Google's been iterating its Maps client for Android devices at a positively ridiculous pace lately, burning through versions
3.4 and
4.0 in a span of just a few days last month -- but hey, March is upon us, which apparently means it's time for another fresh cut. This time around we're looking at 4.1, though the mere 0.1 bump in the version number really doesn't do this thing justice -- they've redesigned the results screen, added a swipe gesture for moving between results, served up a new Latitude widget for the home screen, and brought in support for multiple Google accounts (for seeing different Buzz follows, for instance). The icing on the cake, though, is a new live wallpaper for Android 2.1 phones that's a live map of your location, which sounds absurdly awesome -- assuming it doesn't beat your battery to a bloody pulp with constant GPS access, of course. It's available now from the good ol' Market for devices running Android 1.6 and up, so if you're on a device that's still stuck on Cupcake, feel free to shake your fist angrily at the sky a couple times. Interestingly, Google specifically says that the live wallpaper feature works on "Android 2.1+" devices -- a sign that the next major build is around the corner, perhaps?
posted March 18th 2010 1:16AM
Windows Phone 7 Series version 1.01: Now with Multitasking and Copy/Paste!
Wow...got it on my at&t N1. The live maps wallpaper is awesome.
@victor
so maybe this is just me, but ive got a droid running a 2.0.1 based version of bugless beast, and after installing the news maps app, i have the maps live wallpaper. (pete included live wallpapers in his 2.0.1 rom for those who are curious)
anyway, it appears that if you doubletap on the new Maps live wallpaper it will zoom in! however, there doesnt seem to be a way to zoom out, and you can zoom in infinitely until all you see is one giant blotchy pixel. can anybody else confirm this? maybe somebody on a nexus one with stock firmware?
@spasewalkr On the N1, i can zoom in quite a bit and then pinch to zoom out.
@victor
great! thanks for the quick response! i can confirm the pinch to zoom out feature, although it's not at all simple. it seems glitchy, doesn't work all the time, and doesn't have that nice zoom animation that the real Maps app has. i'm sure all of this is because of the custom rom i'm running though...
@victor
Could someone who has this upload a video to Youtube? I'm kinda curious what it looks like.
sorry no video cam here. the pinch zoom is kind of jerky in motion & response. but overall it works. i'm interested to see how lifes maps affects the battery life.
@spasewalkr You can zoom out by touching the screen with two fingers anywhere on the screen, easy as that
@Bman
Yes, it appears to be just two fingers to zoom out and a double tap to zoom in. Nice find fellas!
Moto Droid - Cyanomodgen ROM
*shakes fist at sky*
on android 1.6
@inertone Can I shake two fists because I'm on 1.5.
I love vegetables that are lovely and fresh.
@paul34
cheese isn't a vegetable..
or IS it?
@glenskey
cheese is a kind of meat. A tasty yellow treat.
@timmeh
I hope it does not taste like feet!
*shakes fist angrily*
Waiting for the official 2.1 update on the Hero...I'm still on 1.5.
@cetus corr
why wait for the official when dach has it good and goin
@drumwiz86
I've looked into it, most of it works, but some fixes or work arounds still needed, I'll stick with the fresh1.1 for now.
@cetus corr
ditto!
Can't....wait...until...May 7th...so I can get my damn Verizon N1 with my new every two...
@crazydog
im waiting for the HTC Incredible
@inertone
Man, I'm just tired of this Damn BB Curve 8330.
@crazydog
then may 7th seems like a LOOOOOONG wait haha
may the force be with you
@inertone
It sure does. I've been waiting since it was announced, so it's gotten closer. :P
If the Incredible is out by then, I'll see which is better. :P I'm not against any other new Android phones.
@crazydog
i doubt many people are against new android phones
it feels like android Christmas!
@crazydog
I'm in the exact same boat. Been waiting since the announcement a few months ago. To make the wait even more unbearable my current phone, LG Dare, is now trash. Thing turns off after 10 texts and wont turn back on till its plugged back into wall. Not buying a new battery or w/e now.
I can't wait. This is awesome!
gosh! i havent got the update and i dont think i will :(((((((( but the new maps app is pretty awesome i do have to admit now were my update and whens the flash comin???????
Anyone know how often the live map updates?
@Itami
what do you mean by "live"?
@theonlysmr
what do you think "live"means?
@inertone
welli could go into the subject but knowing that this is a open blog where many people as in millions are constantly looking at all of these post so i would rather not go into it.
but seriously what do you mean by live?
do you mean: when you hit my location, or the live wallpaper thing?
@theonlysmr
haha
i think they mean the actual map as your wallpaper
when youre on the map the "My Location" dot will follow your movement
and this will be your wallpaper
i think
@inertone
i have no idea cause i am pissed about not getting my update which i hope i can get today or whenever this "beta" testing comes out (thats what she said) but ya i hope it doesn't update to often or use up a lot of my processing power.
@Itami
it doesn't use GPS, it uses network location. so its got the giant blue circle around it. still cool though.
@theonlysmr
try going into the market and manually updating
@justinisyoung
oh awesome hope it doesn't bog up the phone to bad still
@theonlysmr
how do i manulally update from the market?
@theonlysmr
go to market>downloads>google maps>update
@justinisyoung Oh ok, interesting to know. I said "live" because that's what it's called, a live map? I mostly just wanted to know if it updates your location via GPS or network location and how often.
@Itami
hahaha ya and intertone i already did that i meant 2.0.1 to 2.1
@theonlysmr
ohhhhhh
i knew that haha
i guess just wait for the OTA update?
@inertone
ahhh okkk :((((
(*fist shaking at the sky with the one finger salute*)
Now I really hope my Droid gets picked for 2.1 tomorrow
@therockr92
me to man
Just got the update on my N1... love the swipe gesture to navigate between the search results... loving it :)
At this pace were looking at Google Maps 10.0 by Q1 2011, exclusive only to Android 3.0 powered optical implants. I can't wait! But first give me my delicious Motorola Shadow....
Multiple account support, some wallpaper thing, and..I have yet to actually try it out. Anyone else having issues with it crashing? I haven't been able to use it since I updated it, it just crashes when I open it, before I can actually do anything..
@DWad
try restarting your phone?