Like so many things in life, Apple’s horrific new Maps app would be funny if it weren’t so sad. But after Apple decided to ditch Google Maps for its own troubled offering in iOS 6, users have been left with bad directions, incorrect business listings, and a missing Statue of Liberty. More »
While Google Maps may have found itself on the outside looking in on the just-released iOS 6, it’s got a fresh update for Android devices that makes sure any locations you’ve searched are right at your fingertips. Rolling out now in Google Play, it includes results from your search and directions history (whether on your phone or on a PC that you were logged in to) whenever you start a new search, and in the search or directions tab under My Places. The other tweak noted in the changelog is the ability to zoom with just one finger — double tap the map then hold down your finger and slide. There’s no word specifically on what’s in store for Apple’s hardware but the final line of the blog post mentions improving the Google Maps experience across all devices — draw your own conclusions from that.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile
Google Maps for Android update brings your full location search history to handhelds originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The move from Google Maps to Apple’s homespun cartography in iOS 6 has been a sticking point for people, largely because it’s the turd in a very ornate punch bowl. And while Apple’s fancy 3D maps were supposed to tide us over until the rest of Maps got better, they seem to be having their own problems. So we’ve gone ahead and rounded up some of the more… interesting deviations. More »
Traditionally, maps were made to help people find their way around a city that they might be visiting for the first time. However, Kate McLean took the basic concept of the map and spun it around to come up with an all-new series that have made the jump from being reference materials to art: the Sensory Maps.
Instead of telling you where certain streets or landmarks are located, Kate’s sensory maps will instead let you know what it would feel like if you were actually there. How? By letting you smell its scents, taste the surrounding atmosphere, feel whatever might be there, and hear the sounds in that location.
Of course, it would be impossible to let you experience all these senses through a map – but that’s what your imagination is for, right?
To construct some of the maps, Kate invited people to go to her studio and smell bottles with scents in them. She then had them recall what that scent remind them of and write down the place or feeling that they associated with the smell.
That’s a lot of work, considering that this is just for one of the senses that Kate’s trying to capture in her work.
[via Pop Up City]
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.
Well, Amazon is being pretty tight lipped about the details of its mapping service, but Nokia isn’t afraid to spill the beans. A spokesperson for the Finish company, Sebastian Kurme, told The Next Web that Amazon is indeed licensing the Nokia Location Platform for its latest Google-shunning product. We reached out as well and were fed the exact same official statement, confirming that Nokia is becoming an even bigger player in the mapping sphere. The platform is already the basis for Yahoo! Maps and a large portion of Bing’s offerings as well. Not to mention Nokia Drive, the company’s navigation software, is one of the crown jewels of the Windows Phone world. Check out the full statement from Nokia below.
Amazon is licensing the Nokia Location Platform (NLP) for maps and geocoding.
The Nokia Location Platform is the most advanced mobile location platform with a unique global footprint. It provides maps for almost 200 countries (with more than 100 of them navigable) and provides the best, automotive-grade map quality based on industry-leading technology and more than 20 years expertise in mapping.
Amongst others, it is already powering Yahoo Maps, and increasingly also powering Bing Maps as well.
Location is playing a central role in our strategy, and because of its global footprint, quality and completeness of performance (geocoding, routing, traffic) the Nokia Location Platform offers great opportunities for 3rd parties to build upon.
Amazon´s decision to choose the Nokia Location Platform 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.
Filed under: Software
Nokia cops to powering Amazon’s mapping service originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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.
If there is one thing you can’t say about Google’s mapping team, it’s that they are a lazy bunch. Update after update puts paid to any of that kinda talk, and again, here’s another example — navigation for Android is now available in nine more countries. It’s the Middle East and North Africa that get the attention this time, with Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Qatar, Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE and Saudia Arabia all getting the update. The service comes complete with Arabic voice search as well as “search along route” for routes to near-by POIs that won’t take you the long way round. You’ll need Android 4.0 or above if you want in on the action, but it’s available now for those that do.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile
Google Maps Navigation for Android hits nine MENA nations, adds Arabic voice search originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 16:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The iPhone 5 will be the first device to bring on iOS 6, the system from Apple that’ll have the company’s first mobile turn-by-turn navigation system as well as 3D mapping, and today Apple has listed the regions where each feature will be appearing. Traffic, 3D buildings (aka Flyover), and turn-by-turn navigation are limited to a certain set of countries at the launch of iOS 6 for not only iPhone 5 but the rest of the compatible list of Apple mobile devices as well. While 3D buildings is limited at the moment to the USA, traffic is open to a much larger list – and turn-by-turn navigation is ready for almost everywhere.
The list begins with turn-by-turn navigation covering everywhere from the USA to Israel to Hong Kong and back again. New Zealand is included, as is the UK, and Sweden and Romania get to join in on the fun as well. Siri support for international destinations – a list of compatibility, that is – has been revealed and updated with Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, UK and the USA on the list. Siri Twitter integration and Facebook integration have been listed too with 14 countries on the list.
Dictation support has been extended to a list of 15 countries, while Siri restaurant reservations are currently set for Canada, Mexico, and the USA. Siri’s sports support – new to iOS 6 also – will be appearing in the USA, UK, Mexico, and s list of 12 other countries. Siri Movie Information will be popping up in 13 countries while Siri Movie Reviews will be in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA. Movie Showtimes will be in Canada, the UK, and the USA.
The USA is the only region to be included in the full list of iOS 6 features at launch time, with 3D Buildings being the only item that the UK is not included on – otherwise its the UK and the USA on ever single list. Have a peek at our Apple portal for more information on the devices and services launched this week, and don’t forget to check our our iPhone 5 hands-on as well – with more on the way!
iOS 6 and iPhone 5 features availability listed by region is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
In an effort to let its customers know exactly what they’ll get when the iPhone 5 (and downloadable updates) arrive in their country, Apple has broken down what iOS 6 will offer in different territories. US customers will get the full bounty that the mobile OS has to offer, being the only country whose maps will be peppered with 3D buildings. A pretty comprehensive list of 23 iPhone-enraptured countries will join the US in claiming turn-by-turn navigation and traffic information, including most of western Europe, Australia, China and Canada. 49 countries will get their maps augmented by local search results, while directions and satellite imaging will arrive on an even larger list of places you’ll now need to visit.
Siri content, meanwhile, is a little leaner, with the likes of the UK, Japan, Canada and Australia all joining the US on some pretty short lists, gaining Twitter, Sport, Facebook and local search integration. Movie content, including reviews and showtimes, will only be fully enabled in the USA, UK and Canada. Check Apple’s full breakdown at the source below.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software
Apple gives region-by-region breakdown of iOS 6 capabilities: specifies Siri and Maps functionality originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 11:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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