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Traveling? iPhone can help!
Update: As many noted below in the comments a lot of the functionality mentioned in the article is not iPhone-specific. As such please find below updated information providing details as to what can be accomplished on the iPhone, iPod Touch or both.If you're a road warrior and an iPhone or iPod touch owner, chances are you are not using your beloved technology to its fullest potential. There are many applications and services that can make your trip a lot less stressful so you can focus on enjoying the trip rather than making sure everything goes according to plan. Everyone by now is accustomed to using the iPhone for browsing the web while waiting for a plane or listening to music while sitting on a bus. But did you know you can do things like check in for your flight, listen to the radio in your home town from a thousand miles away, and at some airports even get through security all using just your iPhone/iPod Touch?Read on, weary travelers, if you too want to learn the many ways in which Apple's touch screen devices can make your entire traveling experience pleasant, even if you're traveling for business.
iPhone software 2.2 features Google Street View, mass transit directions
The T-Mobile G1's Google Maps Street View implementation is one of the slickest features of the first Android phone, but it looks like Apple's going to keep feature parity -- the latest builds of iPhone OS 2.2 seeded to developers have Street View, as well as the ability to give mass transit directions. That's pretty useful for cityfolk like us -- and we're also stoked that line-in audio is now supported in the SDK, giving devs the ability to create voice recorders and other interesting audio apps. Of course, there's no word on when 2.2 will actually arrive, but until then we suppose we'll live with regular, non-data-augmented streets. Lots of screenshots of the new features at the read link.[Via MacRumors]
Google Maps for mobile gets Street View and walking directions
Google Maps for mobile just stepped up in the feature department with Google's inclusion of Street View in its newest version. In case you've been hiding under a rock -- or live in almost any other country aside from the US -- Street View offers up a storefront take on your world rather than the traditional top down look you see with common maps. The new version also includes walking directions which will ignore pesky one-way streets and the like. While the list of supported handsets is missing, we do see BlackBerry listed and Java-enabled phones, too, so do us a kindness, grab it and let us know if it works on yours.
Googling BMWs coming to US streets
For more than a year lucky BMW-owning Germans have been hitting Google Maps, and more recently the rest of the Internets, at blazing (cough) EDGE speeds from their sport-seats. Now, Bimmer-owning Americans are getting a piece of the action with a little help from AT&T's GSM-friendly network. However, while there's no mention in the release, BMW Blog thinks US cars will be limited to GPRS, not EDGE. All 2009 American BMW models, except for the lowly X3 mini-'Ute (which BMW doesn't even bother to manufacture itself), will get Google Maps integration, enabling the driver or passenger to search for businesses from the dash. Directions can be piped to the car's nav system and calls placed via in-car Bluetooth. At $199 per-year it's not exactly a steal, but that does include standard BMW Assist functionality like locating your car if it's stolen or dispatching an ambulance if you're in a horrible accident. Yeah, we only care about the searching too.
Google Maps with transit directions comes to S60, Windows Mobile
Adding a feature BlackBerry users have already enjoyed for a little while now, the S60 and Windows Mobile clients for Google Maps have now been imbued with transit directions, making it easier than ever to find the closest ratty upholstered seat with puke stains on it. Actually, that's just a side effect of its real lease in life, which is finding the best way to get from point A to point B via various forms of public transit. Version 2.2, as it's playfully known, also adds business ratings, user-generated search content, and generally makes things snappier, so it seems like a pretty obvious upgrade -- particularly if you enjoy sitting next to a dude with a boombox who hasn't showered in three days.
Autoblog takes iPhone 3G's navigational abilities for a spin
Yeah, so there's still lots of confusion on whether bona fide turn-by-turn GPS software will ever arrive on the iPhone 3G (though signs are pointing to "yes"), but considering that it's not there now, Autoblog took Apple's new darling for a spin in the Bay and churned out some impressions. If you're looking for the long and short of it, the iPhone 3G's navigational abilities aren't that impressive. The reviewer even went so far as to say that having a passenger manning the arrow buttons that showed your next move was "almost a necessity." Additionally, the GPS flaked out and lagged behind the current location quite frequently, which can definitely be a problem when attempting to navigate one-way streets in an unkind downtown. So, should you sell off your standalone navigator on the way to pick up your new iPhone 3G? Probably not -- at least not just yet.
