1. Google already collects anonymous bits of information from mobile phones

It is no secret that Google collects data from your phone. They currently use this information to crowdsource the live traffic data on Google Maps.

Google specified which devices this affects over at ReadWriteWeb:

Google Maps products that include location services will make use of this information for traffic. This includes the downloadable Google Maps for Mobile product for mobile phones as well as the Google Maps application for Android phones. One exception is the maps functionality that Google provides for the iPhone – the iPhone does not provide any location data that is used for traffic crowdsourcing at this time.

Remember this screen?

2. Google is building their own map data

Everyone tried to debunk my original prediction by pointing out Google has a multi-year deal with Tele Atlas to use their map data. According to Forbes, Google ended that licensing agreement in early October, but will continue to use Tele Atlas for international maps.

Instead, Google will use data collected from their Street View cars and crowdsource the rest from mobile phones. This is a similar approach we have seen from Waze. Google has the clear advantage of pre-installation on most Android phones.

ReadWriteWeb was able to confirm that Google collects route data:

According to Dave Barth, the product manager for Google Maps, Google will “find the start and end points of every trip and permanently delete that data so that even Google ceases to have access to it.”

If you want more proof Google is using their own map data, just visit Google Maps and look in the bottom right corner.

Go to maps.google.com and check for yourself.

3. Google allows you to make map corrections

Waze issued a direct response on Google’s crowdsourcing efforts by claiming Google was only using passive sources for data collection, but things have changed. Google now allows you to make map corrections.

4. Turn-by-turn directions are available on the Verizon Motorola Droid which features Android 2.0

Verizon worked with Motorola and Google to include a navigation app with their Android phones that is powered by Google Maps.

A source with access to a Droid phone shared their experiences:

There’s an app on the Sholes called Navigation that does exactly that: GPS based turn by turn directions, using the Text to Speech library available in Android 1.6/2.0. It even does the tilted map view similar to most commercial GPS units. I think personally the neatest feature in it is that it ties into the Global Search functionality of the phone, so from the home screen, you can tap the search widget’s “speak” button, say “Directions to San Francisco” and it’ll load, calculate where you are, confirm you want “Directions from here to San Francisco”, and when you say “yes” it goes to it.

This feature was spotted on the Motorola site, before it was quickly taken down.

Verizon Droid users will have access to turn-by-turn directions.

5. Google will enter any market where they can sell ads

If anyone can monetize GPS navigation software, it is Google. The map data they are collecting could also open up new revenue streams as they compete directly with companies like Tele Atlas and Navteq.

Google has shown a willingness to jump into any business. They are rumored to be launching a music service this week and also offer their own Android phone in retail stores. Carriers control which software runs on their phones, but if Google bypasses the carrier, they can include whatever they like on the device.

Conclusion

If Google is allowing Verizon to use their maps data for spoken turn-by-turn directions, it is only a matter of time before we see a similar service on other Android devices. I was hoping we would see this navigation service coincide with the release of Android 2.0, but it appears Google is still hard at work on it. Look to 2010 for this service to begin appearing on mobile phones.

What features would you like to see included with Google’s GPS navigation software?

Let me share a little so you can see where I’m coming from with this review.  I freakin love my TomTom.  It has surpassed all the expectations I had when I first paid $99 for the thing over a year ago.  I’m required to travel over 50k miles a year and I use the thing almost every day.  Even when I travel out of town and I know where I am going, he still remains powered up and acts as a tool.  At the same time, it is just a basic GPS and I have been considering an upgrade.

When I purchased my T-Mobile G1, my sole reason for doing so was Android.  The GPS was an afterthought.  I failed to recognize the potential for an always on device.  After using TeleNav for only 3 days, I already see several must-have features for frequent GPS users.  It’s not all good news though and I will share some of my major gripes with the first comercial turn-by-turn software released for Android.

Performance

My TomTom has the feature of hooking up to my pc and getting the latest satellite positions which allow it to get a fix rather quickly.  It just works every time I turn it on.  My Android is connected to the tubes, it should know where the satellites are, but sadly this is often a task.  Most times, it takes me several minutes sitting in my car before it gets a fix.  Sometimes it doesn’t get a fix at all.  Other times, it loses the GPS fix in the middle of a trip.  I don’t know who is to blame for this, but I’m going with HTC.  Hopefully a new firmware could address these problems.

The other notable about performance is the frames per second.  My TomTom does maybe 1o-15fps and the animation is quite smooth.  I can see as I’m making a turn and it refreshes very quickly when I miss a turn.  TeleNav runs about 1fps which to me is my biggest complaint.  This can make certain turns confusing because the screen is so slow to refresh.  It is also slow to refresh after missing a turn.  Again, I don’t know what is the limiting factor but I would suspect the GPS receiver.  Winner = TomTom

Features

The TomTom One 3rd edition offers only the basics.  You can search some POIs, but their database is lacking.  I have no weather, traffic, or alert information.  There is no voice control as well.  I would often curse at my TomTom because his maps were old and wished it had Google Maps.  TeleNav on the HTC G1 has almost every feature available on high end GPS units.  Every time I have used the search for a business or address, it has found it.  I actually get traffic updates in my city.  The voice control has worked rather well for me.  The ETAs it gives are also perfect.  I’m still exploring all the features it has to offer.  Anything that is missing could likely be addressed in a future update.  The online syncing is a nice bonus as well with the ability to view your recent trips(wish they had stats for them though).  Winner = TeleNav

Ease of Use

The TomTom is a device most people can pick up and begin to use right away.  The big on screen keyboard is perfect for inputting text.  The display has all the needed information.  Any operation can be completed with a few taps.  TeleNav on the other hand is not designed very well for operating the device when it is mounted to your window.  You have to hold down buttons to record your voice.  The keyboard must be slid open to type an address out.  Most of the options require the use of the menu button which can be hard to press.

TeleNav could fix all this with a touch only mode.  Taps to the map could bring up the menu.  Voice recording should be done by timer or taps and not holding the talk button down.  An soft keyboard could be easily added.  Winner = TomTom

Pricing

TomTom has one option for purchase.  You buy the whole device then when new map packs are released you can purchase them for $45-55.  TeleNav allows up to 3 different plans.  You could pay for a single month for users who only travel several times a year.  For heavier users you can get the 1yr or the 4yr plan which is heavily discounted.  By moving your subscription from device to device over 4 years, you would own a future proof GPS solution.  Winner = TeleNav

So what is the better overall purchase?  Based mainly on pricing, TeleNav offers the best value for Android users.  Even though the software is not perfect and the G1 has its issues, there is room for improvement and the experience will improve with user feedback.  TeleNav has included the brilliant feature of allowing you to send feedback at any time during the program by voice or text.  I am eager to see how the next release goes.  I have no experience with TeleNav so I do not know their reputation for updates.  I hope they take advantage of their early release advantage because other players are going to enter this market.

Is there any hope for the G1 GPS receiver?  I’m not holding my breath.

p.s. its kinda funny writing a blog about a phone…