Google Maps Is Fine for Finding Subways

Thursday’s Phone Smart column, on apps for New York City commuters, alludes to the dearth of subway-related apps for Android phones.

Some Android users sent e-mails suggesting the cause: Google Maps. That free app, a Swiss army knife of location-related services, sniffs out your location and offers you directions and travel times to the nearest mass transit stations and guidance on which trains and buses to take.

While it doesn’t suggest which door to choose for the fastest exit, as the Exit Strategy NYC iPhone app does, Google’s software is generally good enough to stave off iPhone envy. Plus, it works in cities other than New York, and you can add Exit Strategy to your Android device to further speed your commute.

Readers from outside the New York area who don’t have an Android device should consider the OpenMaps app ($3), which lets you download high-resolution maps of nearly any major city to your device, for those times when you have no cell connection. Because the maps are high-resolution, you can enlarge the image to the point where you can see street level detail.