We apologize for being fanish, but Google has pulled off something with its new
Navigation elements in Google Maps (or is it Google Maps in a Navigation app? It's hard to tell) that has
serious ramifications for a navigation device industry used to
charging money for functionality. The introduction of satellite view, a tasteful touch of street view (peep a still of your next turn, or see your destination), and of course regular stuff like spoken directions and street names, and Google's voice recognition applied to search (anywhere on the device just tap voice search and start your phrase with "navigate to") make this a pretty astonishing offering for what's essentially a free app with the purchase of an Android 2.0 device. The biggest worry here is that if you lose signal you won't be able to pull maps, but while there's no whole-map caching, it does cache a route when you enter it in, so as long as you don't stray too far from the beaten path you should be fine with a dropped signal here or there. But enough of our blather, check out a video walkthrough after the break.
posted Oct 28th 2009 1:58PM
iPhone, There, Downrank me
^
They're doing it wrong.
one downrank coming right up!
Pay for a GPS?
Don't need an app for that. :)
I mean, thank you for low ranking the troll, but please don't feed it or comment every time you are going to down rank him/her or else the whole page will be filled with that crap and he will succeed in spoiling the real Droid-centric comments into 2nd page. Now skip this and read the important rest.
This is the reason Apple purchased that map company.
This isn't coming to iPhone.
Holy shit, it's all coming together.
@gibson
You, sir, are exactly right. Both the iPhone(with their own map app) and Android will both have this... difference is? Android is on what, 3 or 4 different carriers and soon to be on a mess of phones? Google wins.
take out your umbrellas, the desperate trolls are ready to act a fool
i'm confused as to why other gps manufacturers will be out of business? you still have to buy an android 2.0 phone which costs just as much, if not more, than a standalone gps. and on top of that, you need to pay a monthly data fee that is at least $30 a month.
in the end it seems like you're spending more money the google way...
only way I see google stealing the thunder is if a manufacturer makes a standalone GPS that has preloaded Google Maps w/ Navigation and since the software is free, you're only paying for the physical device, leading to DRASTIC savings. (as opposed to standalone GPS's where you are paying for both the physical device AND the software included in it)
does anyone know if google will be allowing this to be downloaded and used on anything? or is it only restricted to the "with Google" android phones? if this can be obtained on a PID running android 2.0 (something similar to the Archos 5) then we're talking about something serious. even if the PID costs as much as a standalone GPS, the plethora of functionalities contained within that one device will make it worth it.
For those of you comparing this to the iPhone, Google is bringing this exact service to the iPhone as well as including it with Android. And yes, they are working directly with Apple to do it.
No caching? No problem. Best part about this phone is it's on Verizon. Haven't dropped a call for a long time.
Far cry from my poor sister who I can never get in touch with cause she has to leave her house to get reception on her iPhone.
@Dan
Because most people buy or have cellphones already. It's a device that everyone carries around, so why not also have it be the best, or at least a very good, GPS unit. This kind of takes away a big reason to buy a standalone GPS player. All mobile devices like this are converging in on the one device everyone owns. So you dont need an MP3 player, and a Camera, and a GPS, and a PMP, and a phone.
Convergence killed the GPS stars :)
This is like a thumb in the eye for the competition.
verizon network is good but not saturated for every square inches of usa.
the only thing that would kill tomtom and garmin is if google lets you cache or even better... load 2gb of all the roads onto your sd card. till then, a standalone gps is still a lot better.
@Jack. No... no they aren't.
Canizorro - Yes. Yes they are.
"However, Google is working with Apple on bringing it to the iPhone, and it's not ruling out licensing the software to makers of portable navigation devices used in cars throughout the world, said Gundotra, vice president of engineering at Google for mobile and developers."
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10384544-265.html
And please, downrank me some more because you're too stupid to use google.
The last time Moto did something right was the Razor...
Finally they came through!!!
@Dan -
Lepel :-)
@Dan -
Lepel :-)
How about downranking the iPhone? I have an iPhone 3G with contract up in July, and up until this post, I was pretty satisfied. But if Apple doesn't get this on an iPhone by then, I'm gone.
