MapQuest App for the Android

In this article, I read about the new MapQuest application available for the Android phone. In the past, the Android has had a Google maps application, but what is distinctive of MapQuest is the price. This new application is free while Google maps is not. Unfortunately, once again, I do not have a smartphone, but I have to question if this is really a large difference. I have an iTouch, which is basically an iPhone without the calling and text messaging, and I can downloading any application for about $ 1.99. Is it really that amazing that the MapQuest app is free? Does anyone know something about this that I do not?

Also, in regards to the price. I think it is pretty crazy, for lack of a better term, that we not are paying for directions. What happened to asking for directions on the side of the road or having a 30 year old atlas in the back seat. I still don't know how I feel about all of these innovations. With that off my chest, I think that GPS satellite receivers and directional applications are probably the best apps on the market. I don't think I NEED to read an email or NEED to update my Facebook, but I do think that if i'm lost and alone, I NEED an application that can navigate me home. It appeared to me that Google maps had tromped MapQuest, but I am happy to see MapQuest is not giving up because people always need directions; especially for free.

In addition, the MapQuest application, like the Google maps app, is linked with the Android's contact list information. Therefore, the user can search for directions to their friends house or to a the pizza place they just called and ordered from. What is really cool about MapQuest is the OpensSreetMap, which allows the user to go international and find directions outside the United States by a kind of wiki programming. Users can update and upload information about directions and local areas in order to help navigate. Therefore, local businesses are the desired destination are described. I wonder though, If I had this application, would I really spend my time updating information on the retail outlet in my area for others? Or would I just get my directions and be done with it?

Lastly, Google maps has something MapQuest was lacking originally; ground view. Below you see a link that includes a video and article about the Google car has it records images of ground level streets in order for users to zoom in and find what they are looking for. This is my favorite aspect of the entire Google map experience because before I studied abroad in Florence Italy for a semester, I was able to zoom in and literally see the building and piazza that I would be living in for four months. I could not do that with MapQuest.

Google Car