Google Maps Navigation In Europe

[djunio]

This has been one of the most wanted additions in Android since the release of the Droid. It has since then been added to most Android phones here in the US but our friends across the pond cant join in the glory that is free voice turn-by-turn navigation.





Google has been listening to the people in the European market who want this feature. But it is not as simple for them to just add it like they can here in the US. There are a few more obstacles to deal with n Europe. For example, Google works with partners such as Navteq (Nokia) or Tele Atlas (TomTom) to provide maps of Europe. Maybe they have been with holding the necessary maps cache Google needs to proper implement navigation. There is a rumor that Google has been working with a company in the Netherlands to help bring this feature to Europe. This is looking like it is the case due to the recent withdrawal of Navteq, which is Nokia?s navigation, from the Android Market.

[via frandroid]

Article Link : Google Maps Navigation In Europe

[Bascule]

I'm very much hoping this will arrive here in the UK soon.

I don't really understand why it's so difficult. I already have google maps on my G1 which shows where I am, where I want to go and draws me a nice little line to get me there. All they need to do now is tilt the map a bit and add the voice! What's the big deal?

[gpo1]

I'm very much hoping this will arrive here in the UK soon.

I don't really understand why it's so difficult. I already have google maps on my G1 which shows where I am, where I want to go and draws me a nice little line to get me there. All they need to do now is tilt the map a bit and add the voice! What's the big deal?

Lmao tilt the map....

[NPS_CA]

I'm very much hoping this will arrive here in the UK soon.

I don't really understand why it's so difficult. I already have google maps on my G1 which shows where I am, where I want to go and draws me a nice little line to get me there. All they need to do now is tilt the map a bit and add the voice! What's the big deal?

It's purely a licensing issue. Google developed their OWN dataset for the US. They took a base layer from other suppliers and enhanced it with their own data. Outside the US they are very much dependent on 3rd parties like TeleAtlas (less so with Navteq/Nokia)

Rough view form maps.google.com on data sources. NONE of these partners will allow free use for routing. They all expect a per user license.

Canada: TeleAtlas
Europe: TeleAtlas
Russia: Geocentre
Turkey: Barasoft
Australia/NZ: Map Data Sciences
Japan: Zenrin
S. Korea: SK
China: Mapabc
Mexico: Inegi
Brazil: MapLink/TeleAtlas

So unless we are willing to pay for a per user license per REGION I don't expect much to come out of worldwide routing for Google Maps. This also goes against Google's principal of keeping maps free. If they charge for routing you all will pitch a fit and talk about how Google Sucks... etc... The licensed data needs to be paid for one way or another. Googles use right now is for static maps browsable and viewable but NOT for real time routing.

[johnphagen]

I would LOVE to see turn by turn navigation in Europe. I hope Google are working there arses off to solve it. Turn by turn navigation is a big selling point for Android phones.

[gatorguy]

NPSDCA, I think you'll find that Google does have a TBT licence with AND, the "rumored" Netherlands-based company working with Google on EU maps.

[johnphagen]

NPSDCA, I think you'll find that Google does have a TBT licence with AND, the "rumored" Netherlands-based company working with Google on EU maps.

TBT licence, what does that mean? Would it mean turn by turn navigation for the whole of Europe or just parts of it?

[gatorguy]

Automotive Navigation Data (AND) has Turn-By-Turn detail for nearly all of Western Europe. Their coverage map is here: http://www.map20.org/worldviewer/

[Distributor-USA]

They are working at Google to release an update for Navigation in Europe.
The phone Nexus One is expected to arrive for official sale in Europe in the Spring of 2010 (April or May). I am expecting they release the update by July or August.
They may require European customers to pay for the Navigation function.
If you really want navigation in your phone you may have to pay a small fee.
Have in mind that iPhone, on the other hand, does provide GPS application via 3rd party (not Apple's) for $130 - it is not free.
What we most like about Android is that they constantly release FREE updates! Thanks, Google.

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