Google recently released a mobile application for their great maps interface. I don’t know about you, but this year Google Maps on the web has become my defacto mapping tool for getting from point A to point B around the United States. Now, this tool is available for download in “Beta” release at http://www.google.com/gmm.
I discovered the “My Location” feature of Google Maps for Mobile accidentally on my Samsung Blackjack using the AT&T network. I installed the Google Maps beta after seeing a link on a standard Google search for a local business on my mobile browser. When I brought up the map app for the first time I was amazed to see it pinpointing the area where I was standing…this shocked me since my mobile device does not have GPS and I wondered if Google had finally decided to add “human tracking” to their array of applications. After a moment of awe I realized they were using the cell towers near me to approximate my wherabouts and I was comforted to know that big brother GOOG wasn’t tracking me after all :)
I used this application thoroughly this week in the Southern California area. The app proved itself to be a handy reference guide on the major freeways. The feature that really stood out for me in the horrendous Los Angeles gridlock was the “traffic” visibility. Using the “My Location” feature and then clicking “Show Traffic” helped be get around a couple of nasty accidents by using alternative routes.
The application is quick and responsive on the Samsung Blackjack, providing speedy redraw as you scroll around and zoom in/out of the maps. In addition, basic search info for businesses is displayed when you search for an address. I found this quite helpful when trying to locate a store and not knowing if they were still open. Right on the map was a linked phone number for the business and I just clicked the link, my phone dialed the number and I was connected to the business — all within the Google Maps for Mobile interface. Well done Google!
You may be wondering, “can I use this instead of a GPS?” While I wouldn’t call this a “GPS replacement” I do consider this a decent alternative in three specific cases:
- You’re driving in an area you know fairly well and just need a reference map
- You don’t mind stopping to reference your map’s directions — Google Maps doesn’t call out turn by turn directions and trying to read your tiny mobile device screen may distract you enough to crash and become a red zone on Google Map’s “Show Traffic” feature!
- You have someone next to you hold your mobile device and call out directions (sort of a humanized GPS)
Overall, an impressive application that I will continue to use. I encourage you to download the free application for your mobile and give it a try.
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