Google unveils turn-by-turn navigation for Android handsets

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Google today launched a beta version of its navigation service for Google Maps in the UK, but for now only Android users will be able to benefit from the free turn-by-turn navigation on offer.

Even then, users of HTC's Hero will have to wait a bit longer as the new Google Maps Navigation beta will only run on version 1.6 or above of the Android operating system.

Google said that HTC will be updating the Hero to run on the latest Android OS come June, in addition to suggesting it will make the service available to other mobile users such as those using iPhones in the future.

The new service - which launched in the US last year - takes the most recent map data from the cloud, which should benefit business users and consumers alike, according to Steve Lee, Google's mobile maps group product manager.

Lee said that the service would provide value "not only when you're lost or don't know where you're going but even on your daily commute."

A number of other benefits and features are on offer, including the ability to search by business name rather than just address, a traffic view that shows how congested roads are using the red, amber, green traffic colours as indicators, the ability to look at locations using both Street View and satellite view and a car docking mode.

The ability to search using voice is also included and expected to add to the appeal, Lee said as he demonstrated trying to locate where the Rosetta Stone is housed.

"It's magical," he said. "You can see that the second result down is the British Museum. We think that's super compelling."

Responding to questions as to why the UK had to wait a while for this service following the US launch, Hugo Barra, Google's mobile product management director said: "Our philosophy has always been to release products we think are ready for a large number of people and improve over time as opposed to holding onto it for a year."

He suggested that web giant does well in reinvigorating markets that have been stagnant for a while. "Navigation is a good example," he said, before adding "The [devices] have gotten smaller and smaller but the experience hasn't really changed for five years or more. [Google's trying to] unleash more and more innovation that will further improve these systems."

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