And the death knell rings for GPS units...

[Pliablemoose]

One Google to rule them all...

 

[QueBert]

It won't be reliable, which is the #1 most important thing about a GPS, well that and accuracy. My Gmail disconnects me from chat at least 4 times a day every day. I use Google Chat a lot and it's constantly fucking up. I know it's not just me either, I have friends who complain about it. I would stay far far away from a Google GPS unit, but hay that's just me.

 

[Muadib]

Google = Skynet.

Kill it now, while you still can.....

 

[shortylickens]

I was suprised they didnt have it already. I just got a 35 dollar USB GPS unit for my netbook last week and thought I could navigate with Google Maps. I could not. Had to go to ACM and get Streets and Trips and download it, burn it, move it to my thumb drive, then install it.
BUT, it works great.
Assuming Google Maps could do voice navigation it would be awesome. Especially if it could name streets and such.

 

[erwos]

Interesting assumption that it'll be free.

 

[boomhower]

considering their track record I would say that would be a pretty safe assumption. Maybe some adds tossed in but I doubt you will need any up front payment.

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: QueBert
It won't be reliable, which is the #1 most important thing about a GPS, well that and accuracy. My Gmail disconnects me from chat at least 4 times a day every day. I use Google Chat a lot and it's constantly fucking up. I know it's not just me either, I have friends who complain about it. I would stay far far away from a Google GPS unit, but hay that's just me.

hahaha what the hell? Your gmail disconnects you from chat, and therefore you can't use Google's turn by turn directions?

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: QueBert
It won't be reliable, which is the #1 most important thing about a GPS, well that and accuracy. My Gmail disconnects me from chat at least 4 times a day every day. I use Google Chat a lot and it's constantly fucking up. I know it's not just me either, I have friends who complain about it. I would stay far far away from a Google GPS unit, but hay that's just me.

hahaha what the hell? Your gmail disconnects you from chat, and therefore you can't use Google's turn by turn directions?

Well, if getting disconn'd from the net means that you can no longer stream new maps for nav, yes, that's a bit of a problem.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Tom Tom & Garmin stock is getting hammered...

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: QueBert
It won't be reliable, which is the #1 most important thing about a GPS, well that and accuracy. My Gmail disconnects me from chat at least 4 times a day every day. I use Google Chat a lot and it's constantly fucking up. I know it's not just me either, I have friends who complain about it. I would stay far far away from a Google GPS unit, but hay that's just me.

hahaha what the hell? Your gmail disconnects you from chat, and therefore you can't use Google's turn by turn directions?

Well, if getting disconn'd from the net means that you can no longer stream new maps for nav, yes, that's a bit of a problem.

A few things.....

1) the issue isn't the google network, its the google chat app of the gmail that's buggy.
2) They're, uh, completely different products. Would you say you can't buy a PS3 because your Sony speakers don't sound good? Can't use Microsoft Word because you think Windows Mobile is an outdated platform? Balk at buying a GE refrigerator because of Three Mile Island?

I could keep going, but you get the picture.

 

[Zenmervolt]

The sad thing about this (for me) is that I bought a Garmin 765T just last night to replace my ailing Lowrance iWay 350c that is making ominous clicking noises from the integral microdrive and is taking longer and longer (~10 minutes now) to acquire satellite lock.

ZV

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: QueBert
It won't be reliable, which is the #1 most important thing about a GPS, well that and accuracy. My Gmail disconnects me from chat at least 4 times a day every day. I use Google Chat a lot and it's constantly fucking up. I know it's not just me either, I have friends who complain about it. I would stay far far away from a Google GPS unit, but hay that's just me.

hahaha what the hell? Your gmail disconnects you from chat, and therefore you can't use Google's turn by turn directions?

Well, if getting disconn'd from the net means that you can no longer stream new maps for nav, yes, that's a bit of a problem.

It's cus he has an iPhone which is on AT&T so of course his 3G connection is going to drop.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
The sad thing about this (for me) is that I bought a Garmin 765T just last night to replace my ailing Lowrance iWay 350c that is making ominous clicking noises from the integral microdrive and is taking longer and longer (~10 minutes now) to acquire satellite lock.

ZV

You could return it......

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: erwos
Interesting assumption that it'll be free.

I guess you don't read the news.....

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Honestly, this won't end GPS units. Not everyone wants/has smartphones nor does everyone have phones + internet connection. This is for smartphones only and obviously Android first. When WinMo, Symbian, and then iPhone will get it, who knows? Then what about phones running regular Java apps?

And why would people suddenly sign up for a $30 data plan just to get GPS mapping? That's like saying people buy a smartphone + $99 Garmin Mobile XT for GPS capabilities.... People want a dedicated GPS for a reason...

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
Honestly, this won't end GPS units. Not everyone wants/has smartphones nor does everyone have phones + internet connection. This is for smartphones only and obviously Android first. When WinMo, Symbian, and then iPhone will get it, who knows? Then what about phones running regular Java apps?

And why would people suddenly sign up for a $30 data plan just to get GPS mapping? That's like saying people buy a smartphone + $99 Garmin Mobile XT for GPS capabilities.... People want a dedicated GPS for a reason...

A tad old, but still valid, IMO.

 

[EarthwormJim]

Most phones can play music and can take fairly large capacity memory cards, yet people still buy mp3 players...

This won't be the death of standalone GPS devices. This will just lead to better and hopefully cheaper GPS devices.

 

[Zoomer]

I don't see it as a replacement for stand alone GPS units just yet. The need for a network connection makes it unreliable. Being near Canada, I won't even try using it anywhere remotely near the border. I can just see it now:

"Google Maps = $20k Cell Phone Bill!"

 

[QueBert]

It's cus he has an iPhone which is on AT&T so of course his 3G connection is going to drop.

No worse, I have T-Mobile, T-Mobile makes AT&T's network seem like the best ever.

 

[EightySix Four]

Interestingly, I've heard Google can't use the map data they had previously because their contract didn't allow for turn by turn, so the data is all Google and apparently pretty inaccurate.

 

[Muadib]

Interestingly, I've heard Google can't use the map data they had previously because their contract didn't allow for turn by turn, so the data is all Google and apparently pretty inaccurate.

Where did you get this?????