Google developing free navigation app?

We already know plenty of people who've eschewed traditional turn-by-turn GPS systems in favor of plotting it out for free on Google Maps, and now there's whispers that Mountain View is coming after the rest of the market with a free nav app. That's at least what nav services providers are saying to Forbes, who think El Goog is gearing up to release a free ad-supported navigation app after making moves to use its own US maps instead licensing data from Tele Atlas and putting ads on the iPhone Maps app. Obviously that would shake things up a ton -- and make Android devices a huge bargain -- but we'll see where this all leads over the next few months.

[Via Fierce Mobile Content; thanks Elad]

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 27th 2009 11:24PM]

Google have been preparing for this strategic move for some time. They have Google Mobile Maps user base; they have reduced their content costs by saying au revoir to TeleAtlas, with TomTom's market share, being a prime target. Commoditisation of GPS Navigation has been inevitable. Remember too that GPS navigation companies have been offering search too, a threat to Google's market share. There will be some insulation, given GPS Nav companies close relationships to carriers, I believe we will see a huge burst of innovation and new exciting business models.

Julian Bourne
Prompt - GPS calendar and traffic early warning system
#1 paid traffic app on BlackBerry.

[MegamanEXE Posted Oct 28th 2009 1:02AM]

http://consoles.freebiejeebies.co.uk/122957

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 5:26AM]

sounds good

[crunc Posted Oct 28th 2009 9:32AM]

Having been using the MotionX GPS Drive app for a while now, which works quite well, the main shortcoming of this type of live data turn-by-turn GPS application is that it is of no use if you don't have a signal, or have a signal but it is providing god-awful-slow data. Which doesn't make it useless as a whole by any means. In fact when you have the live data it's better then relying on a fixed and inherently out-of-date database. it's a really great thing, but what it needs is a local stored database that it can refer to when there is no live data or the data is too slow, and which it updates with live data when available and as you go. That would be the truly killer turn-by-turn GPS application.

[krooooog Posted Oct 28th 2009 10:00AM]

I think this could revolutionize navigation....imagine instead of having a 2D map your turns are presented using google street view allowing you to actually see the street you are driving down and the Starbucks at the corner where you need to turn right. How cool is that!


Its amazing how many people cannot comprehend the difference between turn-by-turn prompted navigation and having a map with a list of streets and actions.

For those people... Turn by turn involves the device knowing where you are based on GPS and how fast you are moving and where you are going, and then prompts you to turn at the right time. That is very different from having a map on the screen with a red line on it and a list of streets to turn on.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 11:02AM]

special thanks to Nilay Patel @reckless for "trying to give a little shine to one of my favorite spots"

http://hideoutchicago.com

and thanks for posting the link to your band Heaven '70s playing @hideoutchicago

@award @Abhishek @Choco_Taco please stop in sometime and enjoy The Hideout!

@Nicholas_Arlo we are The Hideout, but certainly not exclusive to hipsters (whatever they are)

@ChicagoWiseguy understand what you mean as compared with some nearby gentrified areas - it's industrial, off the beaten path, sure, but would hardly call our location "ghetto" or "hardcore"

@idrumgood thanks for loving The Hideout ~ we do love our patrons!

@Matt please do stop in sometime, and enjoy The Hideout!

@raythepa Wabansia is about 1400N ~ our short section of it can be hard to find, though, as it was cut off from the rest of the street to the west when the Kennedy was built

@cletis hmmm...
thanks for kind "Great combination..." compliment and...
- industrial corridor, yes, but Clybourn is on the other side of the river around here
- outdoor factory ambiance not "hideously ugly" to us, views of friends & southeast to Loop from patio can be breathtaking!
- place maintains more of a "if you love it here, you'll fit in, no matter who you are" vibe
- definitely not exclusionary, though gladly _some_ from nearby neighborhoods self-select out
- when first skated to h/o over 10 years ago, hid gear under a table, tried to "fit in" & found didn't need to, as anyone who wants to fit in will

@david yo thanks!

@danny thanks and hope your iPhone dries out fine!

@jromeh Jerome the @hideoutchicago webmaster

[Scarlettjacob Posted Dec 16th 2009 11:35PM]

Google reportedly is developing a free mobile navigation app that rivals premium offerings.Google has clearly been investing in mapping.Multiple navigation services indicate they believe Google is developing its own turn-by-turn, voice-guided service. Presumably the service would continue with the firm's practice of offering free, advertiser-supported services.Mio Navman M400D