"If you have a phone running Android 1.6, you can download an updated version of Google Maps from Android Market," Siliski said. "So if you're traveling this Thanksgiving, you'll be able to enjoy the benefits."

The Internet Advantage

Google Maps Navigation is an Internet-connected GPS system featuring 3-D map views, turn-by-turn voice guidance, and automatic rerouting capabilities similar to personal navigation devices. "But unlike most navigation systems, Google Maps Navigation was built from the ground up to take advantage of your phone's Internet connection," said software engineer Keith Ito.

One feature that differentiates the fledgling service from rival navigation offerings is its delivery of satellite views. Another comes from the ability it gives users to access online information about their destinations by either typing or saying the location's name.

"Typing on a phone can be difficult, especially in the car, so with Google Maps Navigation you can say your destination instead," Ito said.

Even if users don't know the exact address, they can simply enter the name of a business, a landmark or just about anything into the search box, and Google will find it. "And since locating an address can sometimes be tricky, we'll show you a picture of your destination as you approach the end of your route so you'll know exactly what to look for," Ito said.

Heading Home

Google's latest beta release includes a new Layers feature, which gives users the ability to overlay geographical information on the map, including transit lines and even Wikipedia articles about specific places, such as businesses and other landmarks along the route. "And this data is continuously improving, thanks to users who report maps issues and businesses who activate their listings with Google Local Business Center," Ito said.

Based on a process that Google calls "crowdsourcing," Google Maps Navigation employs data contributed by the handsets accessing the system. One goal of the new beta upgrade is to expand the service's user base, which should boost the accuracy of the traffic reports Google delivers.

Siliski cautions that some of the specialized features offered by Android 2.0 -- such as the ability to use the "navigate to" voice command -- are not available on handsets running Android 1.6. "However, you can still create a shortcut that will allow you to launch navigation and start getting directions to a specific place from your current location with just a single touch from your home screen," Siliski observed.

For example, users will be able to create a "Home" shortcut to quickly navigate home, no matter where they are. "Just use the Add menu item from the home screen, then choose Shortcuts, then Directions," Siliski explained.