Nissan Partners with Google for Enhanced Navigation

American carmaker Nissan signed a new partnership with search company Google in order to add interoperability between the web-based service Google Maps and its in-car navigation system CARWINGS. From now on, Nissan drivers can use their PCs to search for a certain Google Maps location and, using the provided Send To button, they can send the selected address to their vehicle's navigation system. Using information provided by Google Maps, CARWINGS provides driving directions and helps the driver reach the selected location easier than anytime before.

Unfortunately, the service is only available for the Japanese version of Google Maps and requires drivers to input a CARWINGS ID before sending the selected location to the in-car navigation system.

“Nissan will continue to add progressive features, such as Google Maps and collaborate with online content providers to give customers compelling and convenient services in today's increasingly mobile world,” Nissan representatives said in a press statement.

Google Maps is a web-based service available for free to all users and accessible with through browsers, no matter what platform you're using (Windows, Mac OS X or Linux). The service was officially launched in February, 2005 and was initially available to only a few browsers.

Since then, search giant Google improved Google Maps every once in a while, adding several advanced features such as Street View, traffic information and driving directions. Beside all these updates, the Mountain View-based company also rolled out a downloadable application providing almost the same features as Google Maps, dubbed Google Earth and compatible with most popular operating systems, including Mac OS X, Windows and Linux.