Windows Mobile Gets Transit Directions with Google Maps 2.2

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.google.com/mobile/default/maps/index.html' target='_blank'>http://www.google.com/mobile/defaul...maps/index.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"A few weeks ago we released Google Maps for mobile with Transit directions for BlackBerry and Java-based handsets. Now, with the release of version 2.2 of the application for Symbian S60 (3rd edition or later) and Windows Mobile (2005 or later), we're happy to say that Transit directions will be available to a bunch more smartphone users around the world."</em></p><p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZAUunR91VzI&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZAUunR91VzI&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p><p>Google Maps 2.2 is now available for Windows Mobile. It adds Transit directions <a href="http://www.google.com/transit" target="_blank">for over 50 worldwide cities/regions</a>, star ratings for businesses, faster search, and user-generated content. Simply point your mobile browser to <a href="http://google.com/gmm" target="_blank">google.com/gmm</a> to download.</p>

[rzanology]

as much as it pains me...im going to give the medal to google maps. The one thing they have over live search is the ability to pin point your location (even though its 1700 meters with in) as soon as you launch the app...or by command (hit go to the menu and do it.)

this one feature pulls gmaps ahead...i often found it annoying to keep trying to figure out what zip code i'm currently in, just to find something around me. one could argue why not just use the gps....but gps on the phone takes a good 20 seconds - 2 minutes (depending on what phone...what radio is on your phone...what rom...cooked or shipped....ect.) So the gps thing is out the door.

if microsoft cant get this trianglultion thing to work...then live search is my champion once again!

[kanzlr]

very nice. they even included Austria, although only the trains. No Bus, subway or tramway. But maybe this will be offered later on.

Still, a valuable addition.

EDIT: After trying a few more queries, i have to correct myself. For the routes i queried, it includes every public transportation line thats suitable. now this is great, really!

[acharn]

The big question deciding between Live Search and Google Maps is, do you want voice recognition (part of Live, great for when you are driving) or estimated map coordinates (part of Google).

A toss up, because both have their advantages. Of course in my real world experiments, I'd rather have a locator service, from Google, than voice recognition. It doesn't help to tell a phone where you want to go if you don't know where you are in the first place.

Of course, I recommend having both on your handset as it really depends on your specific requirements. I wish one, or the other, or both, would combine these two features.