Google tipped us off early this morning, aside from the leaks we saw previously, that Google Maps might be getting some love at this year’s I/O.  A preview build of the new Maps was shown on iOS and Android. It featured a new slimmed down look with a search bar that took you into a revamped reviews section that has a 5 star scale instead of the previous 4. Google Offers was also worked into this same space to make finding food and deals easy. 

Starting today, Google Map’s users in certain cities can check real-time public transit information. So far, only riders in New York City, Salt Lake City, and Washington D.C. get to see live service updates for their respective subways/transit systems, but more will come.

With this addition, there are no more excuses why you missed that bus or train. Go check it out.

Play Link

Via: Google Lat

After yesterday’s big news that Andy Rubin was stepping down from the Android team, it seemed that things were changing internally at Google. Today, more switches have been made by Larry Page, who announced that the Mapping and Commerce divisions are no longer working together under one person. 

Today, you can take a VIP stroll through the halls of the Indianapolis Colts stadium. With a full 360 degree view from the 50 yard line to inside the locker room, this is a great new feature for Google’s Street View application.

During the early parts of 2012, Google Maps was doing great. It led the top ten pack of monthly unique visitors against some stiff competition, mostly themselves, but there was still Facebook, Pandora, and Yahoo! Messenger (somehow). Out of the top ten most used apps in 2012 on iOS and Android, Google owns five of them, which is pretty impressive to say the least. 

As an Android fan, I know I’ve looked at some car navigation systems before and thought “Google Maps does this so much better.” Today’s news sounds like a few car manufacturers felt the same way. Hyundai and Kia have partnered with Google so that their UVO voice system now works with Google Search, Maps and Places APIs to find you all sorts of cool stuff while you’re driving from place to place.

Those two companies join the likes of Audi, Mercedes and Tesla as manufacturers who all include the suite of Google apps in their vehicles. Google Maps is one of the most detailed databases and putting that in dashboards of cars is infinitely useful. Let’s hope that more companies catch onto this down the road.

Via: Google

This afternoon, Google has pushed an updated version of Maps to Google Play. It currently offers nothing extra except for a few bug fixes, but hey, we’ll take it. Don’t forget to be thankful for your Maps app, people.

Play Link

Cheers Adam!

According to Australian law enforcement personnel, a flaw discovered in Apple’s Maps application could prove deadly for motorists if action is not taken. Pictured above is the city of Mildura, although that is not where the city is actually located. Apple has placed the town some 40 miles in the Outback, an environment that if not prepared for or you happen to become stranded in, offers very little in terms of road side service.

Unfortunately, a few Maps users have already found themselves in this situation, needing to be rescued by emergency crews and were found with zero water supply.