Following up on the small announcement made this morning, Google has gone into further detail regarding its new Google Maps Navigation application for devices based on Android 2.0.

The application includes conventional navigation features such as 3D views, turn-by-turn voice guidance and automatic rerouting with an additional seven features that are dependent on a mobile broadband connection, including map and business data from Google Maps, Google Search integration, voice control, live traffic data, business searching along the main route such as gas stations, restaurants or parking locations without excessive deviation, satellite view and the ever popular Street View.

The beta version of the application will be included with the Motorola DROID and will be offered on other future devices released in the US running Android 2.0 for free.

Google has announced the inclusion of Android 2.0 support in both the SDK and in the changelog along with a companion video ahead of the Droid announcement tomorrow. Read More for the changelog with the most important new features.

• Support for multiple Google and Exchange accounts
• Third-party “sync adapters” will allow apps to tie in to the phone’s sync services
• Quick contact menus for fast access to specific key pieces of contact information
• Unified email inbox
• SMS and MMS search
• Text message auto-delete after a user-defined thread size is reached
• Significantly improved camera controls with white balance, macro, effects, and more
• Improved keyboard layout, dictionary, and algorithm based on multi-touch support
• Double-tap zoom in browser, support for HTML5
• Bluetooth 2.1 support with addition of OPP and PBAP profiles
  Improved graphics hardware acceleration

The following points were agreed upon by both executives:

“we both think it’s essential that the Internet remains an unrestricted and open platform where people can access any content (so long as it’s legal), as well as the services and applications of their choice.”

The post goes on to detail the following points that need to be considered in the net neutrality debate and potential addition to the national policy:

1.) Users should continue to have the final say about their web experience. Control by one or more entities will kill the web in its current form.

2.) Investment in advanced networks is vital with the existing wireline broadband rules appearing to be sufficient if they are enforced properly.

3.) Flexibility in government policy is key with dense, overbearing legislation being detrimental to the spirit of net neutrality.

4.) Broadband network providers should have the flexibility to manage their networks to deal with threats of any kind with transparency being a necessity.

5.) Broadband providers also need to present customers with clear information about their services without confusing them.

This follows Verizon Communications CEO Ivan Seidenberg’s recent comments which sharply criticized the need for a national net neutrality policy, stating that Verizon was in fact troubled by the policy proposed by the FCC along with AT&T and Comcast, who are also opposed.

Seidenberg stated that innovation and investment will be stifled while citing examples such as telemedicine that he stated would require Verizon be able to prioritize such traffic. Without the ability to prioritize under the proposed policy, he states the company would not be able to offer such services.

With the addition of layers  you are now able to view different types of information about the area around you.

” For example, you can turn on the Wikipedia layer to read entries about nearby places, then use the transit lines layer to help map out a route. Or you can use the My Maps feature of Google Maps to create a collection of places you’re planning to visit on your trip and then use Google Maps for mobile to access it from the road. You can also turn on the Google Latitude layer to see your friends’ locations.”

Another great way to utilize layers is to set a layer to display train routes or bus tops.  By having these layers you can toggle them on and off based on your needs at the current time.  To download the updated Google Maps App, head over to m.google.com/maps with your BlackBerry browser.  Google Maps with Layers is also available for Windows Mobile and S60.

Like Samsung, LG has decided to leave the Android operating system untouched, rather than masking it, like we have seen on the HTC Hero. The phone has a large 3 inch, possibly HVGA resolution, touchscreen and a side-sliding full QWERTY keyboard. The phone also sports a 5-megapixel camera and both a send and end key, with a smallÂok/confirm key in the middle.

Pricing and release date are both unknown at this time.

Apple has stated that the company was acting alone when it chose to initially reject the Google Voice application on the grounds that it duplicated its dialer functionality, but has now stated that it is currently reviewing the app to determine whether the application utilizes VOIP to complete phone calls which would also constitute a violation of its application development rules, going as far as to list applications that have been rejected, the specific reason for the rejection and revealing that it maintains a small team of 40 people dedicated to reviewing every application submitted.

AT&T for its part has filed its answer and has reiterated that it played no part in rejecting Google Voice on iPhone and stating its commitment to open access of software and data services on its phones and offered this statement:

“AT&T had no role in any decision by Apple to not accept the Google Voice application for inclusion in the Apple App Store. AT&T was not asked about the matter by Apple at any time, nor did we offer any view one way or the other.

AT&T does not block consumers from accessing any lawful website on the Internet. Consumers can download or launch a multitude of compatible applications directly from the Internet, including Google Voice, through any web-enabled wireless device without the need to use the Apple App Store.”

This is despite AT&T actively changing its terms of service to block third-party applications such as Sling Player in the name of network stability while allowing others to operate without issue such as YouTube and Cellular Video which perform identical functionality.

The most interesting response was naturally filed by Google as it went into detail on the functionality of Google Voice for iPhone and the similarity of Google services to those offered by Apple, but has redacted Apple’s response to Google regarding the specific reason for the rejection, which was one of the questions asked by the FCC.

The service works by the user conductiong search for a particular product or place, and MyLocation then relies on cellsite triangulation relative to the location of the device to provide relevant results.

The service requires activation before use and can be updated via Google if and when the location changes significantly.

The applications feature voicemail transcriptions, the ability to call and text with the Google Voice number, and low-cost international dialing along with address book integration. The application can be downloaded at this address on either device and Android users can use their camera to scan a QR code for an instant download at the linked blogpost.

Google has also stated that it is working on an iPhone Google Voice application with no timetable for release at this time

On the iPhone, auto-completion has been accelerated when typing in the name and address fields, while Android users using the HTC Dream can now take advantage of GMail keyboard shortcuts.

The Android 1.5 update is not currently available to US T-Mobile G1 users yet, but many customers with G1s have reported that their devices had been updated over the air before the update was pulled last week with no explanation. Android 1.5 is currently available to owners of the Android Developer Phone for use as a real-time development tool for applications.

Update: Android 1.5 is now expected to roll out next week in phases with the update expected to be completely rolled out by the end of the month, according to leaked internal documents.