The folks over at XDA never cease to amaze me. Those smart cats took the Google Maps Navigation from the Motorola Droid and ported it over to the G1. With a few command prompts I had Google Maps with Navigation running on my G1! You can do this through ADB (computer) or via Terminal (phone). I did it through the Terminal because it seems a bit easier and takes less steps. Of course you have to have a rooted phone, at least to the best of my knowledge. BIG thanks to the folks on XDA for making this possible.
Here is the method I chose using Terminal on the phone itself.
1.Place 3 files on sdcard (build.prop, build.trout.prop, Maps.apk) – Download these from the forum thread.
2.Terminal Commands (on phone):
su
ash
mount -o remount,rw /system
cp /system/build.prop /sdcard/build.prop.backup
cp /system/build.trout.prop /sdcard/build.trout.prop.backup
cp /sdcard/build.prop /system
cp /sdcard/build.trout.prop /system
cd /system/app
rm *Maps*
rm *maps*
cd /system/sd/app
rm *maps*
rm *Maps*
cd /system/sd/dalvik-cache
rm *maps*
rm *Maps*
reboot
3. Terminal:
su
ash
mount -o remount,rw /system
install /sdcard/Maps.apk /system/app/
4. Run “Maps”
Directions -> Put end point -> Go -> “Navigate” under “Show on Map” -> Install voice etc
(Must have GPS on and data connection active)
If “Navigate” doesn’t show up, something went wrong. You may also need to edit the build.prop file depending on what version of Cyanogen’s ROM’s you are using, and you may also need to un-install and re-install Google Voice if you are not hearing the voice function. If your a Magic user then you’ll have to search though the thread and find the specific instructions for you. Any more problems and try deleting the Google Maps Navigation folder in the DATA folder on your SD card.
Last but not least if you break your phone, I am not liable.
Actual Use
I fired it up and tested it on a 30 min hike to my parents house. I LOVE how you can switch views, even down to street view to see the turn exactly what the turn will look like ahead. Another sweet feature is that it automatically zooms in when you are close to making a turn so you can see EXACTLY where you are supposed to be turning. All in all I am VERY impressed. With all of that to say, it makes the G1 incredibly slow. That may be of course because it’s not really supposed to be on it to begin with.