U SIR, ARE AN IDIOT!
And on a note to this though, I'M SO GLAD GOOGLE FINALLY MADE A TURN-BY-TURN NAVIGATION SYSTEM, and its FREE!!!! I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one whose waited for this by Google but I was kinda bummed that the G1 didn't have something like this in it's release time and soon afterward. I wanted something free or at least a decent monthly price but some of them were charging ridiculous $40 a month fees. The phone has GPS, but some of the applications sucked for GPS. NAV4all is pretty good but goodness the UI could use a remake. Looks like something from an 80's Atari game. But this is going to seal the deal. They've been saying this will also be on Black Berry's and the iPhone but I hope Google keeps it exclusive to Google/Android products only. Let's see what they can cook up to compete, after all competition gets the best out of all of us.
@Paul
"Convergence killed the GPS stars :)"
That is, until you need to take or make a call and still see your directions. I'd rather have a dedicated device for GPS... that's one convergence I'll never go with.
Looking good :)
To me this is the UGLYEST phone ive ever seen and its made by motoCRAP
So im not buying it, unless they put a round logo with a bite mark and leaf on it
I have to admit that android is looking more attractive than iphone OS every time i see it, especially when more apps come
O C 34
SHADDUP !!!
You'll use whatever phone yer Mommy and Daddy
will buy for you.
@12 you git no choices
Wait... so, with a double click I can see a "Street view" picture of the street I'm driving on... while I'm driving... on that same street...
Can't I just look out the window of my car and see the street view?
But what if the street you're on doesn't match the street view?
From his explanation, street view is of the upcoming corner. I think your missing the point, sometimes it's difficult to figure out where to turn, like lets say a tricky freeway fork. What if there are two right turns and your not sure which one to take. Well a street view pic would help make that clear. Also a street view pic of a restaurant or final destination would also make it easier to spot while your driving by.
This doesn't provide street view the whole time...that would just be silly.
If I were there I would have turned around and smacked that woman! God damn.
"and, like... one of the things, that, like...." SMACK!
/ annoying voice
@Blackstar At night..
software looks like 2010....hardware looks like 1910...lol
Sucks to be Garmin, nuvi, etc.
Yeah those companies are dead.
Dumping, anyone?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-competitive_practices
dbs)
I see no evidence that they are planning to start charging for it. But if they do (after other companies go out of buiness) then, yes.
As it stands, you could claim that Ubuntu is dumping on the OS market
It's not dumping if they never charge for it.
I don't see google selling a product. I see google providing a free service.
@dbs It's free and included with an android phone, so therefore dumping probably doesn't apply.
stocks speaks a thousand words...
I've been telling the "Old Hag" for years, that Verizon
was best. These kinda apps just might rise Mr Moto
from certain death.
Yeah Baby......you're gonna get
a replacement for your indestructable RAZR
Garmin and Nuvi are the same thing - nuvi is their brand name.
I'm not 100% sure this will kill them. The dedicated hardware PND is still better for navigation - even down to the speaker. But I do think it'll kill the future of the nuviphone.
Googles maps are still not all stored locally, it'll cost a fortune to do overseas and there is still a monthly cost involved for the data access. If you are out of range of cell signal, you can't plan a new route.
People who don't want a smartphone now, won't want to get an Android powered nav device.
There are already multiple software nav solutions on Android (and the iPhone), and while they are decent sellers, they haven't exactly made a dent in PND sales.
Did you actually read the definition of "dumping" before you posted that?
"where a company sells a product in a competitive market at a loss. Though the company loses money for each sale, the company hopes to force other competitors out of the market, after which the company would be free to raise prices for a greater profit."
Free != sell. Free is free. Google is giving the product away.
Also, for every person google GIVES this product to, they will not be making a loss. They will be increasing their revenue through more ad sales.
If you want an example of "dumping", you can look to the game console industry. Every manufacturer takes a loss on their console the first few years it is released in the hopes of expanding their market share. Expanding market share is just another way to say "force other competitors out of the market", unless you are aware of some market where the saturation can be greater than 100%.
