UK owners of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 awoke to a special present from Google this morning. The company has made available its turn-by-turn Google Maps Navigation (with voice directions) application to the UK from today. Up until now it has only been available in the United States, so today’s release will hopefully see Google Maps Navigation release across other European regions shortly too.
Whilst initially only for Android 2.0+ devices, Google has also made Navigation available to those with Android 1.6 smartphones too. I can confirm that the UK Xperia X10 works right now, therefore no need to wait for the big update. To get it make sure you’re running the latest 4.1.1 Beta, if you can’t see it, restart the handset. Check it out now.
20 responses to “Google Maps Navigation hits UK Xperia X10’s”
this isn’t what we need android 2.2 because 1.6 lags as hell and im going crazy
I actually discovered it last night randomly which I thought was weird as only the US had it. and then I got really excited. I wish it could navigate in street view too. that would be awesome. But it works well enough with my X10. No real problems.
how do you access street view in this.. ?
Hi Jack. I have no idea. I think google are still working on it for Android UK. I heard you could access street view in the US but as it was just only released in the UK, I think it might take sometime or maybe a little time for google to implement it onto the UK Google Maps. I can’t wait, that will be just awesome !
Gonna sound daft here but when you say restart do you mean doing a factory reset or just turning it off and back on again?
@Richard – A simple turn on/off should do the trick!
its not out in canada, well i couldnt get it to work, any ideas on how to make it work ?
How do you access the turn by turn voice navigation in google maps? I’ve done the turn off and back on but it’s not there? Help!! Oh, is it free?
@ Richard Bannister
Google maps uses gps, a-gps (optional) and data whether wifi or 3g, so unless you have a data plan, it’s not free. You see the thing is, You don’t have to download maps for Google maps, it accesses the internet to get them as you go or search for a place. Accessing Google maps is simple. Find a location you want to navigate to. Go to find or search, put in an address and then click on the address, it will show u on the map and a little box will pop up over the location on the map, click that box and it will give u options such as navigation which is the second one out of four, it has a little arrow symbol on it, and the fourth being street view etc. just click on the navigation and it’ll start google navigation. let me know if it works for you
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Turn-by-turn is free (assuming you have a data contract). Make sure you are running Google Maps version 4.1.1.
If you’re not (and the on/off trick isn’t working) try installing Google Maps again from the Android market.
Thanks for th excellent reply Iglesias.
I must say that I initially overreacted to the fact that X10 is on 1.6 . I had tried to re-install all my normal apps I was using on the G1 and couldn’t find some of them, then assume the problem was due to the old OS on the X10… but after a few days the apps were available again and so was able to install everything. I have zero problem with the X10 now. And I hear 2.1 is not without it little bugs anyway. Happy to wait a bit for 2.1 on X10…. but not for ever! I hear it will be ready by end of June.
Excellent is my middle name 😀
@ Luc. I think there was just an issue with the market for a day or 2. I was having the same problem. About 1.6 and 2.1. There are a few main advantages to having 2.1. Firstly 1.6 does not support flash. and having 2.1 will give the X10 16m colours. So I can wait for a bit too but not too long. And after I debranded my X10 with the latest firmware. I’ve had no issues. Infact, it’s working at it’s best. 🙂
@ Inglesias, it worked, with full voice prompts too. It even popped up with a streetview photo of the address I was driving to when I arrived which was a nice touch. Biggest drawback I can see is using it outside of the country the phone was bought in due to high roaming data charges?
Can anyone confirm whether my theory about using the google maps sat nav outside of the country of origin is correct? I’m driving to The Netherlands on Friday and would quite like to test it out if possible. Obviously if I would run up a small fortune whilst roaming I won’t. Any ideas/opinions greatly appreciated, cheers.
Hi, I’m new to the Sony Xperia X10, forgive my complete ignorance but how do I get hold of this google maps /sat nav application?
My phone only seems to have the subscription based Wisepilot.
A novice description would be very help.
Thanks and regards
davieG,
Just go to the market and download the latest google maps app. It’ll install navigation too.
Hi guys,
I’m not on any contract plan with my x10 it’s just Pay as u go…so for me to use the maps without costing a fortune, is there any way to just download maps???
Thanks for any replies
hi guys
can anyone help me the voice on my google maps dont work anymore
on my x10 pro
it did work fine then just packed up i’ve been looking for agers
how to try and make it work again but come up with nothing
its so annoying when i’m trying to drive and unsafe keep trying to look
instead of it talking to me