Using Google Maps Offline with your iPod Touch

Have you ever needed to get somewhere and wanted to use your iPod Touch as a mini GPS system while getting there? Well, you can with the Google Maps app that comes with the iPod Touch. But, if you happen to be entering your route as you go, and happen to run into an area that doesn’t have WiFi, you’ll be without a connection and only halfway to where you want to go. But there’s a very easy way to solve this problem. Simply mark your route before you go, and it will be right there waiting for you, whether you’re in a WiFi area or not.

First, you will need to start by being connected to WiFi. Then go to “Directions” and type in both your starting destination and your end destination. Google Maps will download the information for you and you can then save it for future use. Google Maps will save this information for you offline, so you’ll be able to use it whenever you want.

First you’ll see one green pin at your starting point and one red pin at your final destination, with a route mapped out in between. Hit the Start button and magically, it will become two arrows – one left, one right – that will guide you the entire way through your route. And not only will you still be able to see your route, but this Google Maps iPhone app will even spell it all for you in plain text. So if you don’t like following zigzags while you’re driving, all you have to do is take a quick skim through one or two lines of text and, voila! You’ll be there before you know it! You can even look ahead and see what your route has in store for you by tapping the eyeball in the lower-right corner and then hitting List.

Get rid of one more electronic in your car by doing away with that GPS system and replacing it with your iPhone or iPod Touch – and your Google Maps app offline!