and while it might take YouTube a while to process the iPhone specific versions, there's no reason or excuse why they shouldn't play on the iPhone and soon.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:03:03 +0000

I want it!!

By: Rich

Rich — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:42:48 +0000

I couldn’t tell from the video — does the system include a voice to tell you when to turn? It seems like it doesn’t (or they would have highlighted it in the video). I haven’t used other GPS systems in my car, but it seems like this would be a plus.

By: iShirk

iShirk — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:26:07 +0000

@iDavey

Dude shut it. Just close that mouth of yours. Stop pretending you know whats going on behind the scenes with companies, all you know is what you read on blogs and we all know that can be trusted. /s Just quiet down

By: Gregg

Gregg — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:22:05 +0000

I'm with Mike on this one. Videos won't play. However. That stupid cigarette lighter iPhone holder thread. Those videos play. So maybe it's who posts them. I think Rene posted the other one. This one is different.

And on Android. I've said it once and I will say it again. Anyone that goes to the android cartoon looking OS after owning an iPhone needs their head examined. The OS is friggin butt compared to iPhone. It still looks cartoony like Barney designed it. And the little android robot looks like a Canadian from southpark. It's just an abomination. Disgusting to say the least.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:54:53 +0000

Rene, as this is an iPhone blog, could ya post videos that will play on the iPhone? Many use that as their only computing device (except for dusting off the PC/Mac when an OS update drops)

By: Al

Al — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:27:31 +0000

Wow this looks sounds good. Everyone who spent a small fortune on the TomTom stuff is now kicking themselves.

By: iDavey

iDavey — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:57:53 +0000

Which videos are y’all watching where the OS on DROID is slow? I’ve yet to see it.

By: Roddddney

Roddddney — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:57:37 +0000

I love Google’s consistent innovation. Although the hardware it appears on is just not sexy enough for me to make the jump. They keep apple pushing the envelope just to keep up.

For original free iphone wallpapers please visit my new blog http://www.useaswallpaper.com

By: fastlane

fastlane — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:51:44 +0000

I still prefer my GPS on a separate device for now.

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:51:36 +0000

I’ve always wanted to go Android. This is just another reason to do so. Come on Apple, I know you have it already. Just tell us its comingggggg. Maybe then I won’t switch. The way apple keeps these secrets kind of makes me lose interest in them. But that’s just me.

By: Fanboy

Fanboy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:39:59 +0000

Obama

is right droid is slow. It's like a business man without coffee he's bound to f*ck up.

By: A.J.

A.J. — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:30:50 +0000

I definitely want that shirt.

By: Obama The Communist

Obama The Communist — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:24:28 +0000

@Rjd Droid is not the iPhone killer YET. they still would need to make the OS more optimized before i switch over to that. Every single video i’ve seen yet of Droid OS is very sluggy and laggy compared to the iPhone OS, which is KING in that department.

By: iDavey

iDavey — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:13:10 +0000

I love how you can just give a vague mention, and it still finds what you’re looking for. That is what’s doing it for me.

By: Rjd

Rjd — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:13:09 +0000

Droid is the iPhone killer – and on a network that you can actually use. I see my iPhone turning into an iPod touch in the near future.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:11:41 +0000

I absolutely love my Navigon Navigator on the iPhone - EXCEPT - searching for locations (unless taken from Contacts or looking for nearest gas stations and such), really sucks. You can't just search for a name of a restaurant or museum. You have to go into a category and possibly a sub-category and you need to know what town it is in (not always easy where I live).

I also have MotionX GPS Drive which is way more user friendly in its search although not at the level Google seems to be.

There is a real need for improvement and Google at least has the search feature the way it should be. Can't wait to see what happens.

By: I Know

I Know — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:11:13 +0000

Apple is way behind on the software end. The Android train just keeps on chugging.

By: cardfan

cardfan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:53 +0000

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10384544-265.html?tag=mncol;posts

However, Google is working with Apple on bringing it to the iPhone, and it’s not ruling out licensing the software to makers of portable navigation devices used in cars throughout the world, said Gundotra, vice president of engineering at Google for mobile and developers. The process involving Apple is slightly different from the usual App Store submission process, because Maps is a built-in iPhone application, he said.

By: Dyvim

Dyvim — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:56:15 +0000

Would be nice for iPhone OS 3.2, but probably more likely for 4.0 Still, I definitely would like to have it as an option.

By: iDavey

iDavey — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:39:42 +0000

I doubt it's up to Google...it's up to Apple.

And if they allowed this, it would be stepping on a lot of toes.

I like to see how this is played out.

By: cardfan

cardfan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:29:05 +0000

That’s just awesome..