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I Absolutely love Google Navigation !!
- Thread starter xintensex
- Start date
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- galaxy nexus
PhilosoRaptor
Android Enthusiast
If you love it so much, why would you want to pay for something else? Is there any functionality its missing that you would be looking for in other software or standalone GPS units?
I like Google Nav a lot too, the only thing I wish it had was the ability to change the robotic sounding voice and have downloadable voice packs like the Tom Toms have.
I like Google Nav a lot too, the only thing I wish it had was the ability to change the robotic sounding voice and have downloadable voice packs like the Tom Toms have.
asmallchild
Member
nothing else, love the navigation app
CharlzO
Android Expert
I've toyed with a few, but no freebies I've found have the richness and features of Google Nav out of the box. The ONLY thing I wish it did, was display current speed somewhere on it (VZ Nav has it, but I hate to pay for stuff). Other than that though, (and that the voice insists on announcing CO RT (County Route), as "court"), I can't complain at all.
Outatime
Android Expert
You can add voices via SVOX. But it is at a cost.
As far as the program itself is concerned, it's awesome. I used it on my DInc *extensively* when house hunting. No need to look for anything better, the stock Google Nav work fantastically. And you NEVER have to update it! It's the perfect GPS.
As far as the program itself is concerned, it's awesome. I used it on my DInc *extensively* when house hunting. No need to look for anything better, the stock Google Nav work fantastically. And you NEVER have to update it! It's the perfect GPS.
HowDoiUseAndro
Member
The only driving App that comes close is called Waze.
It has lots of "social" features built into it:
Waze is a free social traffic and navigation app that uses real-time road reports from drivers nearby to save commuting time and improve your everyday driving. Way more than just another free navigation app, waze's social layer is what sets it apart - giving drivers the power to work together to report and receive the most relevant traffic information available at any given moment.
It has lots of "social" features built into it:
Waze is a free social traffic and navigation app that uses real-time road reports from drivers nearby to save commuting time and improve your everyday driving. Way more than just another free navigation app, waze's social layer is what sets it apart - giving drivers the power to work together to report and receive the most relevant traffic information available at any given moment.
trophynuts
Extreme Android User
+1 to google nav...i love it. It has replaced my Tom Tom as my travel GPS for work trips. Cant wait to get a good car dock that uses the three pin connectors.
edit* the only time i still have to use my Tom Tom is for trips to other countries such as Germany. I have the Germany maps loaded on my Tom Tom.
edit* the only time i still have to use my Tom Tom is for trips to other countries such as Germany. I have the Germany maps loaded on my Tom Tom.
I have tried tom, and all those other apps on an ipad (not on any android phone) so cant confirm this but there really is nothing that comes closed to GNav.
Traffic is always very accurate, you can store areas of the map for offline viewing (I don't think you can get directions with this alone but if you already have the directions and happens to lose data it will continue to navigate you unless you change routes and it reloads). Searching for anything else is great, if you are already in navigation it will search for things near your route. you can call business from the app, add as contacts, check in using social apps, read restaurant reviews, hell there is even build in mall maps (and other buildings).
The only negative thing I can say is that the alternate routes are a bit lacking. for instance I regularly travel to NYC, I always watch for traffic jams on GN but if you hit the alternate traffic option 9 out of ten it would be longer to follow those directions than figuring out a route on your own that ONLY avoids the actual traffic jam. I have avoided many many traffic nightmares thanks to GN.
Traffic is always very accurate, you can store areas of the map for offline viewing (I don't think you can get directions with this alone but if you already have the directions and happens to lose data it will continue to navigate you unless you change routes and it reloads). Searching for anything else is great, if you are already in navigation it will search for things near your route. you can call business from the app, add as contacts, check in using social apps, read restaurant reviews, hell there is even build in mall maps (and other buildings).
The only negative thing I can say is that the alternate routes are a bit lacking. for instance I regularly travel to NYC, I always watch for traffic jams on GN but if you hit the alternate traffic option 9 out of ten it would be longer to follow those directions than figuring out a route on your own that ONLY avoids the actual traffic jam. I have avoided many many traffic nightmares thanks to GN.
CharlzO
Android Expert
I used it on my old phone, until I realized I was one of about 3 people anywhere near me, that used the app. Basically made a lot of the interesting features pretty pointless, since my area is sparse enough that there aren't enough people updating with the app. With more users, it would be more fun, for sure.
truelove79
Android Enthusiast
Google Nav syncs your entire route offline. They added this a while back. I have no idea why we're even discussing other nav apps.
syntrix
Android Expert
Apparently GoogNav has the ability to cache your maps, too!
However if I'm going into an extended area for off-roading, I'll take a GPS with maps loaded. This won't apply to the majority of folk though!
“Download map area” added to Labs in Google Maps for Android - Official Google Mobile Blog
In fact, Google confirmed they were working on this a year or so ago, glad to see it implemented!
However if I'm going into an extended area for off-roading, I'll take a GPS with maps loaded. This won't apply to the majority of folk though!
“Download map area” added to Labs in Google Maps for Android - Official Google Mobile Blog
In fact, Google confirmed they were working on this a year or so ago, glad to see it implemented!
So long as you're within data service range when you 'sync', that's just fine.
However, if you're out in the middle of nowhere and lost, and you pull out your phone to try and find your way home, and you have no cell service, Google Nav will be of zero use to you. That hasn't changed.
D
Deleted User
Guest
Maybe Navigation won't work because you can't get directions, but there was a point in time where people could actually read a map, without a computerized voice announcing every turn along the way.
So, I suspect if you're out in the middle of nowhere and lost, and you pull out your phone in a desperate attempt to get home, you'd be able to stumble your way along to get home...
I know what your point is, I'm just mourning the lost art of reading a map.
It's weird that the blog entry says that. I just pulled up some maps a few weeks ago on my phone that I had cached back in September, and manually deleted them.