Previous navigation applications for smart phones have usually fallen short when compared to dedicated navigation units. But the new Google Maps Navigation program for Android 2.0 that's just been announced is worth watching as a possible game changer.

Why? Because Google has lots of experience working with data-intensive map applications and has built both web and mobile applications that work when the user is online or off. Even more importantly, the Google Maps Navigation app will be free to own and use on any Android 2.0 phone–such as Verizon's soon-
to-be-released Motorola Droid. (Note: We recently acquired a
Droid from Verizon and will be testing and reporting on it here in this blog soon.)

Google Maps Navigation for Android 2.0 includes all the features you expect from stand-alone portable GPS units, including turn-by-turn voice guidance, automatic rerouting and visually appealing 3-D views. But, it's also designed to take advantage of your phone's Internet connection. According to Google, the app will have:

1. Constantly updated maps and business information from Google's database.
2. Voice recognition, so you can search by just speaking.
3. A traffic view from Google's live traffic feed.
4. Data for gas stations and other points of interests that can be layered on a route map, allowing users to find what they need without straying from their original route.
5. A satellite view that, according to Google, may help users see upcoming complicated maneuvers more clearly.
6. Street eye-level views for many roads allows you to see exactly what your next turn looks like in the real world.