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Android Apk - Google Maps with sat nav is now able to run on all Android mobile phones version 1.6 and above. This free update places the app on a par with Ovi Maps offered by Nokia and presents a real challenge to standalone satellite navigation systems.

Nokia - As the new app can operate on Android 1.6 OS and onwards, devices including the HTC Desire, Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 and the Nexus One can now access the new sat nav-enabled version of Google Maps.

To access the Google Maps on your Android, you only need to turn your phone off and on again.

Now when you open the app, there is a “Navigate” option which proceeds to download your entire journey if you want it to – so you don’t even need to have a mobile signal for the whole of your trip.

There is a voice search option which lets you say “Navigate to X” instead of tapping onscreen. And because Google Search is integrated you can be specific in where you want to go, and your Android phone will do the rest, scouring the internet first if needed.

The system is web-based, though, so areas with a signal will naturally work best and those without may struggle. Google states being web-based allows them to keep the maps up-to-date.

Companies have started selling special in-car holders for various Android phones as the new Google Maps features a car mode.

This version of the map app with sat nav was launched in the US six months ago. Despite the extra services on offer now from a simple mobile phone, TomTom has stated its sales in the US have not declined since the update launched.