Voice search comes to Google Maps for BlackBerry devices
If you were concerned that you didn't look crazy enough screaming into your phone at business associates, family members, and the guy who does your landscaping, Google has added a feature to Maps for RIM devices which should confirm that yes: you're a total maniac. Available right now for a handful of BlackBerry phones (8110, 8120, US version of the 8130) you can grab Google Maps with voice search, which enables you to find what you're looking for by pressing the left-side button and speaking the name of a business (or location, we assume). Sure it sounds convenient, but think twice before searching for hookers or cocaine out loud -- stock brokers, you have been warned.[Via Gear Diary]
Palm launches unlocked Centro, gets Google Maps "My Location"
We've seen the Centro in its Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon (to name a few) iterations, but global roamers and free agents of all sorts will be delighted to know that Palm's increasingly popular little smartphone is now available in a delicious unlocked GSM flavor. The device sports all the same specs as AT&T's model, but clocks in with a $299 price tag and plain gray numberpad instead of the telco version's shocking lime green variation. Alongside the carrier-free phone, Centros will also be nabbing a version of Google Maps with its "My Location" feature (long absent from GMaps on Palm phones). Current AT&T and Verizon customers as well as new unlocked owners will be able to download the app tomorrow, with a software update for Sprint later this Summer. Finally, you'll all know where you are.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Explore Liberty City with Google Map application
Between the comprehensive in-game map, the GPS-imbued minimap, and the TomTom-esque functionality of certain vehicles, we've yet to misplace ourselves within Liberty City's digital boroughs. Still, if you find yourself lost whilst playing Grand Theft Auto IV, we guess this Liberty City map application (mapplication?) using the Google Maps interface would come in handy. A number of user contributions have already been made to the map, showing the location of hidden items, easter eggs, pigeon locations, stunt jumps, and yes, even hookers, whom we assume were fitted with GPS locaters by trained prostitute handlers before being released back into the wild. It makes for a useful cartographical companion for those with a laptop near their console of choice -- if you don't mind ruining the fun of exploring the nooks and crannies of Rockstar's intricately crafted metropolis for yourself, that is.
Garmin goes bonkers at CTIA, announces slew of upgrades / partnerships
Quite frankly, we're still recovering from Garmin's onslaught of GPS navigation systems at CES, but just as those last mental wounds were healing, along comes the outfit to drop yet another bomb. This time, Garmin's taking CTIA hostage and announcing a veritable smorgasbord of application upgrades and partnerships. Up first is an upgrade to Garmin Mobile, which promises to bring a new interface and Google Local search to a variety of BlackBerry, Symbian and WinMo handsets. Continuing on, we're also hearing that Garmin GPS owners can "now send locations found on Google Maps" and MapQuest, select Samsung handset owners can grab hold of Mobile Navigator and Garmin Mobile now plays nice with nTelos' lineup of BREW-enabled devices. Thirsty for more? Fantastic -- you'll be bubbling over once you get done perusing the links below.[Thanks, Allory]Read - Garmin Mobile On BlackBerry, Symbian and Windows Mobile Read - Garmin Teams with Google MapsRead - MapQuest and Garmin Announce a PartnershipRead - Garmin Provides Navigator for Samsung Mobile PhonesRead - Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry Available from Centennial WirelessRead - Garmin Mobile Turns nTelos Phones into GPS NavigatorsRead - Garmin's Fleet Management Interface Network Grows
Google Maps for mobile gets native on UIQ
There you go, now all you UIQ3 types can finally raise your mobiles and celebrate a bit of native love by way of Google Maps for mobile designed specifically for your devices. For those that don't know -- or don't care -- the native app will likely be able to take advantage of your device's touchscreen, full screen mode, and will support My Location. Sure, we know that Palm, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Symbian S60, and iPhone have had this for just about forever in mobile terms -- since months is this biz is like years in others. Though, we feel that the UIQers left out in the cold deserve their day in the sun. So, go forth, install, and get properly oriented Google-style.
