Finally! Google Maps will be available offline....soon

[Bambino]

This has been way too long in coming, but will be very welcome when it happens. http://techcrunch.com/2015/05/28/google-brings-turn-by-turn-directions-to-offline-maps/

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
after being used to apple maps I was quite surprised that google maps wasn't offline, in rural norfolk where there isn't a signal or a good enough signal in the places you really need maps its going to be very useful.

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I think it's always had the facility to use it offline, it's just the additional functionality of having "turn by turn" directions, which of course is the whole point of having a sat nav (as opposed to just reading a prepared route). I'm not sure, but I don't think Apple have introduced that feature just yet, but I'm going to have a play with Maps, and see what I can find out.

[Anonymous]

In fact, reading this extract from the linked article:

"Google announced that Maps will soon provide turn-by-turn navigation for routes saved for offline use (or when you completely lose your connection in the middle of nowhere)."

I appreciate how the GPS technology is working there, but it's still an impressive development.

[jonsie]

It's great that this will be available off  line and along with Here, Waze and the likes the paid apps will be put out of business.

Just a few good points however about Co pilot which I've used for 3 years. It's constantly updated, you can have it on multiple devices and you can even give it to family and friends if you wish. Syncs across all devices for favourite routes with speed cameras updated weekly. All at a cost of £19.99 compared to purchasing a sat navigation at around a hundred pounds.

As it's a paid app I will obviously continue to use it until one of the freebies can better it.

[Bambino]

I'm sure it's a good app @jonsie It would have to be if they're charging for it. Is that £19.99 for maps all over the world or just for the UK?

@Anonymous I don't know why you think this is a major development? As I've said, I've used my off-line app with turn by turn navigation for the last five years. As far as I can see, Google is just playing catch-up. That's why I wrote Finally! in the subject of the thread.:smileywink:

[jonsie]

Just Europe . ...but to be honest when I bought it the sat navigation had just been tealeafed from the car and it was the best turn-by-turn out there. Cheapest option for a decent and trustworthy mobile sat nav at the time.

Obviously the others are catching up now and copilot will need either a free or much cheaper app.

[Bambino]

Yes if Google is now going to offer turn by turn offline navigation for free I don't see how any paid-for app will be able to compete.

[Anonymous]

They'll either go for free or stop updating the app

[jonsie]

I have used Google previously just to compare. Whilst it was adequate it wasn't a patch on copilot and I was unlimited data at the time so there was no issue with usage. 

I put a destination into both phones,  one using copilot and one Google maps. There was a vast difference and I'm not trying to big up copilot because I had paid for it but the free apps really need to improve in my opinion. 

[Anonymous]

They're free for a reason

A quick fix to help & don't have all the features that you would normally get on a sat nav plus I bet the free ones don't update the maps at all or frequently

[jonsie]

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@Anonymous wrote:
They'll either go for free or stop updating the app

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They can't stop updating, people have paid money. ...