Google denies turn-by-turn service coming to iPhone

Google is denying reports it will extend its free Google Maps Navigation turn-by-turn application to additional smartphone platforms, including Apple's iPhone. On Thursday, MacUser reported that Google announced plans to expand the Android navigation service to additional operating systems during a London press conference introducing Google Maps Navigation to the U.K. market, but did not offer further details, including a timetable. But a Google spokesperson tells PCWorld that's not the case: "We did not say we would bring it to iPhone, we said to date we've had it on Android and that in the future it may come to other platforms but did not confirm this will be coming to iPhone at all."

Google Maps Navigation launched in the U.S. in late 2009, in conjunction with the release of the digital services giant' Android 2.0 software update. According to Google, the mobile app 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 according to routes.

Many pundits anticipate free turn-by-turn services like Google Maps Navigation and Nokia's Ovi Maps will spell doom for traditional premium, subscription-based navigation solutions. Popular iPhone navigation apps include TomTom U.S.A. (priced at $59.99) and Navigon MobileNavigator North America ($79.99).

For more on Google Maps Navigation's proposed iPhone expansion:
- read this PCWorld article

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