Posts Tagged ‘google maps’

The latest version of the Google Maps app 6.0 for Android has an interesting new feature: indoor navigation. Until now, users could find their way outdoors thanks to a handy blue dot showing the user’s current location. Now, users can take advantage of this option indoors. Read the rest of this entry »

Last week, Google announced in its new “helicopter view” feature for Google Maps. Paul Yang, Google Maps engineer, wrote the following:
“Getting directions is one of the most popular features on Google Maps, whether it be for driving, walking, biking or transit. Today, we are launching a new feature that allows you to bring your upcoming trip to life, by allowing you to preview your route in 3D.” Read the rest of this entry »

The search engine giant has updated its Transit feature both in the mobile as well as the internet version of its local search Google Maps: starting immediately, the service will display departure times from busses and trains in realtime. Read the rest of this entry »

While Microsoft is worrying about dealing with German data protection agents for its geodata-service Streetside as part of the local search engine Bing Maps, Google’s panorama view service is worrying about much different things. Media reports have reported that the company will be putting a stop to its project Street View in Germany. This isn’t the case, however. The quote from a Google representative was misinterpreted. Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s a warning for data and consumer protection specialists! Google will be sending its fleet back onto the German roads. Mountain View assures, however, that this has nothing to do with Street View.
It has a lot more to do with increasing the quality of data for Google Maps – for now. No wonder, especially if one considers that Street View is still the “freestyle” form of local searching, which implies the search engine has quite a bit of homework to take care of. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s pretty apparent that Google wants to boost its own rating portal: with the new iPhone app Google Places, the company’s rating service Hotpot is automatically integrated. Only a day before, the search engine giant set up its map service Google Maps to be integrated with Hotpot for its desktop users.
Those that download the app from the app store for the iPhone will be able to locate restaurants, cafés, hotels, tourist attractions, and other locations within the vicinity. And since we all trust our friends better than some random person online, the ratings and recommendations of Google’s rating community Hotpot are all features with the results. The only requirement to use this function is to be registered. For those that regularly discover new places to be, reviews can be posted on-the-go using their mobile. The app has been available in English for quite some time, but according to the Google-Blog, other languages will be available soon, as well as some new features. Read the rest of this entry »

Last week, Nicaraguan soldiers began to excavate the Rio San Juan, to build a tent camp on the island of Calero, and to hoist the Nicaraguan flag because the island, according to the map data of Google Maps, clearly belongs to Nicaragua, which has rekindled a conflict between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Read the rest of this entry »

The Berlin-based Yoc-Group has officially „pimped“ the iPhone App for the Deutsche Post (German Post). Not only is „Post Mobile“ 2.0 optimized for the iPhone 4, but it now offers an augmented reality.
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Hopefully not too late: Google opened its new localization service Latitude using the API of other developers. Mountain View has (finally) opened itself up to check-in features modeled after the main competitor Foursquare. Read the rest of this entry »

Just how user friendly are local search engines? This was proofed by Sonja Quirmbach, the search engine expert from the Deutsche Telekom, with Dr. Dirk Lewandowski, professor at the Hamburg University of Applied Scientists. Participants took Google Maps, Bing Maps, and the local search from T-Online under the scope. And the winner? Google. Here is the entry from Sonja Quirmbach:

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