Android 2.0 Provides a Free Google Maps Navigation Feature

By Dena Cassella Published October 28, 2009

What has Google done with Android 2.0 that’s making mobile reviewers squeal in delight? Simple: Google has added free Google Maps Navigation GPS software to its new Android operating system (OS). The Droid is the first device with Google Maps Navigation, providing turn-by-turn voice guidance as a free feature of Google Maps. The service is powered by Google and connected to the Internet—also, this free navigation feature is constantly updated, providing the most recent maps, so the driver can avoid road blocks, traffic accidents and road construction in their local area.

To activate the “voice shortcut,” just simply say “Navigate to [your destination]” and Google Maps will respond, sending you on your way views of live traffic and street views all produced via satellite. Also, the Droid can now search along the route for upcoming businesses, gas stations and restaurants that won’t take you too far off your desired course.

If the Droid makes it big with consumers [like Google, Verizon, and Motorola hope it will], this navigation feature will pose a seriously threat to companies like TomTom and Garmin who specialize and charge for the same service.

Topics

Android

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Haole built. O'ahu grown

Mobile

From Android 1.0 to Android 10, here’s how Google’s OS evolved over a decade

Android

The smartphone has come a long way since the first iPhone launched in 2007. While Apple's iOS is arguably the world's first smartphone operating system, Google's Android is by far the most popular. Android has evolved significantly since first being released on an HTC-made T-Mobile device in 2008. Android was created in 2003 by Andy Rubin, who first started developing an OS for digital cameras. Soon, he realized that the market for digital camera operating systems perhaps wasn't all that big, and Android, Inc. diverted its attention toward smartphones.

It wasn't until 2005 that Google purchased Android, Inc., and while there wasn't much info about Android at the time, many took it as a signal that Google would use the platform to enter the phone business. Eventually, Google did enter the smartphone business -- but not as a hardware manufacturer. Instead, it marketed Android to other manufacturers, first catching the eye of HTC, which used the platform for the first Android phone, the HTC Dream, in 2008.

Mobile

Google just added 6 great features to Android, from security to accessibility

Someone holding a Google Pixel 5. The screen is on and shows the Home Screen with an app folder open.

Google is bringing a range of extra features to Android, and you don't have to wait for Android 12 to get them. The company announced a series of features across the Android system, with six main updates, so there's a little something here for everyone.

The new features are starting to become available now, however, they're coming out as part of separate app updates or Android updates, so you might get some before others.

News

Google Maps’ latest features aim to ease holiday season stress

google maps new features aim to ease holiday season stress covid layer

Google is adding new pandemic-related data to Maps aimed at getting you safely through the holiday season and beyond.

First up, the Maps team is about to roll out enhancements to the app's so-called “COVID layer” for iOS and Android. Launched in September, the feature offers lots of insightful pandemic data, such as recent case numbers for the part of the map that you have on the screen. You can enable the layer by tapping on the app’s “COVID-19” button at the top right-hand corner of your display.