Google’s My Tracks GPS-powered Android app the ultimate outdoor activity companion

Over at The Official Google Blog, a GPS-powered Android application called My Tracks has been announced. The application uses the GPS built into Android handsets such as T-Mobile’s G1 to capture your location during outdoor activities and presents live statistics such as speed, total distance, and elevation.

It’s a great application for running, biking, hiking and any other outdoor sport/activity that can use data analysis for training purposes. Plus you can send your performance statistics to Google Docs and mark places or describe activities for others via Google Maps.
Okay, so how’s it different? It doesn’t require a secondary GPS receiver or software installation on your computer for one. Secondly it doesn’t require you to upload your training statistics to the computer once your workout or activity is over. It can all be done directly from your phone.
My Tracks is the latest location-based service to be announced by Google coming from its 20% program. The program allows Google employees to use 20% of their work time for outside development projects. The location signatures now present in Google’s email platform Gmail is an example of another 20% project. Between these two new services and the launch of Google’s friend-finding application Latitude last week, it’s clear the company believes location is gradually integrating itself into every aspect of our lives.
My Tracks is now available to download from the Android Market. Check out the demo video below.


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