googlemaps
Latest
Google Maps 5.7 for Android brings Transit Navigation beta, updated access to directions
Good news, jetsetters -- those of you relying on Google Maps Navigation will now find it even harder to wean yourself off of it. Not like we'd ever recommend that, though. The navigators in Mountain View have just updated Google Maps for Android to v5.7, and while it's just a point update in terms of numbers, there's a healthy chunk of new material here. For starters, there's the addition of added Transit Navigation (Beta), which brings GPS turn-by-turn (or in this case, stop-by-stop) navigation to public transit systems in 400+ cities worldwide. It'll tap into your GPS module to determine your current location, and then alert you when it's time to get off or make a transfer -- downright invaluable in a place where you don't speak the language. After starting your trip with Transit Navigation, you can switch to another app or holster your mobile altogether, as an alert will still pop up in the notification bar (as well as a vibration) when the next stop is coming up. Google doesn't say specifically, but it sure sounds as if it caches things before you head into the tunnel, nixing that whole "underground service" problem. Moving right along, users will also find improved directional services for driving / walking as well as a streamlined direction acquisition system within a Place page. There's also a couple of new improvements in search suggestions, with the addition of category icons and auto-insertion of places you got directions to into Places. Finally, the addition of the Photo viewer for Place pages should help you better visualize what you're about to walk (or drive, we guess) into. Head on down to the Market link below if you're down to try something fresh, but make sure you're rocking an Android 2.1+ device. Wouldn't want to crush your dreams, G1 owners. Update: Android Central spotted a huge, huge inclusion to this build: the ability to download maps for offline usage. Check out a video just after the break.
Google, MapQuest, Microsoft and Aol sued for allegedly infringing 3D mapping patent
The saga continues for Google's voyeuristic mapping service, but this time Microsoft Streetside and Aol's MapQuest 360 View may be the Bonnie to Street View's Clyde. Transcenic, Inc. is suing the tech giants for acquiring the tools necessary to offer 3D mapping by less-than-legitimate means. The Louisiana-based company alleges that all named parties borrowed, without permission, a bit from a patent it owns on a 3D cartography technology that captures spatial reference images and uses a database to navigate them on command. Google has been in hot water for its maps before, but it no doubt hopes this legal tiff ends as well as its one for trespassing, where it only paid a pack of gum's worth of damages. If you're into reading all the current legalese, check out the source for the full complaint. Meanwhile, we'll find out if Cousin Vinny's on the case. [Disclosure: Aol is the parent company of Engadget.]
Google Maps-powered training bike simulates Tour de France, refuses to speak English
Poor France. The nation known mostly for its food and wine only has a few major sporting events to call its own, yet we -- great, fat and lazy America -- have pwned its most iconic one for seven years. That legacy could still live on -- if you don't mind shelling out $1299 and sweating all over your living room floor, that is. Powered by Google Maps and touted as the official trainer of Le Tour de France, comes a Pro-Form training bike so hardcore, it even simulates potholes. Ok, we made that last part up, but it does allow you to feel the burn of 24 pre-set courses, or one of your own punishing design. For the ultra-committed indoor enthusiast, there's also Intelligent Wind Resistance and a 20 percent incline / decline feature that'll match the ups and downs of real life outdoor cycling without the hassle of the actual outdoors. Honestly, it's a bit much and we can't really see this thing taking off with the New Year's Eve resolution set, but if you've always wanted that biker's derriere, this is your trainer.
iOS 5 legal disclaimer lists new third-party mapping companies
A recent discovery in the legal disclaimer section of iOS 5 suggests Apple may be looking beyond Google Maps in future versions of the mobile OS. The legal section references a variety of mapping companies in its map data section, including CoreLogic, Getchee, Localeze and Urban Mapping. Most of these new services provide local point-of-interest information, demographics and traffic data. One notable company also included on this list is Tom Tom whose name needs no explanation. Despite this discovery, Google Maps is still in the game for the time being. It has a long history with the iPhone and appears front and center in iOS 5. Eric Schmidt also recently confirmed Apple has extended its mapping agreement with the search giant. Apple is still relying on Google Maps, but there is little doubt it is working on its own solution. In the past several years, Apple has bought two mapping companies: Placebase and Poly9. It has also hired engineers with navigation and mapping experience to join its iOS development team. Coupled with earlier rumors, these latest legal disclaimer references suggest a Google Maps companion and perhaps even a replacement is in the works.
