Google may be planning to launch its own mobile navigation application, according to a report by Forbes magazine.

It suggests that the turn-by-turn app would build on Google's existing Google Maps app and data, and more controversially that it would be free and supported by advertising.

That would undercut existing navigation apps, which tend to either charge monthly subscriptions or - in iPhone's case - whacking great up-front download fees.

Google hasn't exactly scotched the rumours: spokeswoman Carolyn Penner tells Forbes that consumers often ask the company to add navigation features to its Google Maps app.

However, some of the speculation in the article seems a little off-beam. Networks In Motion VP of marketing Steve Andler suggests that Google will use Android to trump operators' own navigation services with its own.

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"If Google controls the operating system, the carriers won't be able to get rid of its services, including a navigation app."

However, thus far Google hasn't taken this kind of aggressive approach - indeed, it's keen to stress its desire to work with operators on putting their services onto Android phones.