Google, Android 2.0 sticks fork in GPS devices

Global positioning devices were already on the road to becoming irrelevant and Google Maps Navigation for Android 2.0 may speed up the trip.

Google on a blog post announced the beta of Google Maps Navigation for Android 2.0 devices. Two takeaways to note:

• The app could be killer for Android devices and probably the first in a long line of goodies as Google aims to entice consumers to jump to the mobile operating system.
• The Google Maps Navigation app replicates a GPS device with turn-by-turn directions and automatic rerouting.

So what does Google's move mean for sales of GPS devices?

Google outlined how Google Maps Navigation has the most recent data, simple search, voice search and various views (satellite, traffic, street). In other words, Google will effectively take on Garmin and TomTom with its Android phones.

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