Deep Shot transfers open websites from desktop to mobile, sans wizardry
When we first read about Deep Shot, we were admittedly dumbfounded, but equally impressed. The "technology" allows you to "capture" the current state of a website on your desktop and transfer it to a mobile device -- taking a picture of a Google Map on your desktop with your smartphone camera will open the site in the same state on your phone, for example. Sounds like a pretty neat magic trick, huh? Well, it's not. In order to use Deep Shot, you need to install an app on your mobile, computer, and any other device you plan to use it with -- thus making it even less practical than Chrome to Phone. It currently works with Google Maps and Yelp, but could theoretically be used with any site that uses URIs, or those lengthy URLs that contain search details, such as the origin and destination addresses you sent to Google Maps. You could also "transfer" a site in its "current state" by emailing the URI, or by using an app to seamlessly share it over WiFi or Bluetooth with a "send to mobile" button -- which is likely what Deep Shot is doing here anyway, just with an extra step thrown into the mix. Care to visit a land where you can swim with the Loch Ness Monster and ride a pink unicorn? Head past the break for Deep Shot's coming out video, which curiously makes no mention of the required desktop software.
Live transit updates in Google Maps help you plan your romantic bus-catching sprint
Brooklynites on their way to the latest Reggie Watts show have long had real-time bus-tracking information, but public-transit aficionados in six other cities now have one less reason for BK envy. With the latest version of Google Maps, even the least cool citizens of Boston, Portland, Ore., San Diego, San Francisco, Madrid and Turin can see not just when their bus or train is scheduled to arrive, but when it actually will. Selecting a stop on the map displays "live departure times" and service alerts, thanks to Google's data-sharing partnerships with city transit operators. That won't always guarantee fewer delays or less waiting, but will help riders budget their time, and maybe find those precious seconds necessary to post more Tumblr pictures of "ironic" Hitler-kittens.
Google Maps Navigation to get offline mode? Garmin and TomTom on notice
Dutch tech site All About Phones claims that Google Maps Navigation will get a true offline mode later this summer. In December the Android app received an update that cached routes and the surrounding areas, but without a data connection you still couldn't enter a new destination. A source inside the Dutch telco industry said that Goog would removing the requirement for coverage -- an obvious next step for the nav tool, especially with Ovi Maps bringing its turn-by-turn prowess to WP7. The move is also bound to be another thorn in the side of standalone GPS makers like Garmin and TomTom. After all, it's tough to compete with free.
Apple renews Google partnership, Google Maps still in iOS 5
According to Engadget, in an interview at the D9 Conference Google's Eric Schmidt confirmed that Apple and Google will maintain their partnership in maps and search functionality in iOS. "We just renewed our map and search agreements with Apple, and we hope those continue for a long time." This may mean that Apple has put a hold on plans to institute its own mapping service, or that the service was never close to deployment to begin with. Whatever the case may be, it looks like Google Maps will be the default mapping service for iOS 5 at the very least, and possibly for some time to come.
GTA's Liberty City recreated in Google Street View, reveals your nearest Ammu-Nation
Type "Liberty City" into Google Maps and it whisks you to some place east of Wichita, Kansas. Yup, Wichita, for Pete's sake. No self-respecting Grand Theft Auto fan can stand for an omission like that, and thankfully now they don't have to. Those hardcore Niko-lovers at gta4.net have not only recreated the real fictional Liberty City using the Google Maps API, they've even cobbled together 80,000 screenshots to provide full-blown Street View too. Man, we haven't seen this much Gay Tony passion since the Trashmaster. Oh, wait a minute -- apparently this so-called Street View leaves out a couple of ramps that gta4.net considered to be "not very interesting." Hush, and you call yourselves fans?
