Google Maps is back on the iPhone

As some of us all expected, the official Google Maps app is now available for the iPhone. So, if you're looking for hospitals or medical offices, you shouldn't have any problems finding them on your iPhone. The Maps app by Apple hasn't been too accurate when it comes to identifying hospitals.

The Google Maps app also provides turn-by-turn GPS directions

CoPilot Live GPS navigation app for Android

If you like to use your Android smartphone as a GPS navigator, then you may want to take a look at CoPilot Live.

Now, I mainly use free Google Maps and Google Navigation on my Droid X, but CoPilot Live is a nice low-cost option (only $4.99).

Here's a snippet from their press release:

Already a popular choice for iPhone and iPad owners, CoPilot Live USA for Android provides easy to follow, powerful turn-by-turn guidance with clear 3D guidance views and voice directions throughout the USA. Detailed street-level maps are stored directly on the Android device, not downloaded each trip, so drivers don’t need to rely on a mobile internet connection for navigation.


Destination entry is made easy thanks to predictive address matching that finds addresses as you type. Millions of useful Points of Interest (POIs) are pre-installed as standard, including gas stations, restaurants and attractions.  The app also features sophisticated guidance features such as ClearTurn™ realistic display with lane indicator arrows and real sign post information for clear guidance at highway exits and complex intersections.

Learn more here: http://www.alk.eu.com/

Garminfone coming to T-Mobile

Our family uses a Garmin GPS for one of our cars. I've also used TomTom and Magellan GPS devices in the past. I still use my Dash GPS that I received for being a beta tester.

Even though I have standalone GPS devices, I also run a TomTom app on my Windows Mobile smartphone. It's always handy to have a GPS in your pocket if you're traveling. I use Google Maps to view traffic data and I've played around with a Garmin GPS app and I also tried iGuidance. Since you can get GPS navigation apps for other types of smartphones like the Apple iPhone and the BlackBerry Storm, the days of the standalone GPS devices are numbered.

The Garmin Garminfone is coming to T-Mobile and it's going to be the first Android™-powered smartphone and Garmin GPS navigation device in one.

* Voice-guided and on-screen directions with automatic rerouting
* Real-time traffic, weather, ETA, and gas prices
* Thousands of downloadable apps from Android Market
* Access to personal and work e-mail, IM, and text messaging

Given that the Android 2.0 and 2.1 operating system already includes turn-by-turn GPS navigation, why would you want to get a Garminfone?  It's for people who want to have the Garmin interface. I don't have a strong preference for any particular interface, so I'll use whatever I can if I need a GPS.

http://garminfone.t-mobile.com/

HTC Droid Eris will get update for Android 2.0

According to some rumors, Verizon Wireless will be releasing an update for the HTC Droid Eris. Android 2.0 is coming! That means you'll get to run Epocrates on your Droid Eris! I hope this also means that you'll get GPS navigation with turn-by-turn spoken directions on Google Maps.

Android 2.1 OS Update Delayed for the Motorola Droid

The Android 2.1 update has been delayed for the Droid. The Motorola Droid is currently the only Android smartphone on Verizon that's running Android 2.0. This makes it the only smartphone to have Google Maps with spoken turn-by-turn GPS navigation. I've been testing this feature and it's a great GPS! I'm sure the folks at TomTom and Garmin aren't happy with Google.

Droid Android 2.1 update coming soon

There are many circulating rumors that the Motorola Droid may be getting an operating system update to Android 2.1 very soon. It may even happen this week! I'm sure that Droid users are eager to see multi-touch support for the web browser. Pinch to zoom significantly improves the browsing experience and I really wish my smartphone had that feature.

So, when will other Android smartphones see the update to Android 2.1? I know several people who have the HTC Droid Eris and they already have multi-touch support, but they don't have Google Maps with turn-by-turn GPS navigation support.

Apple vs. Google (iPhone vs. Android)

Although Apple and Google may be competitors, they also rely heavily on each other for success.

On the Apple iPhone, who doesn't have a Google app?

• Who doesn't use Google Maps or YouTube on the iPhone?
• How about Google Sync? Almost everyone I know has a Gmail account.
  
• Google Earth is the top free app in the Travel section of the Apple App Store.
• Google Mobile App is the top free app in the Reference section of the App Store.
• How about Google Voice?  Why did Apple reject Google Voice?
  

Apple depends on Google for these critical apps. Where would Apple be if Google somehow restricted access on these important apps? I don't think Google would ever do that, would they? Apple depends on Google for its iPhone and iPod touch, but does Google depend on Apple for its Android OS?  Let's take a look:

• Do we have iTunes for Android? No
• How about QuickTime for Android? No
• Has Apple released any mobile apps for Android? I don't think so. 
• Will Apple release some type of desktop syncing software for Android? I don't think so. You'll have to use "The Missing Sync"
  

So, does Google's Android depend on Apple for its success and survival? At this point, I can't say that it does.

