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Google pushes silent update to add Google Settings app to your app drawer

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by Jared Peters on
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Google_Settings_Screenshot

By now, some of you may have noticed a new little green icon popping up in your app drawer today, titled Google Settings. The new shortcut is part of Google Play’s recent update and gives you convenient access to Google+ sign-in settings, among other settings you could previously access through other apps. So in case you were worrying about some random spam app junking up your phone, don’t be alarmed.

The app puts your settings menu from other Google apps, like G+ and Maps, in one convenient screen. It isn’t a necessity, but it gives Google some new room to work in new settings for their core applications. We can probably expect a few more settings to pop up from time to time, and I’d bet that eventually this application will be simply merged into the settings menu of Android in a future release. Until then, another little icon on your phone isn’t too big of a deal, right?

TomTom Navigation gets an update to support more devices, but still expensive

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by Alexon Enfiedjian on
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Navigation pioneer TomTom has recently updated its app to support more than 200 new Android devices– which is more than what was seen in the original app. The update includes some important features such as the ability to save map data to your SD card and a redesigned driving view to make key information more  accessible. New supported devices include the Samsung Galaxy S III, HTC One X, LG Optimus G and other smartphones with a screen resolution between 800 x 480 pixels and 1280 x 800 pixels.

TomTom’s Android app will run you about 38 bucks, while the various subscription packs costs anywhere between $43 and $75 depending on your region. I’m not sure why anyone would fork over that much cash when Google Navigation offers a free and outstanding solution. I suppose it makes sense for regions that are still not covered by Google Navigation. Hit the source link below to pick up the app for your region.

 

Play Store Download Link

Google’s Eric Schmidt sends message to Apple, explains the ‘adult way to run a business’

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by Colton Kaiser on
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While Google’s Eric Schmidt may have once served on the board of directors at Apple, that apparently hasn’t affected his impartiality. The search giant’s executive chairman took a direct shot at Apple today in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, sending the Cupertino company a personal message, letting them know that the current way they are conducting business is laughingly based on a “teenage model of competition,” as the press would like to put it.

Schmidt also expressed his dismay with Apple’s choice to drop Google Maps in iOS 6, a choice that inevitably proved embarrassing for Tim Cook and co. » Read the rest

Better Maps Headed to Your Apps

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by Sean Stewart on
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Soon, we should all see better maps within some of the apps that we use. Today, Google launched an update to their Maps API that developers will use to incorporate Google Maps into their apps. This new API version will benefit both developers on the front-end as well as users on their end. It’ll allow developers to create their map features with less code and also provide them with the ability to incorporate satellite, hybrid, terrain, traffic and indoor maps into their apps, much like Google Maps currently does. It’ll, in turn, offer end-users more robust options in their applications when viewing maps. The overall goal is to make in-app maps look very similar to Google Maps for a seamless experience for all, and this update is getting us closer.

source:  Google Blog

Google’s Eric Schmidt acknowledges the “Apple vs Android” battle while leaving Microsoft out

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by Macky Evangelista on
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In a recent interview, Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt clearly identifies Android and iOS as the only two top competitors when it comes to the mobile market and even calls it as the industries “defining contest.” With a small jab, Schmidt also claims that Google and Android are currently winning the battle and points out that there are four times more Android phones than iPhones and with 1.3 million activation’s per day, the company should reach a billion total by the end of this year. Quite mind boggling don’t you think? Especially for the early adopters as myself that were there since the beginning of this wonderful OS. Eric also couldn’t help but take another jab at Apple with their decision to go away with Google Maps and replace it with the far less superior iOS Maps. Eric was stated saying that Apple is now discovering that “maps are really hard,” opining that “Apple should have kept our maps… They’re better.”

Schmidt also pointed something out that I think Apple clearly needs to realize. While Schmidt likes to see Android on top, he admits that this intensifying rivalry between the two platforms does nothing but benefit the consumers at the end of the day.

In an interesting take, Schmidt also stated what he thinks are currently the top 4 companies in what he calls the “gang of four.” He states that Facebook, Amazon, Apple, and Google are the top 4 companies at the moment because they are all different and are all “making enormous investments.” When questioned as to why Microsoft wasn’t on the list, Schmidt said it was “intentional” because Microsoft has not brought any “state-of-the-art products” to the market as of late.

