A Complete Navigation Solution: Google Maps and Voice Guidance

[Chuong Nguyen]

This is a navigation solution based on Google Maps (http://www.google.com/maps), not Google Maps Mobile (http://pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=news&id=4725). Google Navigator 2.5 is a complete navigation product, offering voice directed turning instructions.

This product uses the technology from Google Maps, offering three different views: Map Mode, Satellite View, and Hybrid Mode.

According to some users over at XDA-Developers (http://www.xda-developers.com/), the software doesn't quite work on the Tilt because it uses some video intensive processing, of which the drivers aren't enabled for the Tilt/TyTN II. The petition to get some graphics/video drivers is located here (http://pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=news&id=4725).

However, if you do try Google Navigator and it does work on your device, let us know in the forums.

The satellite and hybrid views could be interesting. There are some more advanced software like [http://www.i-go.com/en/]i-Go My Way 8[/url] that offers visual 3-D renderings of building, but this is a cheaper solution at just $59.00 and a free trial is available. The difference between Google Navigator and solutions like i-Go is that i-Go will only offer some landmarks with 3-D building renderings whereas on Google Navigator, you get 3-D renderings and photos of buildings and places wherever it is available on Google.

[Kobaljov]

The size of the iGo maps is much smaller than G's, and requires only a 300 MHz PDA CPU. Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lQ4CF0dvaA

[cgavula]

I played with this a bit over the holiday weekend and I have to say I was less than impressed.

First - there are many typos and misspellings throughout the program giving it a very amateurish look.

Second- the screen update when moving is very slow -maybe once a second. Not smooth at all.

Third - map handling requires that you either have an always-on Internet connection (not listed as a requirement, by the way on the web site) or you need to download your maps and/or satellite images in all the desired zoom levels by moving the map around when you DO have an internet connection. If you have an EDGE only connection or are not in a 3G area you will be VERY disappointed in the load speed. It is not conducive to live navigation/movement.

It's interesting choice to use publicly available maps, but there needs to be a way to fully pre-load those maps for a trip in case you have a poor/no Internet connection available. I have this problem with Telenav too, especially since I am usually in non-3G areas.

All told there's a lot of potential here, but a lot more work needs to be done to make the experience less of a chore and more pleasant.

--Chris