google maps

mobile
March 13, 2011
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Google VP Marissa Mayer dishes Google mobile stats, 150M mobile maps users

By on March 13, 2011 at 10:04 AM.

Google VP Marissa Mayer dishes Google mobile stats, 150M mobile maps users

At SXSW, Google’s VP of  Location and Local Services, Marissa Mayer, took the stage and dished out some interesting Google data, including mobile stats. During her talk, Mayer revealed the following statistics we found interesting:

  • 40% of all Google Maps usage is from mobile devices, and Christmas and New Years day mobile usage surpassed desktop usage for the first time.
  • 150 million mobile users on Google Maps
  • Google Maps Navigation, included on Android handsets, has guided users 12 billion miles a year, and the latest version with traffic routing saves users 2 years per day in time that would have been spent in traffic.
  • Google Maps could get smarter, and become contextually aware. For instance, if you were trying to catch a flight, Google Maps could see your flight schedule to see when your flight was, then look and analyze real-time traffic data and weather conditions to try and figure out the exact time you should leave
  • Google would like there to be better 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.”

With Google’s Android explosion continuing, it looks like there will plenty more Google Maps and Navigation users over the next few years.

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Software
March 7, 2011
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Google adds real-time traffic routing to Maps for Android; aims to keep you out of jams

By on March 7, 2011 at 2:42 PM.

Google adds real-time traffic routing to Maps for Android; aims to keep you out of jams

Oh Google Maps, is there anything you can’t do? Via a blog post just moments ago, Google announced an incremental update to its Maps application for Android. The update, which is still technically in beta, brings real-time traffic routing right to your smartphone. “You don’t have to do anything to be routed around traffic; just start Navigation like you normally would, either from the Navigation app or from within Google Maps,” reads the announcement. “Before today, Navigation would choose whichever route was fastest, without taking current traffic conditions into account.” The software will work in both North America and Europe, and is waiting for you in the Android Market. Enjoy. More →

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Software
March 4, 2011
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Google Maps 5.2 hits the Android Market

By on March 4, 2011 at 5:30 AM.

Google Maps 5.2 hits the Android Market

It looks like the gang from Mountain View have pushed Google Maps 5.2 to the Android Market. Aside from the standard performance improvements, the update adds the ability to post place-ratings directly to Twitter and “ping” friends to request check-ins. Google reminds you that both parties using Maps must be on version 5.2 to take advantage of the ping feature… so be a friend and remind your amigos to update. More →

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Services
October 20, 2010
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TomTom and HTC join forces to battle Google

By on October 20, 2010 at 12:43 PM.

TomTom and HTC join forces to battle Google


On a brisk day in October almost a year ago, Google announced Android 2.0 alongside the Motorola DROID. On that same day, satellite navigation companies like Garmin and TomTom saw their stock prices deflate faster than Yankees fans’ spirits in the sixth inning last night. This was no coincidence. With Android 2.0, Google announced the addition of free satellite-guided turn-by-turn navigation to its popular Google Maps service. Garmin and TomTom both saw mobile as a big part of their futures, and here Google was breaking the space wide open. How can paid services possibly compete?

Netherlands-based navigation giant TomTom found at least one possible answer to that question this morning when it announced a new partnership with HTC. It is becoming increasingly difficult to sell smartphone-based navigation products directly to consumers, so the key is to get manufacturers and carriers to pay for these solutions — and to pay for new solutions that utilize the current Location Based Services (LBS) craze. TomTom, after all, provides much more functional and polished mobile navigation solutions than Google ever will.

The new deal announced this morning places TomTom’s maps in HTC’s new integrated navigation solution, HTC Locations, which HTC calls a “zero-wait navigation experience”. The service will initially be available on the HTC Desire HD and HTC Desire Z, and only in Europe and Asia. HTC Locations will expand to new devices and regions, though no further release schedule was provided.

The catch? HTC Locations will be free to end users, along with some basic functionality. Turn-by-turn navigation, however, will be a premium paid add-on, making it a much less appealing option than it could have been if HTC ate the expense as a value-add. Unless HTC decides to block Google Maps Navigation from its HTC Locations-equipped devices, we don’t see this new deal going very far at all. Sorry TomTom, looks like you’ll have to reroute your trip yet again. More →

29 Comments
Software
June 8, 2010
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Google Maps previews added to Gmail and Buzz

By on June 8, 2010 at 7:50 AM.

Google Maps previews added to Gmail and Buzz

maps_in_mail

How about some news for all you Google Maps enthusiasts? Today, Google has announced the addition of inline Map previews for its Gmail and Buzz products. The new feature will insert an interactive Google Map into your email or Buzz post containing address data or links to Google Maps. However, as Google notes: “Any Google Maps URL will work, but we currently only extract US addresses (we’re working on making addresses around the world work).” The new feature, as with all new Google features, can be switched on via the “Labs” preference pane. Happy mapping. More →

7 Comments
Software
March 11, 2010
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Motorola to ditch Google and use Bing search and maps in China

By on March 11, 2010 at 8:01 AM.

Motorola to ditch Google and use Bing search and maps in China

motobingIt’s no secret that Google and China aren’t exactly BFFs at the moment, but now Motorola has thrown its hat into the foray in a rather large way in order to protect its own interests and presumably make a nice bit of coin while doing so. As of this quarter, all of Motorola’s Android smartphones sold in China will see Google search and Google Maps replaced by Bing search and Bing Maps. Devices currently in the hands of consumers or sitting unsold on store shelves will be getting an OTA update sometime in the not too distant future. Both Motorola and Microsoft have not announced any specific plans to expand on their partnership outside of China — one could argue it’s already in the US — but based upon our understanding of the term “global alliance”, we don’t doubt for a second that this partnership will be forced upon other markets. More →

43 Comments
News
February 5, 2010
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Motorola DROID gets Google Maps 3.4, multitouch ensues

By on February 5, 2010 at 5:57 PM.

