I have had my new Droid for a few weeks now since its launch.  I love it!!!  I will go into the reasons why in another blog. Today I will concentrate on one feature in Android 2 that can and will change the whole GPS navigation industry – Google Maps with Navigation.

Although this is still in beta stage I have had no problems with it and use it daily.

The main threat to the manufacturers?  It is FREE!  Yes Free!  I am not aware of any plans to charge for this service or the features built in (such as traffic holdup’s ahead).  So if it is free on my phone, with a nice clear touch screen, using Google Maps (which are updated continuously) with traffic updates, then why should I pay for an in-car system?  So how will Garmin, Tom-Tom and the others compete?

Sure, at the moment it is only on the Droid, but there will be more in the very near future and on more than one network.  Gartner Group (and I apologize for the lack of link) project that the Android OS will be the largest smartphone OS by the end of 2012, so there will be a lot of these free GPS navigation systems out there – so why will people buy the traditional systems.

For those wondering why Verizon would allow a free navigation system on their phones when they charge $9.99 per month for their own VZ Navigator – I suspect it is because to have a Droid (or most smartphones with email or data built in) you have to have one of their data plans which start at $29.99 per month.

I have to say that having used both a VZ Navigator and a Garmin unit, the Droid beats them both!  The Garmin has a nice size screen, but so does the Droid and just as clear.  The advantage to the Droid is that the traffic notices work and the maps are much better (for those of you who use Google maps on your PC you know how well they work).  I have been trialling the navigation feature every day around the city and have to admit it picks the best routes – even when I deviate on purpose.  Another thing (unlike the VZ Navigator) it does not give up when you deviate from it’s route more than 3 times (the VZ Navigator used to sulk and turn off because you wouldn’t listen to it).

The other major advantage to the Droid is that it has Voice Search.  This is not limited to navigation but is a feature that is not to be dismissed lightly.  Although it does take some time to get used to speaking clearly so it understands you.  I also have found it does not like addresses (E.g. 1234 Somewhere St.) as much as it likes other features (e.g. Somewhere St. or DMV).  But it is still in beta and I hope to see some improvements over time.

When you arrive at your destination it switches to the Google Maps Street View (if it has one) which not only is a great feature but also helps if you were unsure of a new destination as you can double check you are at the correct address.

It is early days yet and I have had only one update, but that update did reflect the changes to the new road layout in the area.

So as well as loving my Droid, I really love the free navigation.