Google is now making its turn-by-turn navigation system available to users of smartphones running Android 1.6, an older version of the open source operating system that’s in a lot more smartphones than version 2.0, which got the nav capability last month in connection with the release of the Droid.

Google  has rolled out a new version of its free Google Maps Navigation application that’s compatible with smartphones running the Android 1.6 operating system, such as T-Mobile’s myTouch 3G and its G1. When the app was introduced last month in beta, it could only be used by smartphones running Android 2.0, the latest version of the OS, such as Verizon’s Droid.

Google Maps Navigation is an Internet-connected GPS system with voice guidance and automatic rerouting. Users enter a destination, and the app then delivers a map, business info, traffic data, and satellite and street view imagery along the route. Its key feature, however, is the ability to provide turn-by-turn voice directions similar to navigation systems such as TomTom that must be purchased.

Google pushed the 2.0 version out the door first, in time for the Droid’s debut, likely at Verizon Wireless’ urging, Allen Nogee, principal analyst at In-Stat, told LinuxInsider.

“Now they are doubling back to offer it to other phones,” he said.

via technewsworld.com