The more I used it the more I liked it. What I like most is a green light indicating that there are no traffic jams on my journey - which unfortunately doesn't happen very often in the Netherlands. Fortunately with the new motorway the traffic situation has improved significantly. My first observation: Google traffic information is much more accurate than the one delivered by my Audi system. That's not a surprise as Google must be collecting all this information from other users. The more drivers will be using the Google Navigation the more accurate this information will be and there will never be a car navigation system which will be able to compete with it.
The user interface is much simpler, and finding a Point of Interest is not only very easy but there are many more than on the Audi's DVD. Last but not least all this information is updated real time and you have access to it immediately after new information is available without waiting for another year just for an updated DVD !
There is one caveat with the Google navigation application: it generates lots of data traffic what could be a killer for your data usage plan and is not a real option when going abroad due to the high data roaming costs. I hope that Google will reduce the amount of data usage and also soon offer an offline version allowing downloading a map and using navigation without Internet Connection. There are rumors that Google will release an off-line navigation by the end of this year
Such an offline alternative is offered by the NAVIGON navigation application which (in a basic version) is delivered for free with a T-Mobile subscription. I used it on my iPhone as well and in many ways it is also superior to the Audi navigation system. However the traffic information option and maps for Europe need to be purchased separately for just 19 Euros each. My wife - a big iPhone fan- is very enthusiast about this application.
I am positive that the smartphone powered navigations will become a good alternative for the built-in car navigation systems pushing car manufactures to start delivering more open navigation systems allowing one to connect smart phones and taking advantage of the power of Internet. This could result in using a large car control display by the smartphone navigation. In my view even the most expensive models equipped with the Head-Up Displays, which features my friend recently demonstrated to me in his new BMW 535, could take advantage of the integration with smartphone applications.
The speed of innovation in smart phones designs and applications is amazing and the only way to compete with them is to work on car ecosystem allowing seamless co-existence with smart phones and other intelligent Internet devices. It will offer the drivers an opportunity of taking advantage of the newest navigation technology even while driving their favourite old car they are so attached to.
BMW recognizes the potential in the smartphone innovation wave and just started a New York based venture devoted to location based services. BMW recently launched MyCityWay application and I just started using MYCityWay Amsterdam.
BMW already offers smartphone users opportunity to read emails on the large control display. This in my view is a far better strategy than turning a car into an Internet device as Audi recently demonstrated.
What about the manufactures of dedicated navigation devices such as TomTom? The latest TomTom profit warning indicates that they already suffer from smartphone navigation competition.
Google keeps working on several new features and improvements of its beta navigation software. The most serious bug I spotted was when Google navigation recommended my standard route via A2 to Amsterdam, while it was closed by the police for investigation after a robbery in Amsterdam during which the gangsters escaped after driving the A2 south up to 240km per hour using explosives and machine guns.
I am looking forward to the first release of the Google maps navigation and an opportunity to use it in my new car without the necessity of having to buy a car dock.
