Use Google Maps as Sat Nav on Android 2.0

Google have been showcasing what the Google Maps application is capable of on the Android operating system – but it seems loads of people are having problems locating the files, installing them and getting them to work as intended.
It’s taken me a bit of investigating and poking around the net but I have now successfully managed to get Google Maps installed and up and running complete with voice navigation and street view.
So here is the method on how I got Google Maps to work with voice control, street view and to work as a Sat Nav application.
 

UNINSTALL PREVIOUS APPS
I only got ALL the functions fully working by completely uninstalling all old versions of Google Maps and also another ‘Brut’ map application I had aswell to avoid any further conflicts further down the line.
 

DOWNLOAD GOOGLE MAPS
Firstly download the latest version of Google Maps (Currently 4.1.1)from the Android App Store and install.
New features include My Location, Directions, Traffic, Street View, Latitude, Layers, Navigation (beta), Search by voice.
 
 
DOWNLOAD GOOGLE VOICE SEARCH
A lot of Android phones do not already have the Voice Search app installed and it isn’t that easy to locate either within the Android Market so pop the following URL in your browser and download the apk file directly and install from the following location:-

http://voicesearch.googlecode.com/files/VoiceSearch_2.1.apk

 

INSTALLATION
Once all downloaded – run Google Maps and click Menu and select the Search option.
This will now bring up a top of the screen search box but now complete with a microphone graphic. Click the graphic to activate the Voice Recognition app and speak your destination by starting with the phrase, “Navigate to……Cardiff Castle” (for example.)
Click to confirm destination and Google Maps will show you your route. A very basic Microsoft voice will speak the directions to you but im sure many more voices will become available real soon.
Whilst in navigation mode you can access Google Street View by pressing the small street view graphic(its a small stick man!) and your Google Map will transform itself into a fully-rendered 3-D navigation system.

So by following these 3 simple steps you can enjoy a free Satellite Navigation system on your Android mobile phone. Obviously you will need to use the app with the GPS switched on! Enjoy. This page may be updated again real soon.

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