Google Maps 5.5 for Android cops more Latitude, tweaks Places and transit pages
Last month we asked for a "funny pages" display in Google's next release of Maps that shows a thick dotted line depicting where we've traveled, but it appears the folks at El Goog had a different agenda in mind for version 5.5. This time around, we see a few redesigns as well as some streamlined Latitude features. First, check-ins and ratings have now been added to the Places page, giving you one extra point of access; you also now have the option of changing your home or work address within your Latitude Location History, in case you ever move or just like to roam from place to place. Last but not least, Google Maps 5.5 for Android also offers reorganized transit station pages that now list off upcoming departures, transit lines serving that particular station, and links to other stops nearby. Though not a substantial upgrade from previous versions, it's still impressive that Google pushed it out less than a month after 5.4. The new update is available as a free download in the Android Market.
Maps+ adds tracking and location-based alarms to Google Maps
Maps+, a new mapping app for the iPhone and iPad, has just been released. Developed by IZE, Maps+ uses Google Maps data, meaning you must have a data connection for it to work, but it adds a couple of interesting location-based features into a customizable interface that you can't get in the default iOS maps app. GPS tracking has been added, meaning you can record your route, whether you're running, cycling, driving or walking. Sounds familiar, but this time it's opt-in. You can even import or export your recorded tracks to GPX for viewing on the desktop or in other apps. Location-based alarms are also included, allowing you to set a reminder that's activated when you hit a certain location. That's handy if you're a bit forgetful and need more than just a timed alarm to jog your memory. Maps+ also comes with most of the standard features found in Google Maps, including directions with route alternatives; standard, satellite, hybrid and even terrain maps from Google; and bookmarks and address-only search (no business search is included). Maps+ is free to download, with a couple of features, such as pins, bookmarks and tracks, being limited by number. They can be unlocked via a US$2.99 in-app purchase. If the default Google Maps-based app is just a bit limited for you, then the free Maps+ is worth a look.
Google Earth gets optimized for Honeycomb tablets, interior photos hit Google Maps next week
There may have been a slight shortage of Honeycomb-optimized apps to go along with the first round of tablets, but things are now starting to pick up a bit, and Google has now filled in one more gap itself. It's just released a Honeycomb-optimized version of Google Earth, which brings with it support for fully textured 3D buildings that you can view from street level, as well as a new action bar on top that lets you jump between layers and other options. What's more, Google has also now announced that its new Business Photos feature for Google Maps (Places, specifically) will begin to roll out next week, offering what's effectively Street View for the inside of retailers and other buildings -- with the owner's permission, of course. Head on past the break for a demonstration of how it will work.
Apple confirms it's working on a traffic service, moving away from Google Maps?
It wasn't the main thrust of its "Q&A on Location Data" this morning, but Apple did also make a bit of news while it tried to ease those privacy concerns about how it's handling your data. The company says it "is now collecting anonymous traffic data to build a crowd-sourced traffic database," and that it's hoping to provide iPhone users with an "improved traffic service in the next couple of years." It didn't divulge much more than that, unfortunately, but that little detail lines up with some other navigation-related developments out of the company as of late. It acquired web mapping firm Poly9 last July (in addition to Google Maps rival Placebase in late 2009), and just last month a couple of job postings revealed that it was looking for folks to "radically improve" the iOS Maps experience. Add all those together and it's starting to look an awful lot like a shift away from Google Maps in favor of an all-Apple solution -- much like how the company relied on Skyhook until it could roll its own WiFi geolocation service.
ChargePoint lets you reserve electric charging stations, cuts down on alternative fueling fistfights
One day in the future, we'll all drive around in electric cars and gas pumps will be replaced by clean charging stations. Also, free ice cream. Until then, get in line -- or better yet, reserve a spot online courtesy of ChargePoint's online database of alternative fueling stations. The Coulomb Technologies-run site displays charging stations on a Google Map, with a colored pin letting you know in real-time whether someone is currently topping off their Tesla. If you're the type with foresight -- you did buy an electric car, after all -- you can schedule some quality time with an outlet on the site using your ChargePass card. The cost of charging is determined by the station's manager, and appointments can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance. The site has some serious competition on the EV charging map, courtesy of the newly launched GeoEVSE, a collaboration between US Department of Energy, Google, and 80 other companies. Maybe the new reservations feature will help ChargePoint win the race to your heart.
