[ccb2011]

Hi - I have Samsung Galaxy Ace and have used the Navigation app a couple of times. Does it work off actual real time traffic info on motorways? Reason I ask is because late last year, I was travelling from Bradford to Wigan and turned Navigation on and it said 2 hours 30 mins - and the M62 was crawling, so I'm guessing Navigation knows what average speed is at present, etc? Guessing it doesn't have stats/updates for A-roads - but any info would be great - just curious

[!!11oneone]

Google get traffic information by knowing how fast Android phones are travelling.

If it gets information that your phone is doing 20mph and the location information says you're on the M62, then it's a certainty that traffic is pretty awful. And yes, it works on all major roads including A roads.

They've also acquired a company called Waze that have a real-time traffic and navigation app, where users actively send updates about road conditions.

[ccb2011]

Thanks for reply - so... this Waze that they've acquired, will they build this into the Navigation app or is this something to download separate?

[ccb2011]

Sorry for questions! So, if I'm at home, not set off for somewhere yet - and if I switch my Navigation app on, would it give me a 'realistic' journey time, based on current traffic conditions?

[iGeek2014]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccb2011

Thanks for reply - so... this Waze that they've acquired, will they build this into the Navigation app or is this something to download separate?

Waze is an app you can download in addition to Google Navigation.

My friend who has an iPhone 4 (and therefore doesn't qualify for voice guidance and turn by turn navigation) uses it a lot.

I have noticed within Google Maps on my phone that traffic status updates sometimes mention a report via Waze so perhaps in time future releases will negate the need for both apps.

[pi r squared]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccb2011

Sorry for questions! So, if I'm at home, not set off for somewhere yet - and if I switch my Navigation app on, would it give me a 'realistic' journey time, based on current traffic conditions?

Yes. And in my experience, "realistic" tends to be "pretty damn accurate". The latest version even offers improvements to the 'alternative route' functionality, too.

It covers a huge number of roads with varying degrees of accuracy, based (as !!11oneone points out) mainly on other people with Google Maps running / installed. Even traffic delays on minor, minor roads in my estate sometimes come up!