Now Navigate and Check Traffic Data on Google Maps in India!

Voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation and live traffic updates are now available for Google Maps users in India, as posted by Darren Baker, Product Manager, Google Maps and Suren Ruhela, Senior Program Manager, Google Maps

"We're excited to announce that both of these features - one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing markets for online map services worldwide," explained David on the Official Google India Blog.

Google Maps Navigation (Beta) is free and accessible to any smart phone user running Android 2.2 or later, and live traffic information is visible on both the mobile and desktop versions of Google Maps.

Google Maps Navigation takes advantage of your mobile Internet connection and Google's comprehensive map data to help you plan your journeys with confidence.

"In India, you'll have access to information about any of the thousands of cities, towns, roads, and points of interest that have been mapped by users in Google Map Maker. In other words, whether you're heading to the Bengaluru airport for a business trip or visiting Agra's world-famous Taj Mahal for a weekend of sightseeing with friends, Google Maps Navigation has you covered. Your phone will announce upcoming directions to you as you move along your route - and it will even use a friendly and familiar Indian accent if you've selected the Indian English locale on in your phone settings," as explained in the blog.

There is no separate app, it's already available directly in the Android app launcher and in the Google Maps interface for users who have Google Maps for Mobile installed on their Android smartphone.

The Blog also suggested that to complement the launch of Google Maps Navigation in India, Google Maps will also begin to offer live traffic information for major roads in six large Indian cities and their surrounding suburbs: Bengaluru, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad.

David wnet on to even inform that while the Google Maps app itself is a free download from Google Play and Google doesn't charge users for access to Navigation, the Google Maps app does require an Internet connection and users are responsible for any mobile data charges they incur while using the app.

The article was first posted in Official Google India Blog:http://googleindia.blogspot.in/2012/09/navigation-and-traffic-data-come-to.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+GoogleIndiaBlog+%28Google+India+Blog%29&utm_content=Google+Reader