Google Maps Navigation now available for Android 1.6
About a month back, we had told you about Google Maps Navigation (Beta) which was launched as a free feature on all the Android 2.0 devices. Google has now announced that it is now expanding the availability of Google Maps Navigation to all the devices running Android 1.6 “Donut” as well i.e. devices like the T-Mobile myTouch 3G, the Google G1 etc. For the uninitiated, Google Maps Navigation is an web connected GPS system along with voice guidance and automatic rerouting, on your mobile phone. The main features of this software are, Ability to use Google search to search for your destination, Continuously refreshing map, Contexually relevant business and traffic data, and also Satellite and Street View imagery along your route. This version of Google Maps Navigation also includes the new “Layers” feature, which lets you put important geographical information on the map, view your Maps, transit lines, Wikipedia articles about the place (if any), and more. However, some features of Android 2.0 version are still not available on the Android 1.6, e.g. Ability to use the “navigate to” voice command. But you can still create a shortcut that allows you to launch the Navigation app and get directions to your preferred place with a single touch from your phone’s home screen. E.g. You can create a “Home” shortcut to quickly navigate home, irrespective of where you are. To create Shortcuts, just use the “Add” menu item from the home screen, then select “Shortcuts” and then “Directions.” So if you are in US and have a phone running Android 1.6 or more, you can download the updated version of Google Maps Navigation now from the Android Marketplace.
Vikas is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Tech Knots. He is also an active twitterer and you can follow him on twitter at 
Leave a Reply