Entered CNET Catalog: 07/27/2006
SKU: SERVGOOGLEMAPSMOBILE
Manufacturer: Google
Product summary
The good: Google Maps for Mobile brings helpful step-by-step driving directions and traffic info to your cell phone or smart phone. The app also provides satellite imagery, integrated search results, and a useful click-to-dial feature.
The bad: Google Maps for Mobile doesn't support all cell phones, and traffic information is limited to select cities and major highways. Its support is also somewhat lacking.
The bottom line: Despite some limitations, Google Maps for Mobile is a simple and handy app that brings interactive maps, driving directions, and traffic info to your mobile device.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 07/27/2006
Google Maps for Mobile can be downloaded to most Java-enabled cell phones, but there's a catch and it's a major one. It works only with mobiles offered by Cingular and Sprint and color BlackBerry devices; if you're a T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless (or BREW-enabled handsets), or Nextel customer, too bad--no Google Maps for you. And Palm Treo owners? Sorry, you're out of luck, too. The encouraging news is that Google says it's working to make the service available to more handsets, so don't give up hope. You can check for your phone's compatibility here. Also, while Google Maps for Mobile is free to download, be aware that you'll need a data plan from your service provider for the airtime used to retrieve maps, traffic information, and so forth. You can purchase plans wherein you pay by the kilobyte, but we recommend you get an unlimited data plan as the charges can add up fast.
For our tests, we downloaded the app to the RIM BlackBerry 8700c by visiting www.google.com/gmm on the mobile's Web browser, and setup was fast and painless. We entered our location, and Google Maps returned with a rendering of the area. It's important to note that Google Maps is not based on GPS technology. You can zoom in and out as well as pan around the map using the phone's keypad. For the most part, the redraw rate was acceptable in our tests, although there were occasions where it took several minutes for the maps to reload. You can also bring up a satellite view, which is always cool.
Driving directions are offered step by step, and you're presented with the total distance and estimated travel time. However, viewing these instructions on a tiny cell phone screen while driving probably isn't the safest, so if you have a passenger in the car, it'd be best to pass the handset to him or her. Also, we found that we didn't always agree with the directions given by Google Maps. There were times where we knew there was a more direct route to our destination, but, hey, if you don't know where you're going, Google Maps for Mobile can definitely be a lifesaver. You can search for local businesses by entering specific names or generic terms, such as Chinese restaurant, and Google Maps will pinpoint locations with those lovely balloons. Even better, you get the phone numbers of the establishments so that you can dial directly from your mobile; perfect if you want to make an impromptu dinner reservation. We tried out several terms, such as ice cream, Italian restaurant, and gym, and found the results to be current and accurate. We also like that Google Maps saves recently entered addresses and searches; alternatively, you can set frequently visited locations as part of your Favorites list.
Google Maps for Mobile currently offers traffic information in 30 major U.S. metropolitan cities, including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, and partial coverage in other locations. Google doesn't provide a list of available cities, which would have been nice; instead, you can check out the interactive demo to go to your home city, select Show Traffic, and either you'll get the traffic data or you'll get this message: "Traffic info is not available in this area." According to Google, the level of coverage for traffic updates is determined by the quality and amount of traffic data available in each market, but it's looking to expand into more areas in the future.
If you live in a supported city, the service is pretty handy. You get information only about major highways, not surface streets, but heavily congested areas are outlined in red, while slow areas are marked in yellow, and clear roadways are noted in green. In addition, there's a Traffic Delay feature that gives you an estimated time of delay. We tried out the service in San Francisco, and in general, we found the data to be pretty accurate, although Google Maps identified some high-traffic sections as yellow or green, when we thought they should have been red.
Overall, Google Maps for Mobile is straightforward to install and use, so you shouldn't have too many problems. There were times where questions arose (for example, is traffic information available for surface streets?), but as with most free software products, support options are somewhat limited. Still, the FAQ section, the interactive tour, and the discussion forum do an adequate job of addressing most issues.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7out of 7 user reviews
Awesome smart phone application
Pros: Free. Available satellite images. Turn by turn directions. Works even without GPS.
Cons: Maps not entirely up to date for Canada
out of 7 user reviews
Handy little application!
Pros: Finds businesses and addresses very effectively.
Cons: It's loads pages pretty slowly.
out of 7 user reviews
A great and helpful app
Pros: Totally mobile and easy to use
Cons: User options are a little primative. Limited to cellular area
The user functions and the way you intereact is a bit behind but the system as a whole makes up for that.
It's not an expensive NAV system or GPS, but it's free and must for anyone that needs something like this.
out of 7 user reviews
OK, but lacks latest NAVTEQ data.
Pros: Fast, Mostly Thorough
Cons: Needs High Speed Data, Needs to be updated with latest maps.
out of 7 user reviews
Next best thing to a navi system
Pros: Great maps, easy navigation
Cons: Wished it used knowledge of your location
I wish it could use information from the cell tower you're near to estimate where you are or at least eliminate the need to enter city/state if you enter a local address.
out of 7 user reviews
Its good. But needs too much data.
Pros: Maps, directions
Cons: limited and again uses up too much data
On top of it, they seem to have much more than this search business. They seem to be building a social networking site from phone itself. See the website at www.fonemine.com
out of 7 user reviews
Great idea - definitely a keeper
Pros: High quality maps/photos, great if you're lost without a map
Cons: Free to get., but $$$ to use
I have a Motorola V551 and it ran OK, except for the traffic part which didn't work on my phone - the Google site lists that phone as compatible.
The program could use some more configuration options that might help to reduce the size of the downloads. I'd suggest an option to show only the major roads, and another to just show text directions without the graphics.
