The Google Maps for Mobile team pushed a new version of their application today, with two hugely awesome features packed inside.
They’ve added support for Street View, which allows you to get a pedestrian’s-eye view of any street Google has cruised down with their panoramic-shootin’ super car. It’s a feature that has been around for quite some time on the desktop version, but is mounds more useful on-the-go.
The new release also adds walking directions for those of us that count on our kickers to get around. If there’s a sidewalk to walk on, your feet don’t care if a street is one way.
As long as you’ve got a compatible handset (BlackBerry, and most Java-enabled phones), you can nab the new release by pointing it at http://m.google.com/maps
turn by turn with voice is what we really need. {seesmic_video:{”url_thumbnail”:{”value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/0WQJo9tDo1_th1.jpg”}”title”:{”value”:”turn by turn with voice is what we really need. ”}”videoUri”:{”value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/QRPVZN3fcx”}}}
There are a bunch of great turn-by-turn services on Blackberry. My goodness, Mr. Video Commenter, aren’t we self-interested!
Check out the demo video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IXC5A1ZoV4
Why won’t this work on an iPhone? When entering the address in Safari, it automatically redirects to the pre-installed Maps program and that doesn’t have this new functionality!
Does this mean an upgrade is coming soon?!
I just upgraded my Windows Mobile client and it does not have this feature either. The screenshot shows Symbian version.
The site does say it is currently just for Crackberries and some Java phones.
“Street View is currently available for BlackBerry and some Java-enabled phones.”
@Len Mason: Noted, thanks!
Not included with download for Sprint Mogul (AKA PPC-6800). Just installed directly from Google mobile site and there are definitely no new features from the last time I installed an used it.
great feature!!!
So does anyone know if they will make this update available for the iPhone?
@Nicole
Tthe google maps app on the iPhone is embedded in the firmware, so it won’t be updated until the next firmware release at the earliest.
This product may be useful for seeing real streets and the ability to recognize them when you are on location, but I do not see its value to those who own Blackberries or Java script phones already. Most Blackberry users already have a navigation program installed in their phones with maps and voice navigation. Basically Google maps added a creepy new feature that has spread from desktops to mobile phones.
the video looks interesting
Here’s the new Googlemaps working on my Blackberry 8830: (don’t get jealous now, get a Blackberry not iPhone)
http://zedomax.com/blog/2008/09/17/mobile-googlemaps-now-includes-street-view/
It is good to see that LBS services will eventually become huge because of such initiative.
This does seem to be a great advancement, however the fact that it does not work on the Iphone yet is less than satisfactory. Hopefully soon there will be an update for the phone since it does already access google maps. But at the same time, I find google maps to be somewhat intrusive in that anyone has the ability to see my home and personal space. Where is the line between the right to privacy and public’s right to knowledge?
I am so excited about this new feature! I have GPS on my blackberry, but it is often difficult to figure out directions unless you have the exact location of where you are going and I think the walking directions addition will be such a great help! Finally a cool new feature for blackberries (and one that the iPhone doesn’t have)!
Google will Take over the world with Their Goodness….
Doesn’t work on the Instinct either… it seems pretty cool though. But we have a great navigation system already.
What I want to know is when they will enable MyMaps support for mobile devices. That’s way more useful to me on a mobile device that street view. If I’m already on the street, why do i need to look at a small image of it on my phone?
Blackberry and Java only for now.