Google Maps Walking Directions Now Live
Looks like Google has released walking directions in beta for Google Maps:
154 S Park St, San Francisco, CA 94107 to 542 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94107 - Google Maps, originally uploaded by Stowe Boyd.
This is a godsend for pedestrians, since driving directions can be wildly off.
I wrote earlier in the year about Nokia's Maps 2.0, available on s60 phones, like my n82, which has a similar support for walking:
So, I need Google Maps on my mobile, integrated with GPS, obviously, if it is going to compete with Nokia.
[Update: Because of Jamais' comment below, where he points out that Google Maps already runs on his n82 integrated with the GPS there, I reinstalled Google Maps on my n82: no walking option yet!
In the following image you can see the convoluted path they propose for me to walk home, because the app thinks I am a car.
]
[via Search Engine Land]
Cool--
The next step would be integrating public transit, like hopstop.
Posted by: Ross | July 22, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Hmm, the GoogleMap app works fine with GPS integration on my N82...
Posted by: Jamais Cascio | July 22, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Jamais - I am reinstalling to see if the 'walking' beta is available on the mobile, which is what I meant.
Posted by: Stowe Boyd | July 22, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Interesting Stowe. Do you know if this could/ is going to cope with a google earth mash-up - walking directions for hikers and mountaineers?
Posted by: david cushman | July 22, 2008 at 02:30 PM
Ah, sorry. Misunderstood.
Still, the GPS integration is pretty seamless -- and often works better than with the Nokia Maps app.
Posted by: Jamais Cascio | July 22, 2008 at 03:10 PM
Hey Stowe! Thanks for letting us know here =) This is awesome for us, considering San Francisco is usually ranked in the top 10 walking cities. I walk a lot - including from my place in Nob Hill to/from work at SlideShare in SOMA. We're having the Ruby SF Meetup at SlideShare tomorrow 6:30p if you're interested ...beer, pizza and more free shirts too, like last time =) Keep in touch, and keep twittering! It's a good reminder for me to check your blog! Cheers, Marissa
Posted by: Marissa Louie | July 22, 2008 at 08:15 PM