SEM News: Google Maps Released For Windows Mobile

I headed to Google’s mobile site on my T-Mobile MDA over the weekend, and was presented with a new, non-Java version of Google Maps for Windows Mobile. Naturally, I was excited, but as with most of Google’s mobile offerings, it comes with its own issues, but is a much better product than those we’ve seen in the past. I’m going to run down the features and problems, comparing them with Microsoft’s Windows Live applet for Windows Mobile devices.

The new Google Maps application lets you view roadmaps and satellite views, but not a hybrid satellite/road map view (which Windows Live’s application does have). You can easilly zoom in and out with buttons right on screen (a convenience Windows Live does not have). Scrolling can be done by just dragging on the screen, or pressing the buttons on the phone, but zooming does not take advantage of the phone’s buttons. Zooming and scrolling involves waiting with a placeholder graphic as the images load (while Windows Live actively zooms, just updating image quality as things load).

Google Maps does not seem to have a way to remember my location (Windows Live does). Google Maps scrolls very smoothly, even with other applications loaded (Windows Live has problems with this). Google’s satellite images do not look as good at higher zooms, and their text does not look as good, and their traffic and directions graphics are not as clean, as what you find in the Windows Live product.

Google Maps does not run well over a cellular connection (Windows Live does). Both Google Maps and Windows Live feature traffic conditions, let you get directions. Google lets you use a GPS to find your location. Windows Live shows a route summary for your directions, letting you scroll through a direction list, and includes a better display while following directions on the map.

So, the verdict: Google’s product has a lot to like, with some great features (maps, traffic, directions, GPS). However, Microsoft’s product looks better, and is easier to use in several ways. It has the same features (except the GPS) and implements them in better ways. Still, Google’s product has a lot to offer, and can be real useful with a GPS, and since both are free, I recommend installing both and making your own conclusions. For now, I give Google a B- and Windows Live a B+, since neither is perfect.

Coverage:
JKOnTheRun
Official Google Blog

Awful blurry photos!

The loading arrows; you’ll be seeing a lot of these, especially on a cellular connection

Map view

Satellite maps view, with no hybrid satellite view that has streets and landmarks

Here it is all the way zoomed in. Forgive the low-quality, but what’s interesting is what you see on the same screen in Windows Live: The name of the big building (the Empire State Building) and the streets layed out, including street directions and street names.