23 November 2009 ~ 3 Comments

Google Maps Navigation Now Available for Android 1.6

Android Android Apps Google

Google Maps Navigation (beta) just drove onto the Android Market highway and is available for download to Android phones using OS 1.6 or higher. Sadly this kicks sand in the face of the Sprint HTC Hero and Verizo Droid Eris – both of which shipped with Android 1.5 and are therefore unable to run this new application until they receive an OS update to 1.6 or higher. The updated Google Maps includes the new Layers feature which lets you overlay geographical information on the map. View My Maps, transit lines, Wikipedia articles, about places and more. Some features that are available on Android 2.0 will not be usable on 1.6, for example the ability to “navigate to” using voice command is not available. For the present moment HTC Hero and Eris users will have to occupy their time by adding this to their list of “why it’s not wise to buy a phone more than one OS revision away from being current”.

Google Maps Navigation (Beta)

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Wayne Schulz is a CT CPA and consultant. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, New York City, blogging, technology and searching for the perfect smartphone. He lives in Glastonbury CT with his two children. Contact Wayne by email at wayne@wayneschulz.com. (Important: We are not the manufacturer or seller of any items we've blogged so unfortunately we are unable to provide support or answer questions about them).

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  • wardmundy

    If I were Sprint, I'd be really pissed at Google for ignoring Android 1.5 in this update to Google Nav particularly since it's already been shown to work on this platform.

  • http://www.s-consult.com Wayne Schulz

    I tell you when I was standing in the Verizon store comparing the Droid to the Eris I said “no way” to Eris just based on it being 2 revisions behind on the Android OS. I just don't trust the manufacturers to upgrade the OS at the speed they promise.

    I've seen quite a few Windows Mobile phones either get the OS upgrade waaaaaay late — or never at all. Never again..

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