Google Maps Navigation for Android 2.0 handsets announced

Great news! Google has announced the next step for Google Maps for mobile: Google Maps Navigation (Beta) for Android 2.0 devices. The first phone to have Google Maps Navigation and Android 2.0 is the Droid from Verizon. Google Maps Navigation is initially available in the United States. And like other Google Maps features, Navigation is free.

This new feature comes with everything you'd expect to find in a GPS navigation system, like 3D views, turn-by-turn voice guidance and automatic rerouting. But unlike most navigation systems, Google Maps Navigation was built from the ground up to take advantage of your phone's Internet connection.

Seven features of Google Maps Navigation:
+ Your phone automatically gets the most up-to-date maps and business listings from Google Maps
+ Search in plain English
+ Search by voice
+ Traffic view. Google Maps Navigation gets live traffic data over the Internet.
+ Search along route. You can search for a specific business by name or by type, or you can turn on popular layers, such as gas stations, restaurants or parking.
+ Satellite view. Google Maps Navigation uses the same satellite imagery as Google Maps on the desktop to help you get to your destination.
+ Street View