Despite recent travel disruption due to Eyjafjallajökull, those of us marooned in the UK and Ireland have enjoyed lovely sunny weather. It’s the perfect excuse to take a road trip, wouldn’t you agree?
With Google Maps Navigation (beta), now available in the UK and Ireland for Android devices 1.6 and higher, traveling by car couldn’t be easier. Like other satnav devices, Navigation includes 3D views, turn-by-turn voice guidance, and automatic rerouting. But because Google Maps Navigation is connected to the Internet, it also features powerful functionality you can’t get from other satnav services, including the most up to date map, business, and traffic data, access to satellite and street views, and of course, search.
With Google Maps Navigation, you can search by voice, and in plain English -- just press the voice search button on your Android phone, say “navigate to Sainsbury’s,” and Navigation will open automatically and guide you to the supermarket. Running out of petrol? You can search along your route for nearby petrol stations, cash points, restaurants, and car parks, without exiting the navigation path.
Google Maps Navigation is available in the US, UK, and Ireland. And like other Google Maps features, Navigation is free. To get Google Maps Navigation on your Android phone, search for “Google Maps” on Android Market and download the latest update. Visit the Google Maps Navigation page to learn more and watch a video, or check out the help center if you have questions.
posted by Sara Rowghani, Product Marketing Manager
Cool, now how about your friendly neighbors to the North. Canada needs mapping to :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that the first countries in Europe are getting that service as well.
ReplyDeleteThe question I have: Is there a roadmap for the future rollout of that service? Which country is queued next?
As like as David: when will it come to Austria?
ReplyDeleteAnd when will it come to Singapore? Come on!! We need navigation over here too!
ReplyDeleteWaiting for Spain and Italy
ReplyDeleteWill Google be OpenSourcing this app?
ReplyDeleteI'd really love to see it on Maemo (Nokia N900)
don't forget Australia, were already mapped. please sort out whatever legal issues are stopping you from turning it on here. that would make my day, and completely spoil Apple's..
ReplyDeleteGiven that Android 1.5 market share has recently grown from about 25% to 38%, do you have any plans to support Android 1.5 for navigation?
ReplyDeleteLOL poor Google. As soon as they announce something they are greeted with a quick "thanks" followed by a hasty, now give us more lmao. I guess that's what happens when you make amazing products.
ReplyDeletewonderful
ReplyDeleteexcept for anyone outside the US, UK and Ireland
:(
please make it available for the rest of the world
Germany (D-A-CH) is still grey ;)
Don't worry Europeans, you'll all have Street View in about twenty years after Google has navigated your overbearing court system and your unwelcoming business atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic, but where is the Australia support? The roads are all there, just flip a switch and turn it on. Give people another reason to switch to Android.
ReplyDeleteI'm in Ireland and using a Nexus One. When I search the market for Google Maps its not listed.
ReplyDeleteHow can I download?
One more vote for Canada!
ReplyDeleteUs Android users here in Japan are also waiting for this amazing feature. Please consider it Google.
ReplyDeleteThis is not available in ireland! Not even in the app market, please google make true on what you have advertised..
ReplyDeleteWaiting for Navigation in Switzerland... we are always the last... it's a bit disappointing!
ReplyDeleteThankyou team! You really made my day yesterday here in the UK! It's awesome :D
ReplyDeleteIt is NOT available in Ireland's Market.
ReplyDelete"With Google Maps Navigation (beta), now available in the UK and Ireland for Android devices 1.6 and higher, traveling by car couldn’t be easier."
ReplyDeleteHasn't made it to Ireland as of 22/04/2010. Doesn't appear in my Market Place of my Samsung Galaxy Spica running Android 2.1. Maps came with the phone but I can't upgrade it in the App while Google Maps itself doesn't appear at in the Market Place at all as yet.
Still not visible in the Market under Android 1.6 on a T-Mobile G1 in the UK.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it will come online later today once they get to work over the pond? :-)
App now available in Ireland Market! Works perfect on Xperia x10!!
ReplyDeleteAny votes for the Netherlands?? We were the first country where theLegend was on sale! Great app, this is the reason people are switching to Android.
ReplyDeleteThanks Google for fixing the release for Android users in Ireland. Appearing in the Market and installing fine.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see it with nice voices e.g. on ovi maps
ReplyDeleteadzzup.com provides turnkey option for mobile (.mobi) friendly websites.
ReplyDeleteworks fine on my X10, but you can't do a voice search for navigation. Ah well.
ReplyDeletePlease we need to know the roadmap for the other European Countries.
ReplyDeletePLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Emilio
I can't wait to use this! I'm in the UK but my HTC Hero still only has Android 1.5...so hopefully the Android 2.1 update will be released soon *nudge nudge wink wink* ;)
ReplyDeleteHolland needs this feature to :)
ReplyDelete