Google Maps for Android updated to 4.4, adds dedicated 'Places' for searching nearby

Ready to suck down your sixth Google Maps for Android update in the past six months? Good. Version 4.4 has just been shoved out into the bright, hopeful world that we call home, with this one bringing about an easier way to find places around you. With the update will come an entirely new logo, as a dedicated 'Places' icon allows users to quickly look up nearby places in a Yelp-esque manner. If you tend to search for similar things regardless of where you are, you can load up your own personalized categories to make finding frequent searches that much easier (think "gas station" or "In N Out"). There's also Place Pages, which now shows the operating hours of listed businesses, compass direction and distance from your location. It's available now for all Android phones using v1.6 or newer, and if you're rocking a BlackBerry, you can expect the Place Page to head your way soon.

[krosref Posted Jul 27th 2010 1:04PM]

screw google! google maps on webos, a full year later, is still a dog, all kinds of performance issues and absent features. you can get a better google maps experience on a friggin' feature phone.

[DaHarder Posted Jul 27th 2010 1:07PM]

I've been using it for a day or so and really appreciate the tight Google Maps/Android OS integration.

Google/Android is so far ahead of its competitors/the game when it comes to navigation feature synergy (at no cost) that it'll probably take years for others to catch up... If they ever do.

Great Job Google/Android!

[soren121 Posted Jul 27th 2010 1:08PM]

It took them this long to add a feature that standalone GPS devices have had for years?

[DaHarder Posted Jul 27th 2010 1:23PM]

@soren121

The point is, there were already a plethora of Android Apps that offered similar functionality, but now it's much more tightly integrated into the Android OS/Google Maps.

If you don't 'get it' there's always that trusty old 'standalone GPS' of which you speak.

[Lethallax Posted Jul 27th 2010 1:16PM]

Updated my moment yesterday. It's awesome

[shizbgby Posted Jul 27th 2010 1:25PM]

*sits in the corner with CLIQ and sighs dejectedly*

[Enellz08 Posted Jul 27th 2010 1:26PM]

Just downloaded mine

[Casey2010 Posted Jul 27th 2010 1:30PM]

When I updated, I also received the Latitude app, and Places has replaced the Places Directory app. I don't believe Places Directory or Laatirude is on the Market any longer either. Glad to see all this integrated into one application!

[Casey2010 Posted Jul 27th 2010 1:38PM]

@Casey2010
Sorry, I meant to say "I don't believe Places Directory or Latitude isn't on the Market any longer either."

[PathogenX Posted Jul 27th 2010 1:32PM]

This is why I want an android phone. I do a lot of biking and turn by turn directions would be extremely helpful if I ever get lost (which I do). I was planning on picking up the TMO vibrant but I keep hearing about the GPS issue so I will hold off and see if they are going to fix the problem.

It's a very nice app indeed and can be very helpful.

[Oflife Posted Jul 27th 2010 1:47PM]

This is NOT an original idea. Google have lifted most features from another location service. More on this in due course.

[DaHarder Posted Jul 27th 2010 2:07PM]

@Oflife

Google's alleged 'lifting of ideas' from others certainly works well for numerous other companies these days (one iN particular).

So as long as they're doing it to legally and to the customer's benefit, there's little to complain about.

[skillGlitch Posted Jul 27th 2010 2:18PM]

@Oflife I don't think anyone thought it was or cares either way. Integrating features new (to GMaps) is good, I really don't care who came up with the idea.

[Celz Posted Jul 27th 2010 6:15PM]

@Oflife Why wouldn't they palm apple and ms have been lifting ideas legally and illegally for years now

[Stone632 Posted Jul 27th 2010 1:53PM]

this just made my life SOOOO much easier
thank you google

you fucking rock

[Johnny Tremaine Posted Jul 27th 2010 2:01PM]

Wow, this owns Ovi Maps on my old E66.

[redspear Posted Jul 27th 2010 2:28PM]

1870 Sacramento St. Hey Engadget thanks for posting my address....

[Makali Posted Jul 27th 2010 2:45PM]

Google and Android rocks

[thhix Posted Jul 27th 2010 3:41PM]

Awesome. Couldn't you already do most of this though? Just search "gas near City, ST"? or "in n out near City, ST"?

[HaloBuff Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:09PM]

Curse AT&T! Stupid backflip is still stuck on 1.5.... Come on guys, get it together already!

[zsmorr Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:26PM]

This is actually a very nice update, I really don't have any reason to use a regular GPS anymore.

[Dirka07 Posted Jul 28th 2010 4:06PM]

@zsmorr
You will if you drive into a place with no data service.

[zsmorr Posted Jul 28th 2010 7:00PM]

@Dirka07
True, but that's almost nowhere, even when I don't have Sprint service (which so far was only once when travelling in Kentucky) I was roaming on Verizon, and even with 1x speeds the GPS worked well. There are very few places that aren't covered by Sprint or Verizon, and there aren't any near me.

[incredibuyer Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:11PM]

Wow! Great update!! Places with all map layers turned on is really useful. I like the call button, etc. Had to reboot my Inc for the application icon to show up.

[lens2film Posted Jul 27th 2010 11:01PM]

Does anyone else not have an issue adding Places to their home screen? I can't find the option anywhere in the menu. I have an Evo.

[willielewis2 Posted Jul 27th 2010 11:11PM]

while webos gets sh*tted on and waits, waits, waits

[Hazdaz Posted Aug 1st 2010 11:10PM]

I finally updating my Maps app to 4.4 and maybe I am missing something there, but I don't see any Layers to allow the location of ATMs or Gas Stations any of the other things shown in the pic in the article.
... I mean I know I can Search for "ATM locations" or "Bar location" and stuff like that, but thats not the same as a Layer. What am I missing here??

[Whiteap Posted Aug 8th 2010 1:04AM]

Listen I love the new update its so easy to use and much more accurate then anything else I used.