TechPlay Experience

Google are set to launch an update to their Google Maps Application, which will add full turn by turn GPS voice guided navigation functionality.

The application, which will rival the functionality of traditional sat nav devices, eg TomTom and Garmin, will be included free of charge with version 2.0 of Google’s Android Operating System and will also include speech control.

Google’s web site outlines the following features:

# Search in plain English. No need to know the address. You can type a business name or even a kind of a business, just like you would on Google.

# Search by voice. Speak your destination instead of typing (English only): “Navigate to the de Young Museum in San Francisco”.
# Traffic view. An on-screen indicator glows green, yellow, or red based on the current traffic conditions along your route. A single touch toggles a traffic view which shows the traffic ahead of you.
# Search along route. Search for any kind of business along your route, or turn on popular layers such as gas stations, restaurants, or parking.
# Satellite view . View your route overlaid on 3D satellite views with Google’s high-resolution aerial imagery.
# Street View. Visualize turns overlaid on Google’s Street View imagery. Navigation automatically switches to Street View as you approach your destination.

A video of Google Maps Navigation can be seen below