Google helps electric car owners find battery charges, peace of mind
The biggest challenge of owning an electric vehicle aside from having to awkwardly pal around with Ed Begley Jr. all of the time? Finding a place to charge it, of course. The ever-green folks at Google have teamed up with the US Department of Energy and more than 80 companies to form the GeoEVSE Forum, an organization aimed at bringing diverse electric car resources under a single umbrella. Looking for one of those elusive Best Buy charging stations? Use the Google Maps database, helmed by the DOE, which currently offers some 600 alternative fueling stations, including electric charging, hydrogen, and natural gas. Now if only it could help us find a good deal on a Tesla.
Google's Map Maker is a clone of Maps, except you can scribble local data all over it
Google may have stashed the locations of every WiFi access point and convenience store goodie the world over, but there are things that even 360-degree cameras, massive algorithms and self-driving cars can't do; things like map out the locations of all your favorite neighborhood haunts. That's why Google needs you. This week, the company unleashed Google Map Maker on the United States, which is basically a parallel version of Google Maps that anyone can add to -- fleshing out the existing grid with additional details like precise structures, secret passages, whatever you care to name. Google plans to review all crowdsourced edits, however, so it won't quite be a free-for-all -- prepare for a wee bit of skepticism when you divulge the locations of buried nuclear launch silos, alien artifacts, and your local Jedi dojo.
Nokia E7 review
Over the years, we've seen a steady stream of business and messaging-centric landscape QWERTY smartphones come and go, with HTC arguably leading the pack via its collection of Windows Mobile, Android, and WP7 devices featuring sliding keyboards and tilt-out displays. But few of HTC's offerings are as iconic or memorable as Nokia's line of Communicator clamshell phones -- starting with the Nokia 9000 in 1996, continuing with Symbian S80 models, and culminating with the Nokia E90 atop S60v3. The Nokia E7 is the latest Communicator in this distinguished series and the manufacturer's current flagship device, dethroning the Nokia N8 which continues on as the company's media mogul. A lot has changed in the six months since the N8 was introduced, including Nokia's recent partnership with Microsoft and the stunning announcement that it will be adopting Windows Phone for future high-end smartphones. So, is the E7 -- which is finally shipping in the US -- the greatest Communicator to date? Can it carry the torch for Symbian in the immediate future? And more importantly, how does it fare in today's shark-infested Android and iOS waters? Jump past the break for our full review. %Gallery-120805%
Google intros Maps 5.3 for Android, displays your life in pie charts
Just as Google Maps 5.2 was getting used to life on your Android phone, it will soon find version 5.3 moving in to take its place -- now enabling Google Latitude fans to visualize their social habits in scrutinizing statistical form. Those who enjoy digging through Google's services might recognize this feature, noting visual data have been available on the Latitude website for some time. Also, privacy advocates should take solace that Google's opt-in Location History must be enabled to partake in this fun, which may be deleted at any time -- if you've been somewhere you'd rather forget. Now that this technology is cemented, we'd love to see a 'funny pages' display in the next release, preferably with a thick dotted line depicting our travels across town (extra points for cartoon renderings). So, Google -- what's it going to be?
Google VP lays down mobile stats, boasts 150 million Maps users
Care for a cup of Google data, anyone? At SXSW, the vice president of location services, Marissa Mayer, stated some interesting facts about the state of all things mobile at the Goog. Most notably, the company provides its map service to 150 million users. Just to give you an idea of how many peeps that is -- it's about half the number of individuals in America. Crazy, we know. What's more, Mayer claimed that Google Maps guided users 12 billion miles per year and that its latest build of the app saves people an average of two days worth of travel time each year. Another bit worth noting is how the company feels about Google Maps for iPhone. "We like being the default provider, but we'd like to get some of these updates out to a broader audience. That's still a debate / question we're considering." Updates? An actual Google Maps application that works as a GPS on an iPhone? Wake us up when iOS 5 is previewed, or we can just keep dreaming.
Google adds EV charging stations to Google Maps, but you still have to drive to them yourself
If electric cars are ever going to replace their gas-guzzling ancestors, we'll inevitably need a few more places to plug in and charge up. Cue Google, who's just added a database of EV -- that's electric vehicle for you non-green folk -- charging stations to Google Maps, enabling drivers to locate places to get their juice on while on longer trips or when out of town (though without the social flare of PlugShare). We've gotta say, a future of self-driving cars that can automatically charge themselves doesn't sound too bad to us -- and spending less on gas only makes the deal even sweeter.