If you don't, take your google hate and mis-information elsewhere.
Sorry dude, but Google Maps works globally. I used Google maps when I am in Spain and France ... I can even get down to street view.
JUST LIKE I SAID
DIE GARMIN
DIE TOMTOM
FROM HELL'S HEART I STABBETH THEE
marmolade,
Do you understand what Dumping is? It sure sounds like you don't.
Why is dumping a bad thing? What is the effect it's going to have?
Is Google making money on this product? They seem to have a lot of 'free' things they are really selling, but the payment is coming to them in a roundabout way. They know, just as anyone reasonable knows, that they will make much more money if they can drastically reduce the number of competing GPS and smartphone devices. If Google is the primary app on most handheld devices in 20 years, Google will make much more money, and one good way to do that is to dump this GPS software, and various other software, and drive competitors out of business.
Finding some arbitrary distinction, such as that Google doesn't charge an upfront price for their profitable software, is childish. The same (or worse) effect is occurring.
I love google aps... i use tons of them, and though they are rarely as good as the best, they are always a tremendous bargain because they are superficially free. Why pay all the money for a dedicated email service when gmail is ad supported? But I know, in the long run, I do not want Google or any other company to dominate. I want Garmin and Tom Tom to go ahead and offer a competitor. Of course, it will be nearly impossible to succeed doing so... Google's advertising empire is just too powerful.
@RoboDan
Hey you've learned from the last time. Good job, now that's drama.
marm0lade,
I think an experienced lawyer can get around your argument pretty easily. Though, I'm not a lawyer, but if you look up the definition of sell, you can see that your argument already has some big holes:
1. To exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent.
3. To give up or surrender in exchange for a price or reward: sell one's soul to the devil.
a. To bring about or encourage sales of; promote: Good publicity sold the product.
6. To persuade (another) to recognize the worth or desirability of something: They sold me on the idea.
1. To exchange ownership for money or its equivalent; engage in selling.
3. To attract prospective buyers; be popular on the market: an item that sells well.
4. To be approved of; gain acceptance.
The key word here is "equivalent". That's a lot of leeway. And any lawyer with a good enough imagination can figure out what 'equivalent' is. But enough with dweeb minded pedantic thinkking! No judge will ever accept your argument, I can't see how you can even use your argument and keep a straight face about it. :)
Like in a previous post, the current anti-monopolistic sentiment is to not harm a perceived monopoly if it does no harm to the end user. That's google. But, it's not written in stone; sentiments do change. Companies that would have been broken up in the past are allowed to flourish, and compnies that would be broken up today may not have been in the past.
And I know that many small business have complained that Google is the primary ad service in town for them and they hate this fact. So with enough complaints and concerns, I can see sentiments changing, and governemtns going out and protecting the interest of small business owners and it wouldn't be so hard to see how google can be put on the chopping block.
So in other words, all the monopolistic talk we learned in school is too simplified that it is essentially wrong.
Now, I don't care either way. I'm not a small business owner and from my perspective I benefit from the simple, and adequate services that google provides. But I am concerned that they are taking over a great deal of things. And looking at the other concerned posts, I think this concern is growing.
Now if us non laywers can whip this up, just think of the professionals. With potential of millions and billions of dollars at stake which the lawyers will get HALF!! You betcha they are thinking of all sorts of angles on this and are licking for their chops for the right time and opportunity.
@ Scooby - But what's to stop any Android maker from building a dedicated PNG or carnav box that does exactly what this does? Give it a little wifi from your tethered phone or a MiFi, and use it just like a Nuvi, except never pay for a map, get real intersection images for upcoming turns, and all that other Google goodness. The only way I see Garmin staying alive is if THEY build these Android boxes. That idea might cause screaming their boardroom, but the wagons are leaving with 'em or without 'em.
:D Technology continues its brutal race towards free.
Ad supported is O.K. by me. If the ad's are too much, but a TomTom.
I just wonder how incoming calls are handled when I'm negotiating city streets in the last mile to my destination.