Could Google be working on a free real-time navigation service?

Damian Koh | Oct 28, 2009

(Credit: Google)

According to a recent Forbes report, mapping service providers suspect that Google may be working on a free turn-by-turn navigation service.

Editors' note:

Shortly after we posted this article, Google announced its Maps Navigation service (beta). More details here.

The biggest telltale sign was the end of a licensing agreement in the US between Google and map provider Tele Atlas earlier this month. Tele Atlas, however, said it has a contract to work with Google on international maps at least until July 2013. The search giant has been amassing mapping data for years including satellite imagery, street views with camera-equipped cars and, more recently, three-wheeled trikes.

In August, Google started crowdsourcing road congestion data in the US by collecting information using the My Location feature on Google Maps. Latitude, on the other hand, lets users share their locations with other friends.

Google Maps is currently available both on the desktop and mobile devices. In addition, Google also has its own mobile operating system, Android, which will enable the company to preload a navigation app onto the device.

What do you think? If Google does launch a free navigation service along with Google Maps, would you still pay to use a similar service from, say, Tele Atlas or Navteq?

Filed under: Mobile Phones
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