| Standard in-car global positioning system, or GPS, | | | | traffic information display as an overlay for the |
| devices will face a tough competition in the form of | | | | routes, just like the Google Map feature available on |
| smart phones that are using Android system. For | | | | iPhone. |
| those who are not up to date with the latest | | | | The Google Street View application allows it's users |
| technology development, Android is an operating | | | | to see the ground level photos of the roads they |
| system for mobile phones developed by Google. | | | | want to see. Google claimed that for the users of |
| Phones using Android operating system can now | | | | the smart phones with Android operating systems, |
| have a software update and this includes some brand | | | | they can have the phones to be automatically |
| new features such as turn-by-turn navigation and | | | | changed into Street View when approaching the |
| Google Street View capability, which will be beneficial | | | | destinations and the phones are also able to display |
| to those who have GPS installed to the cars. | | | | satellite photos. There is also voice search capability |
| Rivalling to the in-car GPS devices, these Android | | | | for phones running with Android 2.0 and newer such |
| powered smart phones are capable to work like one | | | | as the Google Nexus One, Motorola Milestone, Acer |
| of them especially with the turn-by-turn feature | | | | Liquid, Droids and HTC Desire. This will allow inputs in |
| where an input on the destination will provide the | | | | speech which is much faster than typing. |
| directions to the place. What truly set the smart | | | | The downside to the wonderful piece of devices is |
| phones over the GPS devices is that these smart | | | | that just like all phones, it is heavily dependent on the |
| phones are constantly connected to the Internet, | | | | cellular connection and not satellite signals. This will be |
| making the maps and the road directions to the | | | | a problem should the area heading to not have cell |
| locations are always accurate and up to date. Unlike | | | | coverage or a weak signal. There are also data |
| those stand alone GPS navigation systems, these | | | | charges for using Android phones. A rough estimation |
| phones need not be linked to the computer for | | | | of data charge shows that a 20-kilometer trip will |
| regular updates on the map as it itself are mini | | | | take around 200 kilobytes of data. The bill will also be |
| computers with Internet connection. | | | | rather expensive if you use it outside the country. |
| These Android-powered phones also use the Google | | | | But if the fee is nothing of your concern, or you |
| search indexing making it easier to look for the | | | | have an unlimited data plan like many do, then this will |
| destination as there is no need to key in the full | | | | be a perfect device for you. |
| address to get the result. Just the name of the | | | | The upgrade of Android phones is only applicable for |
| building would suffice to make it safely to the | | | | its 1.6 version or later. |
| destination. There is also an option to use real time | | | | |