Google has said at CES that they plan to work with at least one car maker to try and work Google Earth as an in-car navigation system. Frank over at Google Earth has pretty much said all the reasons why it won’t be happening soon if at all. While I’m sure they could figure out a way to navigate easily with a touch screen rather than a mouse, but that isn’t the biggest problem as I see it. Anyone who has a car with a navigation system knows that the maps they generate are very simple and this is by design. Trying to view a map while traveling 60 MPH is hard enough without having satellite images in the background. These maps are designed to be viewed with a quick glance and I just don’t see how that would be possible with satellite imagery. Of course Google Earth could serve up Google Maps (though they would have to be simplified for ease of use in a car), but then why bother with Google Earth?
What I expect to happen with the future of Navigation is for companies such as XM Radio and Sirius to offer Navigation as part of their service. My wife’s Acura already has both XM Radio and Navigation, so why not combine them? Stream the maps down via their satellites. XM already has begun to roll out such a product (though it isn’t a stand alone product, yet) and since both Sirius and XM have contracts with car manufacturers already, they have a leg up on any companies such as Google, Yahoo and Micosoft who would like to break into that market.
The future of in-car navigation is in XM’s and Sirius’s hands so if GYM want to be part of it, they need to either partner up, or get out the checkbook and buy either one of them.
5 responses so far ↓
1
Mateusz Łoskot
// Jan 8, 2006 at 9:15 am
I wonder what bandwidth will be required to use GE in a very mobile way. I don’t have any knowledge how is the quality and speed of GSM-based Internet connection in USA and if there are any innovative services besides GPRS.
2
James Fee
// Jan 8, 2006 at 9:23 am
the 2.5G GSM network in the USA is way too slow for Google Earth. The 3G CDMA EV-DO network could probably do it without much trouble, but the coverage isn’t good enough outside of the large cities. In fact I think that is why Google Earth won’t work unless they hook up with either satellite radio company which I can only assume they have enough bandwidth as both have said they will offer video soon in cars.
Even if GSM or CDMA were real options, how could anyone possibly afford the costs for using Google Earth as $60 a month is WAY too high.
3
Mateusz Łoskot
// Jan 8, 2006 at 10:44 am
Thank you James for explanation. I also predict that mobile version of GE won’t take the mobile navigation market by storm
Besides, it’s still sounds very interesting and innovative.
4
Frank Taylor
// Jan 8, 2006 at 11:57 am
James, good prediction. Garmin has already been selling both the GPSMAP 396 and now the new Streetpilot 7200/7500 (http://www.garmin.com/products/sp7200/) which combine XM satellite with maps and navigation capabilities. They also have the ability to install this in their Aviation Garmin 1000 units.
The 396 allows radar weather, weather forecasts, etc. to be overlayed on the maps and is a great tool for aviation pilots already. I think it works for marine applications too.
By the way, if you read my article, I mentioned that Google Earth is already being used in cars. And, I said it IS quite possible to use both the Google Earth and Google Maps related technologies for embedded car applications. Also, the Google Maps stuff can be downloaded in mobile units (including the blackberry) today at http://www.google.com/glm/
5
James Fee
// Jan 8, 2006 at 4:00 pm
Oh I don’t doubt one can use Google Earth, I’m just not sure auto navigation is its best application.
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