Oct/Nov 2006

Live traffic information is being offered on demand by Google to mobile phone users in the United States and several European countries, potentially presenting a challenge to suppliers hoping to make a killing with such information.

Google Maps, a clever and colourful free service that has excited Internet users in the past year, is also available to mobile phone users via a downloadable Java application. Now Google is offering live traffic information through the system in major US metropolitan areas. Users simply select "show traffic" in the appropriate application menu.

Currently the system concentrates on selected commuter routes, using red, yellow, and green overlays to indicate traffic conditions. Users seeking driving directions will also be shown the expected drive time, and details of unexpected delays. Mobile network operators stand to benefit through the possible airtime requirement.

Initially the service is available in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Seattle, Washington DC and New York City, and also in Canada, France, Italy, Germany and Spain. There is no indication of any UK availability yet.