<![CDATA[Gizmodo: Directions]]> http://cache.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/gizmodo.com.png <![CDATA[Gizmodo: Directions]]> http://gizmodo.com/tag/directions http://gizmodo.com/tag/directions <![CDATA[ YourPND Lets You Record Your Own GPS Nagging ]]> If you don't get enough nagging at home, now you can record your wife's voice on the YourPND website, and in just a few minutes, for $10 you can download files that you can transfer to your TomTom GPS navigation system, giving you the pleasure of having her yelling at you for getting lost wherever you go. Or hey, get your dog to bark at you when you get lost; that would be even better. Even though it only works with TomTom models so far, compatibility with Garmin, MyGuide and Mio GPS devices is forthcoming. [Navigadget]

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Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:15:00 EST Charlie White http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=336342&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ AAA Announces GPS-Enabled Turn by Turn Direction Software For Mobiles ]]> aaa.pngThe trusted name in changing a busted tire so you won't have to, AAA is releasing AAA Mobile, a software suite for mobile phones that allows turn-by-turn GPS directions on a pay-for-use basis. The cost will be $9.99 a month, and will work on the phones listed after the jump.

The benefits of using AAA is that you can have access to their Diamond Ratings (hotels, restaurants) and find points of interest in their TourBook guide. There's even options for finding AAA-approved auto repair facilities, which is useful if you're taking a cross country trip in that beater you own.

Sprint only:

Samsung M500, Samsung M510, Sanyo SCP-7050, Sanyo M1, Sanyo SCP-8400, Sanyo MM-9000, Sanyo SCP-3200 and LG 550 (Fusic).

[AAA via Crunchgear]

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Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:30:34 EDT Jason Chen http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=289849&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ MapQuest's Send to Cell Makes Mobile Mapping Slightly More Convenient ]]> MapQuest's newest feature in their quest to maintian what's left of the public mindshare that Yahoo, Microsoft Live, and Google Maps haven't already eaten away is called "Send to Cell." You first find map a location or set of driving directions on MapQuest, then click the "Send to Cell" button and type in your phone number, and the correct link/details will get sent to your mobile. If you've got MapQuest's java app installed, the embedded link in the SMS will open up the corresponding view in your mobile. If not, you're sent to an HTML page.

In this day and age of mobile Google Maps and Windows Live Maps already on smartphones and dumbphones, only a few people would really need to plan out their directions beforehand and send them to their cellphones. One of which could be our buddy, who seems to think that just because we're sitting in front of a computer all day makes us their personal map guide.

MapQuest

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Mon, 26 Mar 2007 10:00:29 EDT Jason Chen http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=247003&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Windows Live Search For Mobile vs. Google Maps Mobile ]]> wlshome.pngMicrosoft's Windows Live Search for Mobiles just went live last night, and we took it for a spin, comparing it to Google Maps for Mobile, which has traffic, maps local business searches and directions as well.

Windows Live Search runs on both J2ME (Java) phones and on Windows Mobile phones, whereas Google Maps only works on J2ME phones.

So which is better? Without a doubt, Microsoft's was the winner.

This matchup could have been a bit uneven. We were running WLS on a Windows Mobile phone, seeing as the Windows Live Search had a "native-app" feel, because it was a native app. Google Maps on Java ran like Java always does. Painfully.

googlemaps.png
In terms of maps, both apps gave you streets as well as "aerial" view, which is a satellite combined with street names. However, WLS's looked smoother, scrolled faster, and zoomed in and out much better. Google's (above) was, well, sluggish.

wlstraffic.pngTraffic was nicely painted green, red, or yellow, and looked clear even on aerial view. You're going to want to use regular map view unless you really like trying to find your own house.

wlsdirections.pngA nice touch with WLS was the turn by turn driving directions, which are usable if you're a passenger, but probably tricky to finagle if you're the driver. Google Maps also has driving directions, but on the whole, the buggy Java implementation renders it too iffy to use while driving.

wlsbusiness.png
Local Business Search in WLS also provided interesting results, with two hits when we searched for ballroom dancing in SF. Google does have a Find Business option, but would just hang the app half the time. When it did come with a ballroom dancing result, the results were presented one at a time instead of on a list, which then in turn would sometimes hang the app. Every time it hangs, a full reboot is in order. We blame Java.

If you're using a Windows Mobile phone, we'd definitely recommend you try out Windows Live Search. The Java-based Google Maps is just too buggy and slow, not to mention clunky, to be useful to us.


Update: Google Maps does have local business and directions. We updated the comparison to reflect that. Thanks to rg and insomnic for pointing out our oversight.

Product Page [Windows Live Search (Visit on your phone)]

Google Maps Mobile [Google]

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Thu, 30 Nov 2006 18:35:56 EST Jason Chen http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=218467&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Virtual Earth Mobile For Windows Mobile PDA/Smartphones Gets You Maps On The Go ]]> Powered by Windows Live Local, Windows Earth Mobile lets you get maps on your WM5 devices. Normally, Google Maps and the like don't work very well with pocket IE or Opera Mobile, but using this, you can see regular street views, satellite views, or a combination of the two. You can even use this for driving directions after setting two way-points as your start and finish.

Personally I have a GPS nav system in my car, but when I'm riding in anyone else's car, it's nice to know I can access maps and directions from my phone. Works on WM5 and Windows Mobile 2003.

More screenshots after the jump.

Virtual Earth Mobile [via Virtual Earth via jkOnTheRun]

vem1.gifvem3.gifvem4.gifvem5.gifvem6.gif

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Tue, 05 Sep 2006 16:28:35 EDT Jason Chen http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=198578&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Google Offers Traffic Maps for Mobile ]]> googlemobile.jpgAs an avid Google mobile fan (Google SMS anyone?) I am happy to announce the availability of Google Traffic Maps for Mobile. This service provides detailed directions, integrated search results, easily movable maps, satellite imagery and real-time traffic for 30 major cities on your cellphone.

Google Maps for Mobile is mostly free. It does require java browser support, so some kind of data plan will likely be required by carriers. This is an extremely good alternative to those who want some GPS goodness but don't want to drop a G on a GPS unit for their vehicle. To access this service, simply point your cellphone browser to www.google.com/gmm.

Google Maps for Mobile Beta [Via Mobiledia]

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Tue, 25 Jul 2006 11:43:28 EDT Travis Hudson http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=189660&view=rss&microfeed=true