Hasta La Gadget!

Google intends to launch a new version of Google Maps for Android to coincide with Apple’s release of iOS 6, which will strip the search giant’s mapping software from iPhones and iPads. The updated Android app will synchronize better with multiple devices, Google VP of engineering for maps Brian McClendon told the NYTimes, with search results discovered on the desktop more readily available on a mobile device.

“Typing on a phone is slow, and our goal is to reduce the amount of typing as much as possible” McClendon explained. If users are logged into the same Google account on both phone and browser, typing a search term on the phone that has previously been looked up on the desktop version will pull over an auto-complete suggestion, saving your fingers.

The update is a timely one, as it arrives when Apple pushes out its own rival software for mapping on iOS devices. While the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch have relied on Google’s software until now, the Android/iOS rivalry has prompted Apple to create its own version, with TomTom mapping data and a new “flyover” feature with 3D and photo graphics of cities.

iOS 6 features on the iPhone 5:

Google declined to comment on Apple’s new Maps application, but McClendon did point out that “experience is important.” Apple lacks a search engine of its own, something Google relies on to feed Google Maps with contextual information.

iOS 6 is expected to drop for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPad 2, new iPad, and iPod touch owners at roughly 1PM ET today. Google has not said exactly when its update will go live.

[via The Verge]

Google Maps for Android update reportedly timed for iOS 6 coincide is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Shortly before the reveal of Amazon‘s new line up of Kindle Fire tablets – including a refresh of the original Kindle Fire and the new Kindle Fire HD – we heard whispers that the company was joining forces with Nokia for its mapping service. The rumor didn’t come as much of a surprise, considering that Amazon has cut Google out of the loop considerably with its Kindle Fire line, but today is the first time we’ve received confirmation that Amazon has indeed licensed Nokia’s Location Platform.

Nokia spokesperson Dr. Sebastian Kurme confirmed the rumors to the The Next Web, saying in a statement that Amazon’s decision is “further proof point that our competence in this space is a key differentiator also for other leading players in the industry to offer great location consumer experiences.” Though Google Maps is the more popular mapping and navigation service, the Nokia Location Platform has won a fair number very pleased fans, and it’s already used in services like Yahoo! Maps and Bing Maps.

Amazon has already rolled out a Maps API to allow developers to integrate location data into their Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD apps, and now we know that Amazon will be using Nokia’s Location Platform as the backbone of its mapping service. It wasn’t too long ago that we heard Amazon will be making Bing the default search engine of the Kindle Fire line up, further distancing itself from Google. Naturally, the Kindle Fire family comes equipped with Amazon’s online storefront rather than the Google Play Store, which we see running on most other Android-based devices.

Of course, Nokia’s Location Platform is also used in Nokia Drive, which has featured prominently on Windows Phone devices. With Windows Phone 8 just around the corner and Amazon’s new Kindle Fire line getting some major attention, it looks Nokia has an excellent opportunity to position itself as a key player in the mapping space, so the further development of its Location Platform is definitely something to watch. Keep it tuned here to SlashGear for more information.

Amazon picks Nokia Location Platform for mapping service is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

What we wouldn’t give to have access to Google’s treasure trove of human wonderings. Every day millions of folk tell the search giant exactly what they are thinking about, without even realizing it. It’s not all take take take, though, as Mountain View has just released some data letting us all know what we and our (geographical) neighbors did this summer. By compiling popular search terms used in Google Maps between May and September, we can see that, while Canadians and the Spanish were looking for the beach, Britons were more partial to a game of Squash, or a trip around Trafalgar Square. Back home, Death Valley, Redwood and Yosemite National Parks were earning the most interest, while Paintball was the top activity — but we’re hoping the two are unrelated. Want to see how the Dutch like to unwind, or how Indians like to cool off? Jump on the tour bus source link to find out more.

Filed under: Internet

Google knows what you did this summer, shares it with the world originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Sep 2012 08:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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