Google Maps alternatives

**prakash99** · 09-08-2010, 07:09 PM

So it seems Google Maps is locked out of Fascinate. (I hate you for that, Big Red Monster!!!). I read elsewhere on androidcentral that it is available for download from the Market but does not run. So what gives?

Anyways, until we can root the device, is there any other free navigation apps that can serve as an alternative for Google Maps? I don't like VZ Navigator.

**Phil Nickinson** · 09-08-2010, 07:10 PM

Bing Maps is on there. It works fine.

**namebrandon** · 09-08-2010, 07:11 PM

Eh, I just read that. Not sure I buy it. Guess we'll see tomorrow.

Might be trying that one-click root pretty quickly if that's the case.

**namebrandon** · 09-08-2010, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

Bing Maps is on there. It works fine.

Yeah, but Bing Maps doesn't have multi-touch. Granted, it's a small point, but if you're used to it, it will be rather annoying. Might as well just go use maps.google.com.

**prakash99** · 09-08-2010, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

Bing Maps is on there. It works fine.

But does Bing Maps have turn-by-turn navigation with voice prompts?

**Cory Streater** · 09-08-2010, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

Bing Maps is on there. It works fine.

Does it show up in the Market when you search for it? Also does Google Navigation show up?

Originally Posted by prakash99

But does Bing Maps have turn-by-turn navigation with voice prompts?

Nope.

**wtherrell** · 09-08-2010, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by prakash99

But does Bing Maps have turn-by-turn navigation with voice prompts?

Guess you have to subscribe to VZ Navigator for that. They used to have a 1 or 2 day rate in addition to the monthly charge. Don't know if they still do. But I'm not about to pay for something every other carrier allows for free.

**prakash99** · 09-08-2010, 07:42 PM

I think I will have to wait till I can root it.

**ellisz** · 09-08-2010, 07:43 PM

So you cannot use Google maps with navigation on the Fascinate? I thought you could?

**Cory Streater** · 09-08-2010, 07:44 PM

I own CoPilot for Android. It's not bad, but I still prefer Google Maps.

**maverick96** · 09-08-2010, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

Bing Maps is on there. It works fine.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....LMFAO.....

**derichio02** · 09-08-2010, 09:41 PM

I thought google maps from the market worked too?

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

**namebrandon** · 09-08-2010, 09:51 PM

Nope. Apparently it can be downloaded, but it won't launch.

**Phil Nickinson** · 09-08-2010, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by derichio02

I thought google maps from the market worked too?

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

It does NOT work. Installs, but crashes on launch.

**RedMage** · 09-08-2010, 10:00 PM

Google Navigation comes with the phone, You need to download Google Maps. The widget for Google search is gone, but Google's Voice Search is still there. Just make a shortcut for Voice Search and make Google Maps your primary map. It works for now until they root the phone and get rid off all the "bloatware" so we all can have our precious google search widget. And on the side note... VZ Nav trumps Google Nav... But I still wouldn't pay for the added service which makes Google Nav perfect. =)

**badmf222** · 09-08-2010, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

It does NOT work. Installs, but crashes on launch.

At this point it's laughable what Verizon has done with the entire array of Google integration on this phone. Everything broken, disabled, hidden or blocked in favor of Microsoft and Bing. I could almost smell a class action lawsuit against Verizon, if the average consumer actually cared or understood what Verizon has done. I guess once I get this phone in a day or so I will take the package still neatly sealed and exchange it for a Droid Incredible and pay the restocking fee. I just don't think this phone seems to be worth the hassles and headaches. Am I wrong on this one Phil?

**sprke81** · 09-08-2010, 10:05 PM

I can't have google maps on this thing???? You have got to be kidding me.. this is wayyy worse then the search thing. I use maps daily. I'll find out for sure tomorrow and if it don't work I'm back on the Incredible. Unbelievable.

**ellisz** · 09-08-2010, 10:15 PM

Wow. I have not purchased it yet but I don't know what to think now. The search problem was no big deal but no google maps/navigation. I am not sure it is worth the trouble.

Can root fix this too?

**Cory Streater** · 09-08-2010, 10:15 PM

Check out the post I just stickied. Hopefully it will clear up some of this confusion.

**prakash99** · 09-08-2010, 10:29 PM

Whether you get this phone or go for the droids, rumor has it that vzw is going to push Bing on their entire Droid line as well. So we might as well get prepared to find ways to trump this Bing thing. ....or just say goodbye to Verizon.

**ellisz** · 09-08-2010, 10:36 PM

I have a D1 and love it but I don't want to upgrade and lose functionality

I am rooted and have the Sapphire ROM so I am not opposed to tweaking but this is getting crazy.

**dsignori** · 09-08-2010, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by prakash99

... rumor has it that vzw is going to push Bing on their entire Droid line as well. ...

I do not believe that rumor to be true at all ..

**prakash99** · 09-08-2010, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by dsignori

I do not believe that rumor to be true at all ..

I hope not. But they did that to blackberry. ...but again blackberry is no android.

**wtherrell** · 11-10-2010, 01:04 PM

OK, Google Nav. Got the GPS to lock ok now. Nav volume is fixed. So why am I still looking for an alternative?
I find Google Maps and Nav to be very unreliable. It frequently has me making wrong turns the opposite of the way I need to go. Addresses are often way, way off--google maps showing them as much as a half mile from the real location. By contrast, my Magellan PND is almost never wrong about an address or location. (Though sometimes the routings are inexplicably puzzling). So even though I like Google Nav's visual interface, turn by turns, and spoken street names, I find I just cannot trust it to get me where I need to go.
I am now 22 hours into a download of USA map from CoPilot to my phone (Could not find my free map to download from CoPilot Central Account on PC) via WiFi and wonder if the map will be out of date when I finally get it downloaded. Besides, I need my phone back.
What else is out there? My favorite was Garmin Mobile XT that I had on my WinMo phone, but I don't think they have an android product out.
So, what else is out there?