Rather neatly, Hawaii has become the 50th US state to be pictured in Street View on Google Maps. Offering imagery of Oahu and Maui, the site has categorised collections including "hometown favourites of President Obama".

Although no doubt Scunthorpe, Glasgow and Swansea offer some delightful aspects in Street View, the Hawaiian vistas could be said to be particularly picturesque - for beach lovers, at least.

In addition, Street View has added imagery from Mexico for the first time, covering Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Puebla, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.

Read

Tags: Software Online Google Maps Street View

Hawaii becomes 50th US state in Street View originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:48:41 +0000

The presence of a mysterious town on Google Maps has stumped locals, the online giant and its mapping data provider.

It seems no-one can explain why "Argleton" in Lancashire, a town that does not exist, appears in the L39 postcode area just south of Ormskirk.

According to locals, where Argleton should be is just "acres of green, empty fields".

Exciting conspiracy theorists, Argleton is an anagram of "Not Real G". As an aside, it's also an anagram of "toe gnarl", "rant ogle", "oral gent" and "lot anger".

"While the vast majority of this information is correct there are occasional errors", Google told The Telegraph, on Hallowe'en.

A spokesperson for Tele Atlas, the company behind Google Map's data said: "Mistakes like this are not common, and I really can't explain why these anomalies get into our database".

Mapping companies do add errors to their maps for copyright protection reasons, but it's said to be unusual for such an error to be the creation of an entire town.

?

Read

Tags: Software Google Google Maps Online GPS software Tele Atlas

Phantom town appears on Google Maps originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:28:41 +0000

Google Maps Navigation for Android 2.0 will not just be setting the cat amongst the pigeons but is probably more akin to handing a rocket launcher to our feline friend as well. From demonstration, the turn by turn satnav system has got several advantages over traditional PND devices from the off but if you need convincing, hereare five reasons why you might want to try it and a few just to make you think again.

More accurate maps

One of the problems with satnav devices is that they often rely on outmoded maps usually either supplied by Tele Atlas or Navteq. The trouble is that, not only are these maps slightly inaccurate on purpose, but roads change quite frequently and theses companies can only send round cars to check once every 18 months or so. Recently Google started crowd sourcing corrections much as the OpenStreepMap project does, which means that the internet giant's atlas is going to be more accurate than on any other navigational device. Perhaps it's only a relatively small amount, but take into consideration the updates to way points and business addresses too and it becomes more important. Nothing more frustrating than to drive all the way to a museum to find it's closed or not even there any more.

Superior search

You don't have to just search for a destination or address but you've got the whole of Google's database to rely on for finding a place you want, and you're not going to find one on any PND as good as that. It's up to date and comprehensive and it'll even search specifically places along the corridor of your route. While most satnavs have a set number of way-points, this system will find you just about anything. If you're looking for a spanner on the way to fix your girlfriend's car, then it'll take you via the appropriate hardware store with just the one you need. Scarily, it's probably the ultimate on the move tool for stalkers for the same reasons too.

Voice Control

This is one of those areas that you really need to have tried out before we know whether it's a boon or not but, potentially, a voice activated satnav is a lot easier and a lot safer while drivers are supposed to be keeping their eyes on the road. You can use it just as you would a Google search and demand the same parameters, even if they're fairly vague - eg: cinema in East London that shows art house films. It'll then direct you to Rich Mix or Rio or any suggestion for the theatre you're after. Naturally, traffic noises, the radio, kids in the back or a poor mic on your handset could completely scupper this one but it's a nice idea. It did also seem to take the phone a little while to register in the demo video but at least it cuts down on finger work for long search enquiries.

More views

While traditional hardware satnavs recently added 3D views to their maps and a few landmarks too, these have only ever been in place for a limited number of roads and cities. GMN can offer a complete set of satellite maps with which you can zoom in to road level detail plus there's also Street View for a few parts of the world to offer drivers an exact picture of what the upcoming junction may look like. You might not use it all the time but that's one feature you just can't compete with.

Live traffic integration

We were calling for this one for years before the satnav companies finally linked up the traffic reports with route guidance to give us now, not only the shortest journey from A to B but also the fastest as well. The trick here for Google is the way they've shown it on the UI and the fact that it comes at no extra cost as well. The traffic view mode highlights sections of your route in either green, yellow or red depending on how heavy going the conditions are. If you're not happy with what you see, you can get the software to re-route for you.

It's free!

There's probably quite a bit of egg being wiped off TomTom's faces right now and, if there isn't, it's because the company must be too busy worrying just how it's going to convince consumers to pay the ?59 for the mobile app when it launches on Android. It might also tempt a few potential iPhone users away from the platform, but then we all know that that Apple logo doesn't come cheap. The fact is that whatever satnav hardware or other navigation mobile software manufacturers can offer - which is probably going to be a lot less than this Google package anyway - it's going to be next to impossible to beat them on price, and, as a race of thoroughbred cheapskates, that means a lot.

So, Google seems to be right on the money with this but it's not all roses. There could be a few problems with the software's implementation and practical use in the field. Most of them are centred around the age old issue of the software they can account for, but over the hardware that runs it, Google has a lot less control.

Sucks up battery

If you're using GMN on your Android phone then it's going to tear through the battery, which is massive issue as smartphones get smarter anyway. You'll have to find an adaptor for your 12V car socket or you can kiss goodbye to complete route guidance, let alone a day of actual phone use. This, of course, isn't so much of a problem with a traditional satnav. You're not going to need one of them to make a phone call after you get out of the car.

