Sep 10, 2010 06:14 GMT  ·  By

Internet giant Google has just announced the availability of a new flavor of Google Maps for Android, namely version 4.5, which comes with a brand new feature when compared to the previous variants, Walking Navigation, currently in Beta.

Google Maps already came to Android with Navigation, as well as with walking directions, and the new feature is only meant to put the two together.

But this is not all in the new flavor of Maps for Android, it seems, as the solution also offers users the possibility to use Street View smart navigation or the new Google Maps search bar to find a direction to walk or drive to.

“Walking Navigation lets you use GPS navigation with walking directions that are more direct and use pedestrian pathways when we know about them. To try it now, choose the “Walking” option from the Navigation icon,” a recent post on the Google Mobile Blog reads.

The solution also comes with a series of features aimed at helping pedestrians, including vibrations when one has to make a turn, or the possibility to turn off voice guidance.

“To help you orient yourself with your surroundings, the map will rotate with you as you turn the phone, and walking mode uses satellite view by default. Use it like a virtual compass with satellite imagery to look ahead or help pick out landmarks along the way,” the blog post continues.

However, one thing that needs be remembered is that the new Walking Navigation feature is only in beta flavor at the moment, and that Google Maps might not always offer up-to-date info on walking routes.

“Whether you’re walking or driving with Google Maps Navigation, you should always be safe and pay attention to road signs, follow signals, and use good judgment about routes that can’t be walked,” Google warns.

The Street View smart navigation offers Android users the possibility to take a look at the place they are heading for, a feature that works the same as Street View on a computer.

Those interested in this should find more info in the video below. We should also note that they would have to download an update for the “Street View on Google Maps” app in Android Market separately from Google Maps.

As soon as the update has been downloaded and installed, one would be able to use Street View as simple as before, through searching for a place in the Google Maps and then long pressing on the map.

The new Google Maps search bar will appear at the top of the the map, offering users the possibility to easily start searching, open Places, use the Layers menu, and more.

A series of other features are also available for those looking for nearby places, including: - Filter search results by distance or ratings - View prices categorized with dollar signs - See cross streets for places.

The new 4.5 version of Google Maps for Android can be downloaded from the Android Market on any Android 1.6+ mobile phone out there. Street View on Google Maps can be downloaded from there too.

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