Google Navigation coming to the iPhone Maps.app?

Seth Weintraub
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October 28, 2009
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Google today introduced a new (kind of amazing) Navigation app for Android 2.0.  This application is only avaialble at the moment as a beta for the Droid phone on Verizon but Google is apparently working with Apple on bringing it to the iPhone.

According to CNET it isn't just the iPhone,

Google isn't 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. The process involving Apple is slightly different from the usual App Store submission process, because Maps is a built-in iPhone application, he said.

One has to wonder how valuable a service like this would behave on AT&T's network.  How will this app react to holes in service?  Will there be any caching of the map (perhaps in the initial routing phase)?

Comments (24)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 8:36am

yeah, right.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 9:09am

WOW. I hate to admit this but I may just forget the iPhone and go with the Droid.

I get to stay with Verizon and get an amazing device.

Any word on how compatible the Droid is OS X?

MadDog (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 9:13am

...that little Mikey is out playing at being a product manager?

What is he? 13?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 9:38am

ha satellite view on a data connection!?!?! i don't know where they live but id like that kind of network where i am, you just couldn't trust this going to an area unfamiliar and rely on a data connection.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 9:48am

I believe that when you select a route, the maps required for said route, are downloaded and cached to the phone, so if your connection drops you are covered.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 10:57am

That would make a ton of sense. I hope you're right.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 10:02am

Looks great but what's a "rout"?

Sonicblue (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 10:03am

Well this looks amazing, but there's something which makes it useless. I mostly use my GPS when I drive in or to other countries (in Europe that happens much faster than in the USA ;-) and since in other countries I need to pay roaming, the Google GPS would cost easily hunderds or thousands of Euros just to naviagte me to one place...

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 10:43am

Dude, Verizon CMDA doesn't work in Europe. So I don't think you'll have to worry about roaming there.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 11:12am

Most Google Services go worldwide sooner or later, so Roaming is a topic here!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 12:55pm

But VODAPHONE works in Europe you moron.

Sonicblue (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 3:06pm

well just be quiet if u have no idea what u r talking about! first vodafone doesnt exist in every european country and even if u r on a vodafone partner network as vodefone user, u still pay roaming!!! but again there are many different iphone carriers in europe (o2, t-mobile, orange, tim, ...) and they have nothing to do with vodafone!!! also the android phones are sold at every provider, nothing related with vodafone or verizon!! but they will charge u roaming fees if u go to another country!!! in the roaming 1 mb easily costs u 10-20 dollars!!!

Sonicblue (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 3:08pm

You know that I'm European and I'm talking about our Android phones and iPhones?? I don't give a shit about the Verizon network because here with have all kind of phones with all kind of software but they are always GSM/3G versions!!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 4:06pm

Vodaphone owns a portion of Verizon Wireless. But the companies are completely independent, and both the management and technologies used by Vodaphone is completely distinct from Verizon.

Chris R (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 1:04pm

I am convinced that Android is the way to go for smart phones. I wont use the navigation tool often, but this just adds to the coolness Android operating system.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 1:15pm

I disagree with you; sure I loved this feature on the phone but looking and more videos detailing the usage of Android 2.0, I feel the OS is not that 'intuitive' for an average type of a user who's not a tech geek like me.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 1:35pm

Before any of the turn by turn apps were out I got by with google maps which was fine and did the job, BUT the one thing I like with Tom Tom and others is there is no need for a data connection and no data usage espcially if your in a country like AU with crappy data allowances.

Love the idea of the new Google turn by turn app BUT NOT the data charges that would go with it. Someone mentioned that it downloads the entire route info when you setup the route, which you could do at home on your WiFi network but then that spoils the whole point of having the internet in your pocket wherever you are.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 2:52pm

after 3 years iPhone fanboys and girls get to finally have some jealosy...DROIDenvy. Quite a sight to behold.

I'm gonna get this phone and forget about waiting for the iphone on VZW which I've been doing for 3 years and I'll finally have a good phone. Even if the 3GS came in 3 months I wouldn't care and would not shell out more money for it. Let's see what Apple does in the 4th gen on Verizon....

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 3:03pm

The FAQ stuff specifically says that the app WILL cache the route. It doesn't say what level of detail (sat view?) it will cache, but it will do that.

Frankly, this looks good enough to be worth actually paying $$ for. First gen app that already makes Garmin and TomTom look dated. Niiice!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 3:03pm

The FAQ stuff specifically says that the app WILL cache the route. It doesn't say what level of detail (sat view?) it will cache, but it will do that.

Frankly, this looks good enough to be worth actually paying $$ for. First gen app that already makes Garmin and TomTom look dated. Niiice!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 4:10pm

Hell, iPhone maps caches the route.

As many people say about iPhone navigation: the reason it isn't a full GPS is because it doesn't have maps on-board.

For serious navigation, get a Garmin. Otherwise, forget it.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 28, 2009 - 11:59pm

Speaking of navigation see the link below for side by side video comparison Navigon 1.2 on iPhone V1 and iPhone 3Gs with Tom Tom Car Kit (review is in French)

http://www.belgium-iphone.com/2009/1
0/28/belgium-iphone-le-test-tomtom-car-kit-pour-iphone-en-video/

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 29, 2009 - 2:23am

http://www.belgium-iphone.com/2009/10/28/belgium-iphone-le-test-tomtom-c...

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 31, 2009 - 2:13am

the best thing about this app is: ITS FREE. unlike all other navigation devices forcing you to pay hundreds of dollars, google is ALWAYS free.