New Version of Google Maps (11/16/2007) Available

[pvs]

According to msmobiles.com (see http://msmobiles.com/news.php/6898.html) a new version of Google Maps was released on November 16th. I have DLd it, but haven't yet installed it.

From reading about it, I am not too sure how much has changed. Here is the list the site speaks to:

Real-time traffic conditions
See where the congestion is, and estimate delays in over 30 major US metropolitan areas.

Favorite places and routes
Save time (and avoid sore thumbs) by keeping a list of residential or business locations, and driving routes.

Insta-KB-o-meter
Monitor your data consumption in real-time — just look to the top right portion of your phone screen while using Google Maps.

Enhanced business info
After selecting a particular business, select the "Details" tab for hours of operation, hotel amenities, and more.

BlackBerry support
Just visit www.google.com/gmm on your BlackBerry's web browser, and you're all set to go.


The update can be found here: http://www.google.com/gmm/GoogleMaps.CAB

Enjoy,
-pvs

[iKse]

thanks for the post, wouldn't have known about it otherwise

[damoisture]

Yeah, appreciate the heads up!

[Bbasso]

thanks for the link :)

[neshyd]

Sweet thanks for the headsup! I installed it, and it works better than ever over HSDPA and with my bt gps!

[sook]

How does this compare to LiveSearch?

[pvs]

How does this compare to LiveSearch?

I'm not really sure. LiveSearch was the best for a short while (IMO), until Google Maps came out with an executable version. I dropped LS back then, and have not looked back.

Google Maps has many nice features:
1) Look up any of your Contacts for whom you have Address Information
2) Drag-scroll around the map, in map or satellite view
3) Shows real-time traffic conditions
4) Zoom-in and out quickly and easily
5) Provides directions from point A to point B
6) Integration with GPS devices (I haven't used this, but imagine it works ok)
7) Find info on searched-for businesses and easily saving it into Contacts

Some "features" I'd like to see are:
1) Storing data in user-defined locations on the device
2) Management of that data ... selectively deleting old location searches
3) Tilting of the map aka Google Earth

Again, I don't really know how well LiveSearch has developed, so I really can't compare. But maybe you can judge for yourself from what I show above for GM.

-pvs

[sook]

I'll install it and play around with it, but from what you describe it sounds much the same. LiveSearch also has something called community search that will show you events, movies, and todos in your area, along with traffic and local gas prices.

If I read you correctly, the only thing on your list LiveSearch doesn't have is an easy way to look up contact addresses.

I will report back this weekend, either bumping this one or starting a new thread. I'm quite attached to LS, but if I can find something even better, well, right on.

[Acuum2]

ER... just in case anyone is having a blond moment like me :P

the link is CAsE SenSitivE!!

nice find.
has it got rid of those anoying no data warning messages that you had to keep clicking OK to in order to continue?

[Braingears]

I was originally using (the previous version of) Google Earth. So far, I like Microsoft Live. The addressing and directions are a LOT more accurate. When I look up addresses, google doesn't even find most of them. Live also does a lot better with one way streets and stuff like that too.

[aameerp]

Yes, Live is much, much better, even the diectory is better. Map loading seems a little quicker also.

[frenchglen]

I wish google showed on the page what version it was up to, so I can know when they've updated it.

I love google maps mobile.

[pvs]

Wow, judging by sook's and Braingears' comments, it sounds like Live Search has come a long way in the past year. Might be time to give it another shot.

And yes, frenchglen, wouldn't it be nice? I guess they have some reason to want to keep the version number a secret, eh?

-pvs