Google brings free turn-by-turn Navigation to UK Androids (updated)

Talk about random gifts from the ether. British Android device owners are waking up this morning to discover their robot-themed operating system has gone and upgraded itself overnight. We've confirmed for ourselves that Google Maps Navigation -- yes, the free turn-by-turn stuff with voice directions -- has made its fully functional way across the Atlantic. This is the 4.1.1 Beta released on April 6 to US customers, but as we say, it's now working over in Blighty as well. We've tested it out on a Desire and Nexus One from HTC, with the latter offering the extra-cool option to orally instruct your Google search bar to "navigate to" your destination. Check out the gallery below for some visual edification.

[Thanks, Tes]

Update: We're now also sure the full Navigation service works on at least some Android 1.6 devices, such as the Dell Mini 5 and a reported Sony Ericsson X10 success over on the xda-developers thread.

Update 2: Numerous users have reported successfully using turn-by-turn Navigation on the 4.1.0 version, leading us to believe that the capability was in the Google Maps app all along and it's only now that the company has chosen to activate it. If you aren't yet on board, direct your Android 1.6 or above device to the Android Market and get navigating.

Google Maps Navigation 4.1.1 Beta now working on UK Androids

[d3bing Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:26AM]

Rest of Europe, pleeeeeease!!! Come Google, move faster!

[n0ne Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:46AM]

@d3bing

@_@ Yea cause they never come up with new projects, EVER. What a bunch of slackers!!

/s

[camroncake Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:59AM]

@d3bing
It's pretty hard for anything to go to Europe with that dust cloud and all

[d3bing Posted Apr 21st 2010 6:09AM]

@camroncake
hahaha,,, true ;)
that's why we need car navigation so we can skip the flights! wouldn't that be a perfect momento for Google to launch this service!?

[Aku Posted Apr 21st 2010 6:11AM]

@d3bing Check Nav Launcher in Android Market. Navigation works for me in Spain that way. Not perfect, but works.

[stoffer Posted Apr 21st 2010 7:05AM]

@d3bing I have a Nokia 5800 and I do not have to wait for Google. I like Google and all the stuff they do, but the Ovi Maps are simply so utterly awesome, that I can not imagine that anything can be done better.

[Funderful Posted Apr 21st 2010 7:07AM]

@d3bing Yes, please bring this to the rest of Europe, and while you're at it how about some paid apps?

[ProfKOS Posted Apr 21st 2010 9:34AM]

@d3bing
Canada to please. I've used the brut hack to get it working, but it's not 100%.

[filjosh Posted Apr 21st 2010 10:21AM]

@d3bing Is it gonna have pre loaded maps?
does this means Garmin app will be available on all Android phones? if Yes then thats the gr8 news, I'm not a fan of google navigation but I'm of garmin's look and feel and usability

[ifinoxonifi Posted Apr 21st 2010 12:41PM]

@d3bing

TWSS

[BrightSilence Posted Apr 21st 2010 1:25PM]

@Aku
A combo of nav launcher and the brut version of google maps got it to work for in me the netherlands too. Unfortunately I will have to put my phones language on english to get the voice and it pronounces the street names really weird because of that.

I guess the other languages are probably the main reason other parts of europe are taking longer. But hey, it's free navigation, I'm not complaining... not at all.

[GaryZ Posted Apr 21st 2010 2:35PM]

@d3bing First fix the privacy laws faster?

[relicamonchin Posted Apr 21st 2010 3:48PM]

@filjosh Garmin may have a chance with the m10. Reactions.* http://j.mp/garmin-nuvifone-series

[Valicore Posted Apr 21st 2010 11:04PM]

@ProfKOS It seems so weird to me that they wouldn't have launched Canada too. I wonder if it is the Canadian providers who are against it?

[Nomi Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:28AM]

Now update the iPhone's map application too.

[n0ne Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:47AM]

My head hurts...

[Tes Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:53AM]

@Nomi

As discussed below, it's not in anyone's best interests for that to happen. Google has an "exclusive" feature on Android, and Apple gets 30% on the navigation apps that are in the store.

The companys that could make this happen won't gain anything by doing it so don't hold your breath.

[ceteras Posted Apr 21st 2010 6:32AM]

@Tes
There is a free iPhone navigation app , by Navigon, but I don't know much about it...

[Tes Posted Apr 21st 2010 6:36AM]

@ceteras

Yes, sure there are FREE versions of loads of paid apps. For example there are hundreds of free Twitter apps, but you've just admitted to not knowing much about Navigon...surely because no one does. Big names can charge for their apps, and Google is a BIG name. They give it away for free, only those with specific needs (like pre-loaded maps) will pay for a TomTom app. People will pay for Tweetie (I know I did) over one of the free ones because it's better quality...gut Google has a name big enough that people will assume that quality.