TUAW Responds: iPhone LoJack
Way back, one of our readers begged for an iPhone LoJack solution. He wanted his iPhone to "call home" regularly in case of loss or, let's be more realistic, theft. Over the past week, I finally had a chance to give this request some time, and I put together findme. It's a command-line program that returns the location of the cell phone tower nearest to your iPhone. When run, it tells you the tower id, plus its latitude and longitude courtesy of Google Maps. Still, how to get the location report to a place you can get it... but nobody else can... and without receiving a zillion SMSes? For this part of the puzzle, enter Twitter. Twitter dev Britt Selvitelle helped walk me through the setup for a private account that allows your iPhone to phone home but keeps the location data relatively secure. To do this, create a new Twitter account just for your iPhone (it will need its own unique email address, separate from your main account, so have one handy). Open the Settings panel, and look for the "Protect My Updates" checkbox. It's towards the bottom of the page, just above the Save button. Check this and click Save. With protected updates, only the Twitter users you approve will see the updates for this iPhone-only account (just you? you + spouse? spouse, kids, and "special friends?" Up to you).Update: I've put an updated version of findme (findme-better) into the TUAW folder on my site. Please let me know if this works better for location for you. To use, just copy to your iPhone (you may have to use Firefox if you get errors after downloading with Safari), rename to "findme" and replace the original findme.
iPhone 1.1.3 update: Google Maps first impressions
This particular post won't be near as in-depth as one Erica might do (she knows way more about the iPhone than I) but I just wanted to share my first impressions of the new Google Maps functionality on the iPhone after today's 1.1.3 software update. Granted, some would call me crazy for updating such a critical piece of equipment as my iPhone during a busy time like Macworld. But hey, let's live on the edge, shall we?Throwing caution to the wind I made the leap and charged ahead with the update. Before I go on let me mention that I have the most vanilla iPhone out there with no hacks or custom anything (not even ringtones) so the update was a smooth process for me. In and out in under five minutes. Once done and restarted I began to explore what had changed. One of the first things I really wanted to try out was the new maps functionality. Fortunately, an opportunity put the new Google Maps through its paces presented itself immediately; I had to join my fellow TUAW crew at a Macworld party, but all I had was the address with no idea how to get there. Which direction should I go, and how far? Fortunately, these questions were no match for the iPhone's new maps functionality. To do this I first clicked on the Google Maps tool on the iPhone and then on the brand new button in the lower left corner of the screen (looks somewhat like a target crosshair) and waited a few moments while my iPhone triangulated my position using nearby cell towers. Impressively, it located my position almost exactly, and displayed it on the screen. Next, I pressed the directions button and in the new window I saw that next to "Start" was "Current Location" -- obviously where I was at the moment -- and below that I entered the address of where I wanted to go.Once done I pressed the 'Route" button and in about five seconds was presented with a detailed route to my destination complete with a purple line on the map to follow. I admit when I first heard about this feature in the 1.1.3 update I was a bit skeptical about how well it would work. I'm happy to report that, at least in this first-impressions situation, it performed exactly as advertised. Although, I guess I should have expected that from an Apple product. They do seem to pretty much always turn out well.UPDATE: OK, we fixed the title.