Favorite features on the HTC Droid Eris

The HTC Droid Eris has some really nice features that aren't found on many other smartphones. Allow me to highlight a few of them:

• The price! $99 is a great price for a smartphone. Plus, Verizon is offering a special "buy one and get one free" on the Droid smartphones.
  
• Rollerball/trackball is great when you're using a web browser. Even though the Droid Eris has a capacitive touch screen, the trackball is a great feature that simplifies the process of clicking on hyperlinks.
  
• HTC keyboard is much better than the standard Android keyboard.
• Slim profile, smaller screen, thin and light device.

I'm confident that this device will get the latest version of Google Android that includes turn-by-turn GPS navigation through Google Maps.

Google Maps Navigation now available for Android 1.6

According to the Official Google Mobile Blog, Google Maps Navigation now available for Android 1.6. So, if you happen to have a smartphone running Android 1.6 (Donut) and higher, such as the T-Mobile myTouch 3G and the G1, then you're in luck! Your devices may not run Android 2.0, but you can still get voice guidance and automatic rerouting features.

When will Google Maps Navigation be available for Windows Mobile?

Recycle your old smartphone into a GPS navigator

I like to keep my old gadgets. I realize that it may not be practical to keep them, but I like to play around with them and reminisce. I'm currently using my old HTC Titan (XV6800) as a standalone GPS navigator. Well, Google Android users who have the old T-Mobile G1 are keeping them and recycling them as GPS navigators. Google's updated Maps software (Navigation) provides turn-by-turn directions. Some people out there are finding ways to get Google Navigation to work on the HTC G1 (this is called hacking by some, and tweaking by others)

So, Google Navigation isn't only for the Motorola Droid if you're a developer or hacker. I don't have a G1, so I won't be trying this at home. If I had a G1, then I'd be really tempted to see what the XDA developers are up to.

The Motorola Droid gets reviewed by Brighthand

Thinking about using a Google Android-powered smartphone? The Motorola Droid has been reviewed by the folks at Brighthand. It's a nice slim slider that reveals a QWERTY keyboard. Yes, it's so slim that you may not think it's a slider. This phone runs Google Android 2.0 which means that you'll get voice-guided turn-by-turn directions when you use the built-in GPS navigation feature on this smartphone.

Samsung Moment on Sprint running Google Android

Sprint is about to get a Samsung smartphone running Google's Android operating system. The phone is called the Sprint Moment and it's a slider that has a full QWERTY keyboard. The device has a nice large 3.2" AMOLED screen (so it should be quite energy efficient).

One of the nice aspects of Android is that you gain easy access to Google's core services: Search, Maps, Gmail and YouTube. The major drawback for medical students, residents, physicians, and other healthcare professionals is the limited selection of medical apps for the Android operating system.

I have no doubts that Google's Android will be a successful smartphone OS. The major question is: where will it fall among Apple's iPhone, RIM's BlackBerry, Microsoft's Windows Mobile, and Palm's webOS?

Touch Pro2 allows cell tower location triangulation

Google Maps has a nice featured called "My Location" and it can either determine your location based on a GPS signal or via cell phone tower triangulation. In the past, when Verizon used to disable the internal GPS on smartphones, this feature did not work on most older smartphones. I was pleased to find that the cell phone triangulation works on the new HTC Touch Pro2. I tend to use the built-in GPS, so it may not be very relevant. However, I'm inclined to think that I'm getting a faster GPS lock thanks to this cell tower triangulation.

An old smartphone makes a great standalone GPS

Many people don't understand how a GPS (Global Positioning System) works. Some think that some type of paid subscription service is always required if you wish to use a GPS. They don't understand that most standalone GPS devices are free to use once you buy the product.

I recently went on a road trip where I took an old smartphone that has a built-in GPS chip and used that as a standalone GPS navigator. I loaded TomTom software with U.S. maps and used this old Windows Mobile smartphone like a regular GPS in my car. The phone radio was off, so it was not connected to any network. It was great because this allowed me to use my current smartphone to make/receive calls, to look up traffic data on Google Maps, or check my e-mail (but not while driving of course).

So, if you have an old smartphone laying around, you may want to know if it has an internal GPS chip. Some smartphones (especially those on Verizon Wireless) may have a chip that's been disabled, but you may be able to enable it by doing a bit of searching online. To name a few examples: the Verizon XV6800, Verizon XV6900, and the Verizon Touch Diamond all have internal GPS chips that have been disabled (but can be enabled if you know what you're doing).