[Nomi Posted Apr 21st 2010 6:59AM]

@Nomi Why the downrank, don't people want a really good navigation app for free? I understand Apple won't like the loss of a revenue stream...but would they rather not compete in terms of features with Android.

[ceteras Posted Apr 21st 2010 7:29AM]

@Tes Engadget has written many times about Navigon and their products.
I said I don't know much about the app, but Navigon used to sell iPhon apps for > 100EUR, they released a slightly crippled free application at some point to counter the competition they begin to have in Europe.

Perhaps I should mention that a couple years ago I used to work for Navigon (even if my department had nothing to do with navigation).

[steel Posted Apr 21st 2010 8:07AM]

@n0ne

Google is so good to us. Let me know if something happens when you wake up tomorrow morning w/ your iPhone.

I'm waiting.

[Tes Posted Apr 21st 2010 9:46AM]

@ceteras

Just checked and Navigon is not free.

[fourthletter Posted Apr 21st 2010 11:10AM]

@Nomi

Well here's the short answer.
If you want free turn by turn navigation on your phone buy a phone that runs Android.

[kadajawi Posted Apr 21st 2010 11:35AM]

@Nomi What interest would Google have to help Apple? It's not like they are best friends. They are competitors, enemies. Just buy an Android phone if you want Google Maps Navigation.

[qakgob Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:29AM]

Yes! No more hacked maps for me :)

But I thought there was some kinda legal reason why they couldn't do the navigation in europe? Maybe its all been cleared up, or else I must have been misinformed

[qakgob Posted Apr 21st 2010 9:39AM]

@qakgob Also, multitouch on my htc magic for maps now. Nice :)

[weeman Posted Apr 21st 2010 10:15AM]

@qakgob

Same! No crappy AndNav2

I kinda fist punched the air after reading this article :D

[RincewindWiz Posted Apr 22nd 2010 3:51AM]

@qakgob Working to me too :-) Thank you Google!

[Tes Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:29AM]

Yay...I broke a news story! Cheers Engadget.

[gargle Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:32AM]

@Tes Congrats ;) and on a less serious note, http://knowyourmeme.com/system/icons/1732/original/winternet.jpg

[Tes Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:35AM]

@gargle

A whole Internets?! For me?! Heck yeah...I'm gonna fill it with porn!

[matknny Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:46AM]

@Tes
Cheers for breaking. Fantastic news. Now to buy that car dock for my n1.

[samuelgibbs Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:32AM]

Hmmm, wonder whether this is going to stay an Android bespoke feature or whether it'll make it to other platforms. If it's going to come to the iPhone Apple's got to do it, but with turn-by-turn apps in the App Store already I'm not sure they're likely to cut off that kind of revenue stream. Could be wrong though.

[Tes Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:40AM]

@samuelgibbs

Can't see Apple giving up the 30% on those navigation apps.

[samuelgibbs Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:51AM]

@Tes Pity, I hope we're wrong.

[garythelegend Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:33AM]

Still waiting on Canada!

[ai4281 Posted Apr 21st 2010 9:47AM]

@garythelegend Why aren't they doing Canada first :(

[timbro Posted Apr 21st 2010 12:54PM]

@ai4281 it usually goes like this
USA - UK - Singapore - a bunch of other random countries - Canada

[Sam7 Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:34AM]

awesome, i've been using the brut version
how is this on my desire already? i don't remember downloading an update? or was it a few days ago?

[jabooth Posted Apr 21st 2010 7:17AM]

@Sam7 Yeah it doesn't actually get updated in the Market...looks like all the code was already there in the last Maps update and Google just threw the ENABLE switch overnight :)

[Akibkhn Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:35AM]

When it gets to New Zealand I'll be happy

[grindboy Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:43AM]

I'm really exited for this but I'm worried it'll just give htc another excuse to push back the release date for the Hero's 2.1 update.

[Apple Google Microsoft Posted Apr 21st 2010 6:57AM]

@grindboy

Yeah I want 2.1!

[s123 Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:43AM]

works on my desire! just in time too, my orange maps trial only finished the other day.

yay for google!

[CaptainCanary Posted Apr 21st 2010 5:45AM]

What's a 'gas station'? Please finish the translation...

[krs360 Posted Apr 21st 2010 6:02AM]

@CaptainCanary - perhaps it's a place where you can buy gas? You know, like a Calor Gas bottle for your barbeque? Basically any matter which has a low density.

[Jordo1234 Posted Apr 21st 2010 6:07AM]

@CaptainCanary
Gas = Gasoline, LPG and a number of other substances.

[CaptainCanary Posted Apr 21st 2010 6:12AM]

@krs360 - Excellent point! They should change the icon to a fork with a sausage on the end.

[z0phi3l Posted Apr 21st 2010 7:59AM]

@CaptainCanary A Gas Station to us Americans is the same as a Petrol Station, I think that's what the brits call it