Download map data and save it on the phone.
Cell phones are being increasingly used for navigation assistance and Google Maps are used
extensively. Google Maps (formerly Google Local) is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free (for
non-commercial use), that powers many map-based services, including the Google
Maps website. It offers street maps, a route planner for traveling and an urban
business locator for numerous countries around the world. Just fyi, Google Maps
satellite images are not updated in real time; they are several months or years
old.
Google Map Navigation
for Android 2.0 is free and you can download it from https://market.android.com/
Features
provided in the application are:
- Search in plain English
- Search by voice
- Traffic view
- Search along route
- Satellite view
- Street View
- Car dock mode
In
the event of cellular network not available, you would not be able to use the Google
maps thus forced to be reliant on strangers for even small things such as
finding an ATM, coffee-shop in nearby locality etc.
The
good news is that Google has a solution for this situation (lack of wireless
network).
Google
Maps for Android offers an experimental Labs feature — Pre-cache Map Area,
which allows downloading map data and save it on the phone. This data can be
accessed and use when there is no network coverage.
Google keeps experimenting on the on the various features
and takes inputs from the users to improve their services to provide new
improvements. All the experimental features are present in Labs section of the
Maps and users who wish to try out this feature can enable them. Below is the step-by-step approach to pre-cache
Google Maps on Android Smartphone:
Step 1
Open
Google Maps app. Press “Menu” button, go to settings and Select the option “Labs”
Step 2
Select Pre-cache map area (3rd option from the top). This option will
enable your android device to load your Google Maps in the places where you
don’t have internet connection.
Step 3
Select respective area you wish to pre-cache on map
Step 4
Tap on the popped-up balloon and go to menu to choose pre-cache map area from the
details page.
Step 5
Download map data for the area you have selected.
By default, Google Maps app will download and pre-cache the map data for the area
you selected. Once done, the map will outline the pre-cached area which is
available even in offline mode.
Now you are good to go even without a cellular network in unknown places. Happy
travelling Guys
