To be able to use Google maps on their android phones, the users would need access to 2G/3G services for downloading the maps on the move. But now Google has announced that they will soon upgrade the Maps services by allowing android users to download the maps.
All that the user would need to do is to select the area on the map using their handset and download the maps on the phone storage either via 3G/2G or Wi-Fi. These offline maps can then be access any time without the need of a net connection.
There are two advantages the first is that the user is saving bandwidth. Once they download the map they don’t need to access it again via mobile internet. The other advantage is that in some areas where 3G/2G is not accessible users can still navigate using GPS with offline maps. In fact this offline facility is already available on Nokia handsets.
Google is also working on 3D metropolitan maps which will show the cities in 3D. They have already started capturing the data using planes. This new feature will initially be launched in some selected cities, well not in India for now.
With the download option on Google Maps could mean more trouble for companies like MapmyIndia who are providing downloadable maps for a price.
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