Google has made an impressive update to Google Maps for mobile, the service now shows live traffic information in more than 30 metro areas of the US. Google Maps for mobile is a free Java application that works on most phones currently sold in the US. It was introduced almost a year ago and has not experienced a significant update until this point.
To view current traffic conditions in one of the supported markets, users just need to select 'show traffic' from the menu. Roads will be highlighted in red, yellow or green overlays to show the current conditions. Driving directions will now show expected drive time and current traffic congestion.
Another new feature in the update is the ability to save frequent locations for future use. To download Google Maps for mobile, point your phone's browser to http://www.google.com/gmm. The application is free, but data charges from your carrier apply.
About month or so ago I`ve read about their iam for future. One of the main priorities was a mobile market. This new Maps for mobile just proof it.
Yep, Google is aware that mobile is a big market. I have heard the traffic feature will come to the desktop version of Maps, but it's cool that it was launched with mobile first.
Google's CEO believes that mobile searches will eclipse desktop searches in the not too distant future. The reason being is everyone has their phone all the time, you're not always at the computer. Add in the huge number of people in emerging markets that don't have a PC at home and mobile search looks like a big market.
Wow. this feature is great on my nokia 6131 in LA and Ventura. In fact, to my surprise, google has speeds on freeways that other services don't cover, such as the 23 freeway in Thousand Oaks.
I've been a subscriber to sigalert.com for about a year, for the purpose of accessing real-time traffic speeds from my phone, but after using the new google maps, i may cancel.
Google didn't mention where they are getting the traffic data from... Or list all the markets that have it. This is also not a feature of the desktop Maps product, which is interesting. Google hasn't done much "mobile only" stuff in the past. About time!