Small Screen

The very smallest satnavs have got 3-inch displays and many people prefer something around 5 inches for a decent route guider. There's not a lot of phones out there with that kind of pixel power and it's really a tablet that you're going to need to offer that kind of size.

Touchscreen trouble

The whole system is going to rely on a decent interface. Google can take care of one end but there's nothing more frustrating than a satnav with a dead touchscreen. This is not the kind of thing that'll make the GMN experience a joy. Pick the wrong phone and you might never use the service again. The same is true of the microphoneto to a lesser extent, but that would only affect the voice control feature.

Less of a navigational pedigree

Now, it might be that Google gets it bang on but TomTom, Navman and co have been practicing with their market for many years. There are touches in their systems like fuel counting and economy settings that don't appear to be part of GMN as it stands. Until we get a good look at the system, we're not going to know what else might have been missed out. Also, as far as commercial organisations go, it's a lot cheaper to buy their drivers PNDs than it is to fork out for Android handsets and educate their employees on how to use them.

?

?

?

?

?

Related links:

• News - Google to add free turn-by-turn navigation functionality to Maps on Android 2.0 phones

Tags: Phones Android Google Google Maps GPS software GPS Software Android 2.0 Street View Video Google Maps Navigation

Six serious reasons why Google Maps Navigation is pure win... originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:54:47 +0000

Google has just thrown somewhat of a spanner in the works for satnav hardware and software companies as it has revealed it is to offer free turn-by-turn navigation functionality to its Maps product that will be offered in Android 2.0 devices.

"Maps Navigation" will debut in beta by default on all Android 2.0 devices and appears to offer a comprehensive satnav service that integrates Google's two very popular products, satellite and Street View, which could be used for the likes of lane guidance.

Hit play on the video above from Engadget that sees a Google product manager giving an overview of the potentially disruptive new service and we'll bring you more on this breaking news as we have it.

Read

Related links:

• Feature - Six serious reasons why Google Maps Navigation is pure win...

Tags: Phones Android Google Google Maps GPS software GPS Software Android 2.0 Street View Video

Google to add free turn-by-turn navigation functionality to Maps on Android 2.0 phones originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:35:06 +0000

Google's Earth and Maps applications are fantastic, but they have a slight problem - they're flat. The vast majority of locations have some form of terrain data - but that data comes from satellites which can't work out individual buildings. Some cities, like San Francisco, have had their terrain modelled, but most are featureless.

Google doesn't have the manpower to model all those buildings itself, so instead it's turning to the wilds of the Internet for help. It's launched Building Maker, which allows anyone to pick a spot on the globe and start making buildings out of simple 3D shapes. Whole buildings can be put together within minutes.

At the moment, only 50 cities are accessible. Only two of those are in the UK - Cardiff and Birmingham. If you're not sure where to start, then, Google will offer you a random location in a city worldwide instead. It's all done within the browser, though you might need a few plugins to make it work.

When you've made your model, you can keep track in your Google account of what you've built, and go back and edit models at a later date. You'll be credited for any buildings that you contribute.

In our brief testing, we found it lots of fun, if a little tricky to get the exact positions of the corners right. If you find you're having trouble lining something up right, then it's often easier to delete that block and start from scratch, but experimentation will give you most of the knowledge you need relatively quickly.

Read

Related links:

• News - Google Earth simulates climate change

Tags: Software Online Google Google Earth Google Maps Google Building Maker Video

VIDEO: Google Earth Building Maker unveiled originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:50:02 +0100

Google has announced a new way to keep its Maps up to date with the introduction of the "report a problem" functionality.?

Google Maps users can now highlight changes to their neighbourhoods ("after all, the best expert on where you live is you") and Google will keep users informed as to the status of the amend.

In addition, changes to points of interest can be done directly by the user, with changes going live straight away. Hit play on the video above to see Google's official take on the matter.

Tags: Software Google Google Maps Video

VIDEO: Google Maps intros "report a problem" feature originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:16:38 +0100

Apple appears to be up to something. The company very quietly purchased Placebase - an online mapping startup - back in July. It was announced in a tweet, but labelled as "all hush hush" by Fred Lalonde, the founder of openplaces.org.

However, Seth Weintraub of Computer World noticed that the founder of Placebase is now listed as a member of the "Geo Team" at Apple, on his LinkedIn profile. The company's website, placebase.com, is now offline too.

The web is buzzing with bloggers wondering what this could mean. Is Apple's widening gulf with Google expanding further? Google helped Apple develop its maps iPhone application in the first place, as well as providing the mapping in the backend.

More recently, though, Google launched a rival smartphone OS, as well as a desktop OS, and Apple also refused to allow Google to introduce its Latitude location-tracking app onto the iPhone, meaning Google had to create a web version of the app. Could this be the first steps of Apple going off on its own?

Or perhaps Apple just wants to introduce a mapping API in Cocoa that'll let developers do more with geolocation. Maybe it's no more complicated than Apple recruiting people with expertise in mapping with an eye on future projects.

Share your thoughts in the comments.

Read

Related links:

• News - CoPilot LIVE intros European maps for iPhone

Tags: Software Online Apple Placebase Google Maps Google iPhone

Apple quietly buys online mapping company Placebase originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:25:47 +0100