Google Maps Navigation extends to Android 1.6

A few weeks after introducing its Google Maps Navigation [1] application for devices running the Android 2.0 operating system, [2]Google announced it will expand the free turn-by-turn service to devices powered by Android 1.6 and higher, including T-Mobile USA's myTouch 3G and G1. Google Maps Navigation boasts all the familiar bells and whistles of GPS-based navigation systems, like 3D views, voice guidance and automatic re-routing, but was built to take advantage of smartphones' constant connection to the web, enabling features like real-time traffic views, street and satellite views, updated map and business data, and searching by voice, plain English or route. According to Google, Android 1.6 users can now download an updated version of the app, although some features available to 2.0 devices are not operational, among them the ability to use the "navigate to" voice command.

In other Google news, the web services giant announced the addition of mobile coupons to its Google Local Search service. "If a business adds a mobile coupon to its Google Local Business Center listing, you'll be able to access it from your mobile device," writes product manager Alex Gawley on the Official Google Mobile Blog [3]. "Just go to google.com on your phone and search for a local business. When you land on its Place Page. you'll see any coupons or discounts that might be available. Then simply show the participating business the coupon, right from your phone, to redeem the offer."

For more on Google Maps Navigation's expansion:
- read this Official Google Mobile Blog entry [4]

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