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dangermouse75
regular
Reg'd: Sat
Posts: 2249
Loc: Coventry
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"Google has unveiled a free navigation system for mobile phones, which could spell the end of consumers paying for costly navigation devices from firms such as TomTom."
Source: Daily Mail
It is only going to be available on the The Motorola Droid phone in the US which will use Google's new Android 2.0 Operating System.
But the UK will get it next year on a new HTC Hero handset.
Share prices in Tom Tom dropped 13% on the news.
The only problem I can see is that this technology relies on a steady phone connection and if you are driving cross country you will be going in and out of range of Mobile phone masts.
If they could get their Google Gears technology to make it work offline, then they could be in business!
Ok I did some research into this:
"Does it work offline?
Sort of. Maps cache along your intended route, so even if your connection dies along the way the route will still show you what you need to see, and text-to-speech voice synthesis of street names still works, too."
My parents have a Tom Tom. We paid around £120. But I was then asked for more money to update the maps within months.
You pay extra for traffic news.
Now Google will be giving consumers this for free, companies charging for services will be forced to offer more for less money.
Bad for their share price. Good for consumers!
Looks like I'm getting a Google Android 2 phone next year 
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