Car hire users to shun satnavs in favour of mobiles?

There comes a time when all technology must stand aside and make way for its replacement and that time may have come for satnavs, as free mobile phone-based maps and directions are on the way.

A new innovation from Google could put an end to London car hire users relying on pay-for satnavs.

The IT giant has announced that it is to provide free navigational software for people with its Android handsets.

This will provide turn-by-turn directions and Street View images, ensuring that car hire users need never get lost again.

The technology will be available through Google’s Android 2.0 system and could spell trouble for the motorist’s current best friend – the traditional satnav.

This is because users have to pay for satnav devices and many companies also charge extra for services such as updated maps.

Since the announcement, shares in satnav firms such as Garmin and TomTom have fallen.

Whether they use a mobile phone or satnav, motorists may want to avoid relying on technology too much, after a man almost lost his job as an ambulance driver when he drove the wrong way up a one-way road on the advice of his satnav.

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4. RIAS warns car hire users about night-time driving
5. London car hire users ‘do not recognise road signs’