Comments on: Google Navigation: GPS, Turn-By-Turn Directions?

By: Frank in Beans

Frank in Beans — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:37:27 +0000

“What company is going to invest huge amounts of money to release a new GPS product with a projected revenue stream of $0?”

What you are describing, technically, is not a Monopoly. Companies could still create a product that would work with phones or cars – Google isn’t creating an atmosphere where this isn’t feasible. Having the best product (assuming Google’s product is good, which I’m sure it will be) does not make you a Monopoly. It just means you are more innovative and creative. For instance, Garmin sells watches to runners, builds GPS modules within cars, etc. There are opportunities to improve your product and warrant the prices. Listen, I understand the point being made – it’s just not a Monopoly based on what their current business model is.

Google is changing the landscape for these enterprises, not eliminating it.

By: polarbear42

polarbear42 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:49:58 +0000

And here i Tromsoe, if you where to trie and use this google nav to get to nattmaalsveien you would end nowhere, because its not on their maps yet. Why can’t google use and build upon Openstreetmap data, but have to reinvent the wheel by doing it all by them self.
Me, I would love to see google involving them self with Openstreetmap, but then if they want to do all the work double up then by all means let them.

By: tom

tom — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:06:21 +0000

“For Google to have a Monopoly of navigation systems, they would be required to not only eliminate the current competition, but prevent consumers from using future navigation products”

Eliminate the competition? Easy: Google release a free product. Who’s going to pay for navigation GPS when a credible alternative is free?
Prevent future competition? Easy: What company is going to invest huge amounts of money to release a new GPS product with a projected revenue stream of $0? Especially considering Google’s near global reach.

By: The Biggest hit to Apple domination? Google embracing only Android. | James | HATCHideas

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:54:24 +0000

[...] 2.0, Release 1 — Android 2. is a major platform … Rob Jackson / Android Phone Fans: Google Navigation: GPS, Turn-By-Turn Directions? Share and [...]

By: Kulkos

Kulkos — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:44:19 +0000

And it’s alive!!! It’s HUGELY fantastic – gongratulations on the timing with the news guys, you have good tipsters. And the software will not only make the satnav companies quickly bust but can be a driver for the whole platform. I’m definitely switching from s60 Symbian to Android now (or on my next contract renewal). I’ve been using Nokia Maps, but always added POIs first from Google Maps (they share the database on Symbian phones), but now, it’s SO revolutionary, that it’s even hard to imagine :)

By: Frank in Beans

Frank in Beans — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:47:14 +0000

@okubax

Interesting ethics question, but I disagree with your assertion. For Google to have a Monopoly of navigation systems, they would be required to not only eliminate the current competition, but prevent consumers from using future navigation products – in a similar fashion to how Microsoft basically forced users to use Office and their operating systems. Ironically, Microsofts monopolies have paved the way for Google’s ‘open’ strategy.

Who knows if Google will change their act down the road – but the strategy they are using now is not ‘monopolistic’. It doesn’t make much sense for them to take the Microsoft approach when their current approach is successful and anti-microsoft.

By: vincent

vincent — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:24:15 +0000

google is about to get a lot more informations about my life. Even more than my isp does.
.
a few years ago, i already found a creepy side to gmail. i remember a friend writing nsa had put money into this.

By: Héctor

Héctor — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:58:37 +0000

There’s one difference between Microsoft and Google monopolies… Google makes quality things, and his profit model is not based on selling crap. I’ve had 4 pdas to this moment, 3 winmo and 1 android, and I’ve seen more updates (and FREE updates) in 6 months with android than in 4 years with winmo… Wellcome monopoly of my dreams.

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:14:50 +0000

I like Google, Hell I’d let them fuck my sister! But seriously, I see nothing wrong with Google-opoly unless they suddenly turn evil… Don’t turn evil Google!

By: Cybersedan

Cybersedan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:24:57 +0000

Pretty soon little green robots will run the world… instead of iRobot, it will be gRobot.

Go Google, I love your products.

By: z dog

z dog — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:26:24 +0000

If the so called Google Nav did come fruition, I don’t think that it would necessarily impose a monopoly – there would still be a niche for standalone GPS nav units. The one draw back the I have with the current G Maps is use in mountainous or remote areas with limited cell/data coverage (e.g. the Sierras in CA). Unfortunately, the only way that I can preload a map in G Map is browse ahead (at a hopefully good zoom level) and hope the previewed area will remain in the cache. If I zoom in or out, I run the risk purging some of the cache. I guess that is one of the strong points about Delorme’s Street Atlas (mapping vendor) PDA support, where I could preload my gf’s palm treo when we went to the Rockies a couple years ago. (Other than that, the treo sucked). I was actually hoping that Delorme was gonna create a PDA client for Android, but no such luck afaik. (Could be another rev stream for them if they could nav a way to pull their head out of there ass)

By: Google Turn-By-Turn Directions | Android Phone Fans

Google Turn-By-Turn Directions | Android Phone Fans — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:25:46 +0000

[...] was quick. You know how we were just telling you about insider speculation regarding Google’s own GPS Navigation application/software? An anonymous tipster helped us [...]

By: obeyryan

obeyryan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:43:26 +0000

so in the first video it tells us we can go to m.google.com/maps to download the newest version with layers.

is the map system we already have on android phones the same thing or is this something newer?

By: baddriver

baddriver — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:58:09 +0000

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/bright-side-of-sitting-in-traffic.html

By: baddriver

baddriver — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:57:18 +0000

I think the coolest part will be the integration of google traffic data with the turn by turn directions. Since they have live traffic now (crowdsourced from mobile devices http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/bright-side-of-sitting-in-traffic.html) it’s natural for them to integrate this into the directions automatically routing you on the shortest time trip based on current traffic. I’ve been thinking about this possibility for years and I didn’t think it would be free and come on my cell phone :)