Google Maps “Send To Car” Running Out Of Gas?

There have been a number of comments in forums and tweets that people aren’t seeing the Google Maps’ “send to car” option any longer. The following comment is representative:

The send to car option is gone from the Google Maps Beta: there is only a send to email and send to phone option.  Is it gone forever.  This seems to happen with every Google maps Beta.  I find this feature very helpful and use it all the time.

Yet for me and others I’ve spoken with the “send to car” option remains very much an option on Google Maps. Just last year Google was promoting the fact that it now users could send maps/destinations to more than 20 car brands globally.

Send to car currently works with the in-car navigation and personal navigation device/GPS systems on the above list in the screenshot and below:

• Mercedes-Benz
• Garmin
• BMW
• Audi
• TomTom
• ClarionMiND
• OnStar
• Ford SYNC
• Rolls Royce Ghost
• Nissan CARWINGS

Send to car has been around since 2007. Microsoft (Bing Maps) and Mapquest, to varying degrees, also support in-dash and PND navigation.

It may be that the majority of people are simply emailing maps to themselves and then accessing them on smartphones in the car (that’s what I do). Yet in-dash navigation and internet access is a growing phenomenon rather than a shrinking one; although these systems (e.g., Ford Sync) increasingly integrate with smartphones.

I’m not able to explain why some folks aren’t seeing the option any longer. If anyone has additional or more definitive information please let us know.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3EhHr7lbkk&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Related Entries:

• Bing Scores First In-Car Search Deal With Toyota
• Send To (German) Car: The New Local Search Front
• MapQuest Partners With GM’s OnStar For ‘Send to Car‘ Directions
• Google Maps Now With “Send To Garmin”
• Send To TomTom: Google Maps Partners With Personal Nav Device Maker