Kindle easter eggs: Google Maps cell-based location, picture viewer, and more
Apparently, Amazon's wondrous e-book reader, the Kindle, has more than meets the eye -- not unlike some fictional, alien, robotic characters which shall not be named. Users of the device have been plumbing its depths, and have uncovered a handful of easter eggs which will make current owners extra happy, and might push potential buyers over the edge. Amongst the hidden features are access to Google Maps coupled with CDMA-based location-finding, which also allows you to quickly locate nearby gas stations and restaurants (as well as your own custom searches). In addition to the GMaps integration, the Kindle also comes equipped with a hidden picture viewer and slideshow functionality, the ability to snap a screenshot, a clock quick-look, plus everyone's favorite time-wasting game: Minesweeper. Hit the read link to learn all about the unrevealed guts of the innocent little reader.[Via interface]
TomTom, Google Maps team up for web-to-GPS interaction
It looks like TomTom users looking for a little additional help with directions could now have the fix they've been searching for, as TomTom announced today that it's teamed up with Google in an attempt to bridge the divide between Google Maps and its array of GPS devices. To that extent, you're now apparently able to search for businesses on Google Maps and send all the necessary information straight to your TomTom GPS, albeit with TomTom's Home software acting as a mediator. That's, of course, decidedly less exciting than some of the Google Maps-to-GPS interaction we've seen in other parts of the world, but a welcome addition nonetheless.[Via CNNMoney]
Google gas pumps: the savior of lost men
Soon, you will never have to admit that you're lost and suffer the humiliation of asking for directions. Google is expected to announce a partnership today with Gilbarco Veeder-Root, to include Google's mapping service on 3,500 Internet enabled gasoline pumps across the US. The maps will be available on the pump's small screen giving motorists the ability to scroll through local landmarks, hotels, restaurants, and hospitals to the bemusement of the guy waiting behind you. The pump will even print directions. The service is said to be ad-free but will offer coupons -- that sounds a lot like advertising to us. Look for the gPumps to arrive courtesy of that Encore S rig pictured above.
Google's mobile plans to be unveiled soon
For now it's not much more than a plan to announce a plan within the next few weeks, but since it involves Google and cellphone networks, we'll take it. The Wall Street Journal has the news that Google will announce its mobile offerings within the next two weeks, which could take the form of hardware, software packages, or -- most likely -- an open platform for phones that third party developers can build on. Interaction is the key word here: Google's platform won't involve locking down features, rather, it'll open them up so that they work together. How exactly the company will execute this plan will be revealed within the immediate future: although with most phone manufacturers already subcontracting development of their phone's software platforms, it doesn't sound like it should be too difficult a job to muscle in.[Thanks, Harry; via MarketWatch. Image credit]
Google Maps gets cozy with N95's internal GPS
Google Maps is good -- some might say great, actually -- but one of the biggest beefs from the get-go was its inability to use GPS receivers, and when it finally "supported" them, many didn't work. Symbian-Guru had obviously been circling the Google Maps camp like a hawk (as have many N95 owners), waiting for the day that the Nokia superphone's integrated GPS would work. Don't get us wrong, Nokia Maps is a fine application, but Google Maps has a certain mystique about it (traffic and satellite imagery, perhaps?) that make it worthwhile, too. Anyhoo, there's a native version of Google Maps for the N95 available immediately, featuring the aforementioned GPS support plus a direct save-to-contacts feature that's sure to see some heavy use. Grab it now![Via Symbian-Guru]
iPhone 101: Bookmark travel destinations
I did some traveling this summer (with two toddlers, so don't be envious). Certain that I'd need to conduct a search or two, I bookmarked my destinations on my iPhone, and you can do the same. Just follow the steps: Launch Google Maps. Enter the zip code of your destination city. Once it has been found, create a bookmark. Repeat for each stop you'll make. Now, when you're jonesing for a venti iced green tea latte in a strange place, simply launch Maps, click Bookmarks and then your location. You'll be sippin' in no time.
iPhone 101: Zooming in and out of maps
In the iPhone Google Maps application, it's pretty obvious how to zoom into maps. You double tap the screen. The map readjusts, zooming further in. So how do you zoom out? Sure you can pinch your way back but there's a far easier way. Use a single multi-touch tap instead. That is, tap with two finger at once. Separate your fingers so it's clear that you're making two contact points and...tap. Google Maps obediently zooms back out, one zoom stage for each multi-touch tap. Give it a try. It's a great tool to bring into your Google Maps vocabulary.
