Google’s mobile blog has just recently announced the addition of current traffic information to their Android based Navigation service. The service will combine track records of highways and streets who are notorious for getting clogged up during certain hours when traffic is high. This combined with their up-to-date traffic info, published via google’s own servers connected to their Android Google Maps app.
No word on availability for the Asian continent, only Europe & the US have been stated to get heads-up traffic info. Japan and the rest of Asia possibly to follow in due time.
The Google map’s system coverage should avoid traffic bottlenecks by picking out smart side routes. Google says that their Navigation users will now drive around +-35 million miles on a daily basis, making them bypass any, if not all, nuisance on the road.
Roy Williams, writer on Google’s Mobile Blog, explained: “Before today, Navigation would choose whichever route was fastest, without taking current traffic conditions into account. It would also generate additional alternate directions, such as the shortest route or one that uses highways instead of side roads.
“Starting today, our routing algorithms will also apply our knowledge of current and historical traffic to select the fastest route from those alternates. That means that Navigation will automatically guide you along the best route given the current traffic conditions.”
Quite impressive to see such an advanced free navigation app hit the road. Android will most definitely get a big increase in both manufacturer take-up as customer pick-up if they continue to walk this line.
