By: Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh
Email :[email protected]
Google has announced the next step for Google Maps for mobile phones in Ghana. The availability of Google Maps Navigation (Beta) http://www.google.com/mobile/navigation/ for phones running Android 2.2 (or above) and iOS 5.1 (or above) is now available to mobile phone users in the West African country.
The Google Maps Navigation (Beta) is an Internet-connected Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation or ‘satnav’ system that provides turn-by-turn voice driving directions as a feature of Google Maps for mobile.
Google Maps Navigation (Beta) uses phone Internet connection to give the latest maps and driving directions with a free application.
Google’s navigation tool is regularly updated with the most recent data from Google Maps, which means users will not be required to purchase map upgrades or manually update their devices.
Google Maps Navigation was built from the ground up as an Internet-connected GPS system, allowing users to search for their locations through a voice recognition.
Commenting on the launch, Country Manager Google Ghana, Estelle Akofio-Sowah added ‘In addition to offering address search, Google Navigation will allow Ghanaians to search for locations by their business names. You can just say ‘Tema round-about’ or ‘Nkrumah Circle’ and Google navigation will provide directions to the required destination’. Navigation Beta brings plenty of features including identifying landmarks along the route such as petrol stations, restaurants and parking areas.
She enumerated some of the benefits of Google Maps Navigation (Beta). These Ms Akofio-Sowah mentioned include:
Easy to use : Google finds your destination: Just type — or say your destination — and Google Maps Navigation (Beta) finds it, just like when you search on Google Maps. No need to know the address. Misspelled queries are corrected, and ambiguous queries return multiple results so the user can choose the right one.
It’s always fresh : No updating or downloads — always the most recent maps, businesses and traffic. Being connected to the Internet means you’re always using the latest data from Google Maps. You never need to buy map upgrades or manually update your device. Where traffic data is available, Navigation can even automatically route you around bad traffic.
It’s free with your smartphone : Like the rest of Google Maps, Navigation (Beta) is free (Note: carrier data plan charges still apply). Additionally, since it’s part of your phone, you don’t need to carry an extra device; and
It’s safe: You no longer have to look at your phone screen to follow the route, you can simply listen for indications.
To get Google Maps Navigation Beta, search for and download the newest release of ‘Google Maps’ in Play, Android’ app market or the Apple App Store, according to her.