The Alternative Remedies Guide

As navigation options continuously expand, smart phones and mobile phones are developing alternatives to typical portable navigation devices (PNDs). The latest of these options is the Google Maps Navigation which is installed in beta version on the Android 2.0 devices. Google Maps has been available through the iPhone for a long time but this is the first time that the version provides the true Google turn-by-turn directions on a mobile device.
The Motorola Droid through the Verizon service will come with the free Google Maps Navigation. The service will soon expand to other smart phone platforms and mobile phones that run on other operating systems.
Droid is a slider-style phone that comes with a full QWERTY keyboard. It also has a 3.7 inch screen that makes it slightly better than the 3.5 inch screen of the iPhone. And unlike the iPhone, it can also run more than one application at the same time. But it’s probably the fact that the phone is on the Verizon network that all its services are maximized. After all, according to cell phone services, Verizon is better than AT&T.
Just like any other cell phone navigator, the Google Maps Navigation is dedicated linux server based. This means that the application downloads maps and other points of interest data as is necessary instead of storing a really large database on the phone. A data plan is necessary to use this.
As a navigator, Google Maps Navigation comes with common features such as the street names and it provides sufficient routing information. But it does not have the features that are found in PNDs and even a couple of iPhone apps such as lane assistance and reality view.
On the whole, however, Google Maps Navigation has managed to capture the attention of GPS fans and tech savvy users. But it still has a long way to go compared to some of the best solutions for GPS navigation.