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New Google Service Shakes-Up Navigation Industry

New Google Service Shakes-Up Navigation Industry

17 Nov 2009

In a move that has increased pressure on Sat Nav companies, Google has announced its own mapping service that offers turn-by-turn navigation for smartphones running Android 2.0. Google Maps Navigation will even go the extra mile by providing images of the end destination.

Shares in both TomTom and Garmin fell by more than 10 per cent at the end of last month when light was first shed on Google Maps Navigation. The industry is concerned that customers will turn to the free service instead of buying new model GPS devices.

Network carriers such as Telstra, Optus and Vodafone stand to benefit from the software, as it will increase smartphone data usage.

Google Maps Navigation builds on the company’s extensive road database and will feature regular Sat Nav facilities such as estimated route times and spoken directions.

The software can also be voice activated and will make use of live traffic information to steer drivers around roadworks, traffic jams and other diversions on their route.

Users will be able to choose between viewing overhead maps or a 3D display based on Google Street View.

The system will even still continue to navigate when the GPS signal is lost, and will update maps without any extra fees. Telstra say that the cost of the off-board navigation will be included in the Android phone’s data amount.

Learn more about GPS at CeBIT’s Geospatial Exhibition.

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