What do you guys think about Schmidt’s top 4 company list? I’d also suggest we take some time to reflect on the fact that Android is nearing its 1 billionth activation! I think it’s quite an impressive feat in such a short amount of time. So with this, I’d like to hear your guys’ Android story. How did you get into Android and when? Also, what Android device made you fall in love with the OS? It may or may not be the first Android device you owned. Let us know in the comments!

source: The Verge

Half a gigameter of bike routes added to Google Maps for Android

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by Jeff Causey on
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On the Google Lat Long Blog, Google Maps Software Engineer Larry Powelson announced the addition of new mobile biking directions and navigation to the Google Maps for Android app. Ten countries have received new biking directions including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. In addition to the biking directions, Google added turn-by-turn voice-guided navigation to the Google Maps Navigation (beta) app for every country with biking directions.

Biking routes in Google Maps will show up as different shades or styles of green lines. Dark green lines indicate dedicated bike trails or paths or streets with no traffic. Light green lines designate street with bike lanes. Dashed green lines mark other recommended bike routes.

Users in areas covered by the Google Map Maker feature can add new trails and paths to Google’s database and help their fellow bikers. In all, Google now has over 330,000 miles of bike routes mapped. That translates to over 530,000 kilometers or the half a gigameter mark. If you are ready to hit one of those trails on you bike, just strap your Android device to your handlebars and enjoy a map showing your route or get voice directions.

source: Google Lat Long Blog

Google Maps Real Time Traffic Data Expanded Worldwide, Adds 130 U.S. Cities

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by Ed Caggiani on
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First we got offline maps, then indoor maps and walking directions for museums. Now Google Maps gets even better with expanded traffic coverage worldwide. The capitals of Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama have been added, and a whopping 130 US cities will also be receiving traffic information and estimated travel times. So if you live in Kalamazoo, Michigan or Tuscaloosa, Alabama, welcome to the party!

In addition, Google has improved and expanded coverage in Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. Hit the source link for a complete list of all cities covered.

source: google lat long blog

New imagery released for Google Earth and Google Maps

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by Jeff Causey on
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Bernd Steinert, Geo Data Specialist with Google, announced on the Google Lat Long Blog today that new imagery has been added to Google’s Earth and Maps applications. The imagery consists of new, high resolution aerial and satellite images that cover 25 cities and 72 countries or regions. Some of the locations to get new aerial images include Bryce Canyon, UT; Green Bay, WI; and several locations in Spain to name a few. New satellite images are available for a long list of countries. In addition to the aerial and satellite images, new 45° imagery has been added for locations like Chicago, IL; Idaho Falls, ID; Pittsburgh, PA; and London, UK. Full lists are available by hitting the source link.

source: Google Lat Long Blog

Google Maps adds indoor maps and walking directions for 22 U.S. museums

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by Robert Nazarian on
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Indoor mapping should see a huge boom over the next year and Google Maps will most likely lead the way. They just added indoor maps and walking directions for 22 popular U.S. museums. You can now plan your route from exhibit to exhibit, including floors. All you have to do is open Google Maps on your Android phone or tablet and search for the museum that interests you. Of course, if you’re already there you can use the My location feature and get indoor walking directions.

As of right now, Google’s collection of indoor maps totals over 10,000. They only launched this program last November so that’s pretty amazing. Hit the break for the full list of museums added.

» Read the rest

Come and see the future of Google Maps

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by Chris Stewart on
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As advertised, Google lifted the lid today on exactly what it has in store for the future of Google Maps. Keen to get the jump on Apple who are rumoured to shortly be replacing Google’s ever present Maps application with it’s own iMaps alternative, Google had a lot of new features to show off.

The event fliers invited the world to ‘The next dimension of Google maps” so it came as no surprise when Google announced a huge focus on 3D mapping. Entire metropolitan landscapes will be mapped over areas with a combined population over 300 million people. If you’re wondering exactly how Google intends to accomplish such a lofty goal, prepare to be impressed. I’m sure by now you’re all familiar with the famous Google Street View cars, well get ready to watch the skies for Google’s fleet of Google Maps air-planes!

The 3D mapping may be the headline announcement however Google also announced the three principles that will drive the future of Maps; Comprehensiveness, Accuracy and Usability.

» Read the rest

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