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Google Maps Navigation has been introduced in Beta this week from Google, adding a nice turn-by-turn navigation feature for the existing Google Maps for mobile. It is currently available for US map and will only supported by the upcoming Android 2.0 Eclair. The Motorola Droid will be the first Android smartphone that uses the new Android 2.0. An optional in-car docking station is available for the Motorola Droid to use with the new GPS navigation user interface in landscape mode.

While the Google Maps Navigation service is free to use, bear in mind that you would need a constant data connection to retrieve the mapping data off from the Google server when you are using it.

[via Android Community]

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.

Here are seven features that are possible because Google Maps Navigation is connected to the Internet:

The most recent map and business data
When you use Google Maps Navigation, your phone automatically gets the most up-to-date maps and business listings from Google Maps — you never need to buy map upgrades or update your device. And this data is continuously improving, thanks to users who report maps issues and businesses who activate their listings with Google Local Business Center.

Search in plain English
Google Maps Navigation brings the speed, power and simplicity of Google search to your car. If you don’t know the address you’re looking for, don’t worry. Simply enter the name of a business, a landmark or just about anything into the search box, and Google will find it for you. Then press “Navigate”, and you’re on your way.

Search by voice
Typing on a phone can be difficult, especially in the car, so with Google Maps Navigation, you can say your destination instead. Hold down the search button to activate voice search, then tell your phone what you want to do (like “Navigate to Pike Place in Seattle”), and navigation will start automatically.

Traffic view
Google Maps Navigation gets live traffic data over the Internet. A traffic indicator light in the corner of the screen glows green, yellow or red, depending on the current traffic conditions along your route. If there’s a jam ahead of you, you’ll know. To get more details, tap the light to zoom out to an aerial view showing traffic speeds and incidents ahead. And if the traffic doesn’t look good, you can choose an alternate route.

Search along route
For those times when you’re already on the road and need to find a business, Google Maps Navigation searches along your route to give you results that won’t take you far from your path. 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. Turn on the satellite layer for a high-resolution, 3D view of your upcoming route. Besides looking cool, satellite view can help you make sense of complicated maneuvers.

Street View
If you want to know what your next turn looks like, double-tap the map to zoom into Street View, which shows the turn as you’ll see it, with your route overlaid. And since locating an address can sometimes be tricky, we’ll show you a picture of your destination as you approach the end of your route, so you’ll know exactly what to look for.

While the team is preparing for a in-depth review, check out Vincent’s first impressions and hands on photo gallery for the new Verizon DROID by Motorola here. The Motorola Droid will have 2 optional docking station, one of them allow you to charge your Motorola Droid with a useful info screen while the other in-car docking station will turn it into a nice GPS navigation device. Watch out for a full review from SlashGear soon.

We’ve just finished a sit-down session with Verizon, Motorola and Google to discuss the first Android 2.0 smartphone of the year, the Verizon DROID by Motorola, and this is certainly one very impressive smartphone. It’s far too early for our full review, but check out some live photos and first impressions after the cut.

[via slashgear]

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Having a hard time to recover your Ovi Store content after hard reset your phone? Nokia has made slight changes to its Ovi Store software client, enabling you to redownload your purchased or downloaded content again to your phone. While this is only apply to the same physical phone, it is still a welcome change to make content recovery easier and more convenient. (you will have to contact Nokia’s care if you change to a new mobile phone)

As the tutorial explains, if you use the Store through our mobile client application, you’ll be required to upgrade to the newest version on S60 devices—look for version 1.5(387) or higher—and on Series 40 devices—look for version 1.6.1 or higher—to take advantage of redownloading. The latest version of Ovi store for S60 devices is rolling out now while the Series 40 version will begin rolling out at the end of this week. If you receive a prompt to update your client, please accept it!

If you shop the Store through our mobile web site at store.ovi.com on your Nokia mobile browser, the feature is enabled today.

Check out a video that explain the new changes below

Click here to view the embedded video.