Android 2.0 supports turn-by-turn GPS guidance with Google Maps

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Cell phone management
professionals will be pleased to learn that the new version of Google’s Android cell phone operating system will feature a new facet of Google Maps: the ability to get turn-by-turn directions from GPS-enabled phones.

"Éclair," as Android 2.0 is named, provides a number of improvements over previous iterations of the software, but the GPS guidance has drawn the most attention. The Wall Street Journal says that this is one of the indications that Google is trying to get Android into the enterprise market, previously the domain of only Blackberry and Windows Mobile.

David Coursey, writing for PC World, asserts that the GPS navigation system – coupled with its exclusive availability on Android-powered cell phones – puts Google into direct competition with current GPS manufacturers like Garmin as well as iPhone maker Apple.

Apple and Google, which are allies on some levels, have suffered numerous strains on their relationship of late, most notably a public brawl over the availability of Google Voice on the iPhone and Google’s related dispute with iPhone network carrier AT&T. ADNFCR-2628-ID-19432238-ADNFCR

Related Posts - ordered by relevance

Apple, Google draw battle lines on the map October 1st, 2009
Google set to upgrade Droid OS to Android version 2.1 February 10th, 2010
Mobile phone management will see Android revolution, but no Google-made phone October 21st, 2009
Analysts say Google might be working on its own Android phone November 19th, 2009
Google and Verizon team up to bring Android phones to market October 6th, 2009

This entry was posted by Mobility Management News Desk on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 10:14 pm and is filed under Managing Mobile Devices News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.

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One Response to “Android 2.0 supports turn-by-turn GPS guidance with Google Maps”

James C.McHann Says:
December 10th, 2009 at 5:54 am
The Garmin 260W just has a ton to offer. We had the Garmin 340C and this new unit is like night and day. Plus you can’t beat the price of the 260W. The Garmins are now more affordable than they were a few years ago. The screen has better clearity and you can see the next street name well before your next turn. There is an arrow that is displayed in the upper left corner so you know which way your next turn will be. This is a great feature if you are a highway. You can click and drag the map. The only down side is that this unit does not come with a case and you really should by a case that protects the unit and keeps all of parts.