Google announces Google Maps Navigation (Beta) for Android mobile phone users in UK and Ireland

LONDON, 21st April. Today Google announced the next step for Google Maps for mobile in UK and Ireland – the availability of Google Maps Navigation (Beta) for phones running Android 1.6 and above.

Google Maps Navigation (Beta) is an Internet-connected GPS navigation or ‘satnav’ system that provides turn-by-turn voice guidance as a free feature of Google Maps for phones running Android 1.6 and above. Key features include Search by voice to find your destination, the most recent maps, businesses and live traffic from Google Maps, and street-level and satellite views.

Google Maps Navigation (Beta) uses your phone’s Internet connection to give you the latest maps and business data. You never need to buy map upgrades or manually update your device because you’re always using the most recent data from Google Maps.

Google Maps Navigation (Beta) was built from the ground up as an Internet-connected GPS system, making the following features possible:

• Search in plain English. No need to know the address. You can type a business name (e.g. “starbucks”) or even a kind of a business (e.g. “thai restaurant”), just like you would on Google.
• Search by voice. Speak your destination instead of typing (English only): “Navigate to Trafalgar Square in London”.
• Traffic view. An on-screen indicator glows green, yellow, or red based on the current traffic conditions along your route, where available. A single touch on the indicator toggles a traffic view that shows the traffic ahead.
• Search along route. Search for any kind of business along your route, or turn on popular layers such as petrol stations, restaurants, or parking.
• Satellite view. View your route overlaid on 3D satellite views with Google’s high-resolution aerial imagery.
• Street View. Visualise turns overlaid on Google’s Street View imagery. Navigation automatically switches to Street View as you approach your destination.
• Car dock mode. For certain devices, placing your phone in a car dock activates a special mode that makes it easy to use your device at arm’s length.

To get Google Maps with Navigation (Beta), search for and download the newest release of ‘Google Maps’ in Android Market from your Android 1.6+ phone.

Useful resources:

More more info on features and video of how this feature works: www.google.co.uk/intl/en/mobile/navigation/

For images please contact Laura Scott, laurascott@google.com.

Labels: English (UK), UK news announcements