You might be surprised to see a Starlink Navigation vs. Google Maps comparison. It hasn’t gathered huge popularity, but did you know Starlink has a Navigation option too?
Given Starlink’s mode of operation, it is well-placed to provide navigation services.
It has all the right components, including thousands of low-earth orbit satellites and ground stations.
Furthermore, it is set for global coverage when it finalizes its Satellite launches.
Google Maps has already made a name for itself as the go-to navigation app.
So how does Starlink Navigation compare to Google Maps? You’re in the right place to find out what each service offers.
Table of Contents
- What Is Starlink Navigation?
- What is Google Maps?
- Differences between Starlink Navigation vs. Google Maps
- Final Thoughts: Can Starlink Navigation Rival Google Maps?
What Is Starlink Navigation?
Satellites in space
Space X’s Starlink Navigation uses Starlink’s Low-Earth Orbit satellites to provide core navigation services.
Theoretically, Starlink Navigation can heavily benefit autonomous vehicle owners.
During the final quarter of 2021, Ohio State researchers came out with a report that they had found a way to make Starlink viable for navigation services.
While Space X didn’t exclusively green-light the research, the results showed that Starlink has all the right fittings to be more than an internet provider.
The US Army expressed interest in using Starlink as a navigation system as early as 2020.
The idea was to use Starlink Navigation with more robust defenses against spoofing and jamming.
However, Space X turned them down.
Still, they reverse-engineered the process and came out with exciting results.
Starlink could get the right locations with a 30-meter accuracy.
Starlink Navigation would be a powerful alternative to Google Maps mainly because of its satellites’ positions.
At full potential, Starlink might have up to 30,000 satellites.
That would make its latency super low. Low latency means it can provide pinpoint location data much faster.
What is Google Maps?
A person using Google Maps for web
Google Maps is a mapping service by Google that relies on an internet connection to offer maps, precise satellite imagery, and route planning.
The service allows you to access it on your smartphone through an app and on the web.
The app comes pre-installed on Android smartphones.
Since its launch, it has improved data, detail, and services to provide benefits.
It provides:
- Real-time voiced navigation instructions: Detailed instructions about distance and directions help drivers focus on the road to find precise locations, even in some far-flung areas.
- A virtual experience with street view navigation: The app has evolved to offer users 360-degree views of their surroundings on the ground. Street View makes it easier to find some unnoticeable locations even when users are not on location at the time.
- Reviews and user-friendly information about local businesses: Here’s where local business can build their brand and improve their presence. Prospective customers can find locations, check photos, and get contact information from the business. Past users also leave reviews that can boost traffic to the business.
- A database of businesses and their locations: Google Maps is one of the most reliable sources for finding locations and businesses.
- Public transport routing and traffic updates: Google Maps provides route data in many major towns and cities. This data improves traffic flow when coupled with traffic updates in those areas.
- Correct and detailed map data: You can see precision-based data used by ride-sharing apps. Detailed maps include key locations, landmarks, major businesses, and guides to various locations.
Differences between Starlink Navigation vs. Google Maps
Most factors that could affect the Google Maps vs. Starlink Navigation comparison boil down to precision, convenience, and speed.
Additionally, both apps need to be compatible with other apps too.
That way, users have a complete ecosystem where the navigation apps form the ecosystem’s backbone.
Convenient Detailing
One of Google Maps ‘ best features is highly-detailed location data with points of interest (POI).
The app includes vital physical entities such as schools, significant buildings, and historic sights, making finding your way around most places easy.
These POI can also be business-based, such as stores, yards, and hotels.
You can use the recently-added color coding to find specific points of interest, such as wheelchair-accessible areas or other amenities.
It makes the app user-friendly and more accurate.
On the contrary, Starlink Navigation is yet to reach that level of detail.
Real-time traffic information
A detailed view of roads
Most users have their location on. Google gathers about 200 million bits of authorized location information per second from its users.
It uses the data to provide traffic updates on some roads and highways.
Starlink navigation does not provide real-time traffic information based on user location.
Street View
Google Maps can show you major points in a city
Street View is a Google Maps feature that allows users to view a location and get more detailed insights from a location.
Street View gives users colored pictures and a 360-degree look at a location’s surroundings.
Starlink Navigation has massive potential to provide the same. However, it does not have the feature yet.
Transport routing
Google Maps currently helps millions of users get scheduled times for public transportation in cities and towns.
This feature (Google Transit) is a collaboration between Google and local public transport operators.
Unlike Google Maps, Starlink navigation does not provide this feature.
Indoor use
Unlike Starlink Navigation, Google Maps has a feature where you can get directions inside huge places such as malls and airports.
Indoor maps can have finer details, such as floor plans for areas using the service.
Voice control
Google Maps allows you to turn on voice commands as you drive.
While it’s not available in every country or region, it is one more feature that Starlink Navigation doesn’t have.
Cross Compatibility With Other Apps And Services
Google uses various programming interfaces that allow other services to integrate Google Maps into their systems.
Ride-hailing apps and web integration are the best use cases that show such compatibility.
Users can embed Google Maps into apps and websites to enrich their experience.
On the contrary, that is one more feature that Starlink Navigation does not have yet.
Offline Mode
Google Maps seems to have all the cool features. However, one of Starlink Navigation’s standout features is the non-reliance on cellular networks.
Unlike Google Maps, you don’t have to be connected to the internet to get navigation services.
Starlink Navigation’s non-reliance on cellular networks makes it reliable in areas with weak cellular signals.
Customization Options
Google Maps allows users to create new locations in Google Maps or customize pre-existing locations. Starlink Navigation relies on satellites to come up with location data.
The customization option is still undiscovered in Starlink Navigation.
Still, both navigation apps share some similarities. They include:
Global presence: Starlink is expected to use its satellites to provide services globally. Currently, Google Maps can be used in countries all over the world.
Real-time relay: Google Maps relies on constant updates to provide real-time location information.
Likewise, Starlink Navigation relies on its low-earth orbit satellites to give precise positioning accurate to a few meters.
High-speed response transmission: Sure, Google Maps’ response is dictated by cellular network strength.
However, you will usually get a quick response and real-time updated data.
Starlink Navigation uses low latency to provide quick results, too.
Final Thoughts: Can Starlink Navigation Rival Google Maps?
Google Maps is a superior product. It has cemented its place as a preferable GPS service. However, you cannot discount Starlink Navigation.
Starlink Navigation will be a significant positioning system with Space X infrastructure, especially in remote locations where Google Map services might be scarce.
