Google Announces Free Google Maps Turn-by-turn Navigation for Android 2.0

Google has been assembling all of the pieces necessary (a huge and costly task) to offer turn-by-turn navigation on mobile platforms for some time. Still, many in the industry were surprised (witness Garmin's steep stock price drop) by Google's announcement of Google Maps Navigation for Android 2.0 today. This new beta application includes 3D views, turn-by-turn voice guidance, and automatic rerouting. Google also states this application differentiates itself by taking full advantage of mobile devices' always-on Internet connectivity. Add search by voice, and street view, and you have a powerful package. Keep in mind, however, that it runs only on mobile phones and devices running the Android 2.0 operating system. This OS will become more common (first phone running it is the Droid from Verizon), but you won't find it on the Apple iPhone, for example. Today's New York Times story on the announcement includes some good analysis, and I'll be providing more information and analysis on the new app here.