Motorola DROID gets Google Maps 3.4, multitouch ensues

DroidLarge

Any Motorola DROID owners out there still feeling a bit slighted from Google enabling multitouch for the HTC Nexus One? Well, cheer up. Today, Google released an update to its Maps application — version 3.4.0 — and it brings multitouch pinchy, zoomy functionality to your DROID. Other changes to the new build include:

  • Starred items from google.com now sync with maps
  • Search suggestions from maps include maps.google.com search history
  • Night mode navigation

You can head over to the Android Market to get the latest bits and try out multitouch, and the other goodies, for yourself.

71 Comments
Services
December 7, 2009
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"Google Favorite Places" gives QR barcodes to businesses

By on December 7, 2009 at 4:43 PM.

"Google Favorite Places" gives QR barcodes to businesses

Google Favorite Places

Today, Google announced a new service that it will be giving to popular businesses around the country, a service to be called “Google Favorite Places,” and the idea is fairly simple. Google has mailed customized window stickers to business across the U.S. that are frequently searched for on google.com or in Google Maps — 100,00 have been sent out so far. Each sticker bears a QR barcode ready to be scanned by a cell phone reader, when scanned the code provides a link to Google’s entry for the local business which contains general information, reviews, coupons, and other pertinent information. Favorite Places also has a website were you can check out what Google classifies as a “favorite” in your area. So simple it might work?  We’re not sure, but we do have the silent video Google made to go along with this project queued up for you after the break. More →

30 Comments
General
December 5, 2009
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Google Maps gets updated to version 3.3 for Windows Mobile and Symbian

By on December 5, 2009 at 4:51 PM.

Google Maps gets updated to version 3.3 for Windows Mobile and Symbian

Windows Mobile and Symbian users don’t ever have to worry about getting lost or having to remember their favorite places again. Google recently announced that Google Maps has been upgraded to version 3.3 for Windows Mobile and Symbian. The upgrade now allows you mark your favorite items with a star and keep those synced between your computer and phone. As soon as you upgrade on your WinMo or Symbian device, Google will ask if you want those starred items synchronized between your phone and Google Account. For those of you that rely on starred items in Google Maps, you’ll also be happy to know that you don’t have to go through each favorite spot individually on your phone. More →

13 Comments
Services
October 8, 2009
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Google Street View goes live for iPhones in Canada, stalkers rejoice

By on October 8, 2009 at 7:08 AM.

Google Street View goes live for iPhones in Canada, stalkers rejoice

street-view-canada

After being ousted from the Great North by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in 2007, Google has been given a reprieve in some Canadian cities. Greater Toronto, Montréal, Metro Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary and other large communities now have Google Street view data available both in the browser and on the iPhone in the Maps application. According to CBC News, Google continued to film some of Canada’s major cities while trying to address the privacy concerns of the Commissioner. Sneaky, sneaky. If you want to get your Street View on, it’s available for use as of today.

[Via The iPhone blog]

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8 Comments
News
March 26, 2009
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Google Mobile app with voice search now available for BlackBerry

By on March 26, 2009 at 7:44 AM.

Google Mobile app with voice search now available for BlackBerry

Many BlackBerry users had a little iPhone envy when Google first released its mobile app with voice search for the iPhone. We all knew ‘Berry’s day would come however, and this morning Google announced the Google Mobile App for BlackBerry with voice search. Gone are the days when we had to spend that extra two seconds to type in our search — unless of course the voice search gets buggy as the iPhone version sometimes does. You can also use Google Maps, Gmail and all things Google (well, almost) in the app which makes searches and location-specific queries a breeze. Speak clearly and normally when using the voice search and results are quite accurate; there is even a British English feature as well if you have a heavy accent. So get to downloading if you have BlackBerry OS 4.1 or higher, but note that voice search only works for 4.2 and above.

Thanks, Nan!

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General
November 21, 2008
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Apple iPhone 2.2 update is finally here

By on November 21, 2008 at 8:51 AM.

Apple iPhone 2.2 update is finally here

Hey ladies and gents, the long-awaited iPhone update, which includes Google Maps Street View, is finally here and ready for your downloading pleasure. At 246MB, it’s going to take a little while before you can enjoy all that 2.2 has to offer. New features include, of course, Street View for Google Maps and walking and public transportation directions. Perfect for you city-dwellers. The update also fixes call failures and dropped calls – a definite bonus for those of you who have experiencing a little trouble with making, or even the inability to make, calls. Another big addition to the iPhone is the ability to stream and download podcasts straight through iTunes over WiFi and the network – bonus! So, fire up your computers and get crackin’ as this new update shows a lot of promise and improvements to an already solid OS.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

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Software
September 11, 2008
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Google launches Google Mobile App for BlackBerry

By on September 11, 2008 at 3:11 PM.

Google launches Google Mobile App for BlackBerry

You Google-loving BlackBerry users have a new app to install on your handset as Google has officially launched its Google Mobile App for BlackBerry. More or less an aggregator/launcher, the app bundles Google search together with Google’s other BlackBerry apps and its online mobile services. Integrated within a single interface is Google Mail for BlackBerry, Google Maps for BlackBerry, and Google Sync for BlackBerry. If you setup your Google username and password, you can also get one-click access to Google News, Google Reader, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Picasa Web albums and Google notebook. Finally, no more annoying login screens (yay!) which may be the most compelling reason to download this simple launcher masquerading as a full fledged app.

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