Google Maps for Android adds bike routes, sharing, dedicated navigation icon
By Chris Ziegler 
posted May 11th 2010 6:08PM
posted May 11th 2010 6:08PM
posted May 11th 2010 6:08PM
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Interesting.
Great. Now how about enabling Navigation in Canada?
We Canadians were not told by Google or anyone that we wouldn't be getting Navigation when we bought our Nexus One. It even came preloaded with the "Car Home" app, which has a nice big "Navigation" button on it that does nothing but open Google Maps.
Even a simple message saying "navigation not available in Canada" would have been nice, so that I wouldn't spend hours trying to figure out what I was doing wrong and why I can't get it working.
The maps are there, the application is there, everything that's required IS THERE. Fix whatever stupid politics are holding this back already!
@Grubasaurus Rex Indeed, cause Microsoft just added Turn-by-turn navigation to Bing Maps for WinMo a few hours ago :
http://www.mobiletechworld.com/2010/05/11/bing-maps-with-turn-by-turn-navigation-introduced-on-windows-phones-today/
@Grubasaurus Rex Interesting indeed. I have been enjoying Maps Nav Beta on my Eris (w/ leaked 2.1) for a while now and the more features, the merrier. The destination sharing is awesome. Foursquare what?!
@Grubasaurus Rex The bicycle navigation will be especially nice for Android users.
@Grubasaurus Rex Yep...interesting indeed. I would say these are some nice touches to the exceptional Navigation app. It is very accurate and fast (at least on the Nexus One it completely rocksss).
@cherubdawg I've got the Milestone on Telus, and I've just got the navigation indirectly. Create a shortcut on the homescreen for "Directions & Navigation", check the box "Turn-by-turn navigation", enter a destination and off you go.
@DannyJLG I spoke too soon. I've went out for a test drive and it loads up my location in the navigator but then comes up "No route found, navigation to your destination is not available."
Got excited for nothing.
@cherubdawg http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=630887
XDA to the rescue Enjoy!
@JudgeDredd Yeah, the WinMo Bing news is way bigger than this, yet nobody's reporting on it. Here's a video: http://pocketnow.com/software-1/video-bing-navigation-in-action
Nicer design than Google Maps, too.
/Looks at CLIQ.
/weeps.
@poco153
Sprint Hero is also still on 1.5 as I hold myself back from throwing it across the room. F$%& you Sprint and HTC.
@poco153 *Does the same*
I love and hate you at the same time, and it is your parent's fault.
@vansmack
This hero problem really makes me think about the Desire. Here in the UK the Desire's ad campaign is massive and at my college everyone and their mother is getting one!
I wonder if due to the Desire's success HTC will speed the sense updates out faster? Doesn't really matter to me as I love my Nexus One :D
@Lubing The Tube
I'm not counting on it and that's why I'm not getting the EVO 4G. Fool me once....
@vansmack
I once felt your pain! If you need help rooting your phone I'll be glad to help, I'm downloading the update for Maps right now since I'm running 2.1,don't hold your breath waiting on Sprint they want us to buy the EVO, albeit a sexy device in the making your Hero has a lot of good use to it, you're just a flash away.Remember if you need help or have any questions I'll be glad to help in fact that applies to any shipwrecked Sprint Hero user who may come across this post.
@vansmack
At least your phone doesn't run on motobloat
That's all well and good, but when are we going to get map caching for offline use and navigation outside the US? There's not much point in having a map if you can't use it overseas\out of range. If I'd known of those failings before I bought my Android I may have gone with Nokia who has both.
@DaveGravox
Exactly. That's why Google Maps, good as it is, remains inferior to Ovi maps.
@DaveGravox
Buy a phone with an Ovi Maps app on it from overseas, then?
IDK, your problem kinda solves itself, right?
@DaveGravox
Or just buy a Nav App - CoPilot is supposed to be good. Cripes, you don't want Symbian
@etwashoo2
About half the world does want Symbian.
@MarkAnderson the crappy third world half
@therodt
And the developed Western European part, you racist little prick.
HHHHHEEEERRRRROOOOO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Awesome. Now just turn on navigation outside the UK and USA. Australian street names are in English.
@alloneword
They are spending extra time trying to get the voice accent perfect
if i could switch my nav voice, id change it to aussie anyday
Htc Hero already updated. Went to nearest wendy's. They tore down my favorite one. :(
@ssgadget
It's been a good week for android, increased marketshare, smooth flash player for froyo, google goggles and navigation updates... The future of android is looking good
Does anyone know if the location sharing will work cross platform? Like if I texted it to an iphone, could they open it in google maps?
@malibumac You'll have to get approval from Apple first.
Bike routes sound sweet, about to dump my Pre for the EVO 4g and this will be great!
Hopefully they'll have a bike mount available for the EVO... I know they have ones for the iPhone.
@Vdek
yeah, I was surprised when I noticed the "bike route" in google maps a few weeks ago. unfortunately, there's no good bike route to work and it'd add 1.5 hours to my current commute. Awesome regardless though for routing to other places closer to me though!
@commenter7 Yes it is! Exciting times for android owners and future owners.
Sweet!
Yes!!!!!!!!!
Can't find the dedicated navigation button
@Mr Roarke
Click and hold to "add to home screen" > "Shortcut" > "Appllications" > "Navigation"
@Mr Roarke If you're looking for it on HTC Sense as I am (Eris w/ 2.1), the icon is not appearing in the Add to Home shortcuts, applications or widgets.
@OCJP
I couldn't find it either at first on my Incredible, but then I restarted my phone and now it's there!
Since I'm holding out for the EVO, it doesn't really matter, since Sprint Nav is free. It worked well with my "Assberry" Pearl, so it should be sweet on the EVO.
Of course, if I'm on a bike, I'd be freaked out using the nav, Not that it would be intended for use WHILE riding. :P
If you're on the HTC Incredible and don't see the Nav icon after you updated you have to reboot your phone, then you will see the Nav icon.
@TangledThorns
Thanks a bunch. Rebooting now shows the icon on my Incredible
Just a heads up getting reports that devices with HTC Sense aren't getting the Navigation standalone button, I'm running 2.1 with the latest version of Sense UI and there is no Navigation button but I still have the icon from Sense, can anyone else confirm? Another person on the Marketplace stated the same thing when I was reading comments about the update while downloading it.
@misterhearn
Just restart your phone and it will be there.
@ramifications
Think you Sir, worked like a charm! If it were possible I would add you to a friends list *tips hat*
So, when will I finally be able to edit a route? It's very frustrating to me that if it gives me a way that I want to avoid, my only other option is to blow past what it says to do and wait for it to reroute me. Or just an option to avoid toll roads would be nice.
Now I really regret my choosing to buy the CLIQ. Hurry up and update your shit, you lazy fuckers!
Seriously, our CLIQs were Motorolas first entry into Android handsets, they need to show it a bit more.respect. Can't wait to see what Motoblur+
Android 2.1 loots like.
Of course, as well as navigation still not working, bike navigation is also offline in Germany. Seriously now.