∞ Google bringing turn-by-turn navigation to the iPhone

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Google on Thursday said it would bring free turn-by-turn navigation to Apple’s iPhone. The revelation came during a press conference in the U.K. where the company announced the feature for Android phones.

One of the biggest changes users will find from traditional navigation systems is that Google Maps will not download and store the maps on your phone. Instead, Google will download the maps on-demand, meaning you’ll need a data connection.

There are a number of navigation apps available for the iPhone already, including several from some of the larger companies including Tom Tom and Magellan.

Google is not worried in the least about how their free service will affect the other companies, saying they had “become complacent and that they will now be forced to innovate.”

The company didn’t mention the iPad, but considering the app is available on both the iPhone and iPad, it would make sense to bring it to both devices. Google also didn’t say when the feature would be available.


  • Adam

    Great, this looks like an exciting development from Google but I'm sceptical as to how effective the navigation can be if it relies on mobile data access. iPhone struggles enough under normal circumstances to get a consistent data stream; travelling at 70mph on the motorway will exacerbate this. Won't that get in the way of the service?

  • Brian H

    How does turn-by-turn directions make sense on a device with no GPS receiver (iPad/iTouch)?

    I only see this working decent on the iPhone 3G and 3GS. And the need for a data feed might be a severe limitation. However, it seems the phone could easily cache everything needed for a typical trip across town, if the app works that way. Would still be an issue for a "re-route" feature, however.