Here’s a little film we’ve just made showing Google Maps Navigation working in the UK. We live in the countryside so there’s not much choice when it comes to roads to go down, but you can at least get the general idea of how it works. On the rare occasions it’s possible to see the screen.
Apologies for the amateurish presentation and poor video quality. But you didn’t expect anything proper, did you? I did at least wipe the screen down beforehand.
According to The Guardian (which clearly got a serious advance heads-up on this) Maps Navigation is only for Android 1.6 phones and above, which makes sense at that’s always been the case with the US version.
HTC’s 4.3″ dual-core Android model, powered by Qualcomm’s all-new S4 processor. It’s smaller than the enormous One X, but is it as nice as its bigger brother? (SPOILER: Yes it is).
HTC is very much B-A-C-K at the top of the Android world with this, its quad-core flagship for 2012. Great camera, huge 4.7″ display and Android 4.0 running beautifully well.
Sony returns with an all-new mobile design for 2012, pairing a dual-core processor with a 720p display. It’s a lovely phone, but is it enough to end our Samsung and HTC obsession?
LG’s updated Prada phone comes with an absolutely crazy black & white theme, but is it just for fashionable suit wearers who want to make themselves look a bit more interesting?
rtd1978
/ April 21, 2010Nice test …
… but you should improve your fitness ;-)
FT
/ April 21, 2010So did you run all the way to London? Funny video.
I hope free navigation from Google will come to other European countries soon.
Gary C
/ April 21, 2010No, I limped back home and went on the internet again.
DrB
/ April 21, 2010Dude you need to get a car, tis a long way to the big smoke, didn’t the Robotic lady tell you that?! lol but seriously good work pal thanks for the vid :)
Gary C
/ April 21, 2010I’ve got a car. I’m just too tight to waste the precious petrol for a stupid video :)
snas
/ April 21, 2010What a funny video!!!!!!!!!! I’m still laughing.
Paul manning
/ April 21, 2010The fundamental problem with Google, something that they cannot do anything about, is the quality of the information they broadcast. It can be wrong, out of date, search results sometimes have nothing to do with what you wanted. They Sold their soul to the “Advertising Devil” and you can imagine how all this will go. You will be directed to the place that pays the most and that’s if the internet hackers haven’t sent you in the wrong direction after bombarding you with pops-ups, spam and before long dashboard porn.
GPS Locals will give them a run for their money. Our system is also FREE for users, factually correct and constantly updated with only one listing per unique address. With Global shipments of GPS-enabled handsets increased by 92% in 2009 to 150 million units and further forecasted to reach 770 million units in 2014 I can understand why Google want a piece, but really, with their track record, they should be banned from the GPS system.
GPS Locals have built a specific database to work with smartphone and satnav companies to ensure the information broadcast is correct and constantly updated.
Gary C
/ April 21, 2010That’s a slightly paranoid vision of a dark, dystopian future there, Paul. Do you come from a horror-writing background?
Don’t have nightmares, readers!
Mike Silva
/ April 22, 2010Funny video, just miss a better steady-shot camera.
I’m waiting for turn-by-turn navigaion in Portugal. Since our raoundabouts are not a new problem for google I think they could have done it aleready…
tom
/ April 22, 2010@Gary C- Great video = lmao. Thanks for making a website so relevant to a UK android user :-)
@gps locals – your companies revenue model is also based on advertising. Your argument is what? Is this a case of the pot calling te kettle black or perhaps its just that the competition does it better? Google maps has always served me perfectly well. How is your service any better? Can I get this on an Android phone? Didn’t seem to be any obvious way from your website – your website seemed utterly focussed on selling adverstising.
Paul manning
/ April 28, 2010@Gary C
Hi Gary
There is a far greater responsibility here when you start to think in what direction you are sending children via GPS?
Wouldnt you agree?
With internet companies stepping out of the “Digital World” into the “Real World” and not just directing, but actually guiding people to places, we ALL have a responsibility to ensure the information provided has been check, certified, validated and confirmed true.
That is all we are doing at GPSLocals.
Satnav and smartphone manufacturers can all use this database FREE of charge.
Googles offering is great, iPhone apps comming on are fantastic but the “Achilles Heel” is the current internet listings. Lets take Sir Tim’s advice (Internet inventor) and NOT duplicate the internet problms on GPS.
Paul manning
/ April 28, 2010@Tom
You are right Tom, however, 10 Euros covers costs to validate, check and confirm each entry. If this was a marketing opportunity with Global shipments of GPS-enabled handsets increased by 92% in 2009 to 150 million units and further forecasted to reach 770 million units in 2014. these kinds of figures perhaps we should be sell slots for £1000?
But as I said to Gary above; There is a far greater responsibility here when you start to think in what direction you are sending children via GPS? And it would be wrong to charge for this.
Thanks for your comments it is good to know what people think.