Google Maps Navigation For The Android

Android phone users just may have a leg up here on iPhone owners. Google has, in public beta, their Google Maps Navigation app which is an internet-connected GPS navigation system with voice guidance. It is part of Google Maps for mobile and is available for phones with Android 1.6 and higher.

Google Maps Navigation uses your phone's internet connection to give you the latest maps and business data.

Here's a quick glance at some of the key features:

• Search in plain English. No need to know the address. You can type a business name or even a kind of a business, just like you would on Google.

• Search by voice. Speak your destination instead of typing (English only): “Navigate to the de Young Museum in San Francisco”.

• Traffic view. An on-screen indicator glows green, yellow, or red based on the current traffic conditions along your route. A single touch toggles a traffic view which shows the traffic ahead of you.

• Search along route. Search for any kind of business along your route, or turn on popular layers such as gas stations, restaurants, or parking.

• Satellite view. View your route overlaid on 3D satellite views with Google's high-resolution aerial imagery.

• Street View. Visualize 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.

And for you new Droid owners out there…YES this is for you as well.