Oct 21st 2013, 10:00, by Armando Rodriguez, Florence Ion
Android has always been about living on the cutting edge. While other mobile operating systems were just learning how to record HD videos, Android was letting you unlock your phone with your face. Google's robot-themed OS has consistently been the first to deliver a number of features that we now take for granted, so now, on the eve of Android's fifth birthday, it's time to give the little green guy the respect he deserves.
Without most of these features, smartphones would be downright boring—and not half as useful.
Free turn-by-turn directions
In 2009, Google managed to get a leg up on the mobile industry by offering free turn-by-turn directions in the Google Maps app for Android. The app was based on Google's preexisting Maps data and offered extra bits such as real-time traffic information, satellite view and Street View, and the ability to search for popular restaurants and places either by text input or voice.
Google only recently made its turn-by-turn functionality available on iOS, perhaps in response to the fact that Apple's own implementation launched with quite a few snags.
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