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UPDATED: Google Maps Updated

Posted on 23. Nov, 2009 by Nana Kwabena Owusu in Real Tech, Unwired

Google Maps has been updating its map data over the last few weeks and it seems Ghana is no exception. As soon as I heard of the news (from @jdakorah) I checked my Google Maps app (on BlackBerry) and was notified that an upgrade was available.  I downloaded it and I must say even with a quick glance I realised the new update was very very good. There are also new versions for Windows Mobile and Symbian S60. Point your mobile browser to m.google.com/maps to get the latest version for your phone.

Android users can find the latest release of Google Maps on the Android Market and iPhone users can just tap the maps icon since it comes pre-installed.

(Tip: If you’re a BlackBerry user download BlackBerry App World to get automatic updates to your apps.)

I must say the maps rock! The previous version was a good improvement but I think I will say this is a great improvement. What has changed?

Street Names. Yes, now Google Maps knows Prempeh I Street and other popular street names in Kumasi. I say popular because I know only five or so street names (that’s the biggest challenge, my knowledge of street names) and I have therefor not tested it vigorously. I am assuming it will work well in most big cities and major districts. I used  Tamale as the benchmark and I must say most of the major street data  is there.

Updated ( Sync between Data: Completely forgot about one of the major data changes from the previous versions. Google Maps has a ‘satellite view’ which provides aerial imagery of a location and a ‘map view’ which provides streets,  street names and landmarks. The ‘sync’ between these data was non-existent in a lot of cases and lines representing a street in the map view did not appear with the actual street image.  Now it is much much better. Zoom in or out and the major streets appear almost perfectly as lines in ‘satellite view’. Can’t wait for the next update. (Thanks to @jdakorah for this comment)

Better Map Data. The previous version had major places on the map but it was very very selective. Lets use an area in Adum around Ghana Post, the High Courts and Ministries area. This new version is very detailed.

Want to know how detailed? There is a military barracks check post, which leads into KATH. It is not big by any stretch of imagination but in this version it is marked clearly. In fact I can say with this you can direct someone down to 10 meters. Its that detailed. This is the killer update for me!!

Layers. This feature which requires a google account and brings better syncing better your web and desktop map information. For example, the My Maps feature in the desktop versions of Google Maps allow you to create your own personal map, complete with HTML, photos and videos and sharing options. This info can now be accessed on your mobile by turning on the ‘My Maps’ layer.

Layers allow you to overlay additional information like Wikipedia entries about near by places or  Google Latitude info of your friends on top of maps.

The transit and public transport layers do not work (sigh) yet. By the end of 2010 when the Urban Transport Project should be in full swing, maybe we will have public transit and traffic info.

Browser Based Location. This is not a brand new feature but its worth noting so I will talk abut it anyway. The feature displays your current location on the map using the the new Geolocation feature and is available in browsers that support geolocation. Supported  browsers are; Mozilla FireFox 3.5+ or Google Chrome 2.0+ (using Gears) or  any browser with the latest version of Google Gears installed. Read this article for help using this feature.

Remember Google Maps for Mobile is a little data intensive whether viewed in a mobile browser or a dedicated app. If you don’t have a monthly data plan, keep your eyes on the units you have! But whats your phone for if you can’t use it to enhance your everyday activities.

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2. Google and the World Cup
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4. Google Calendar + SMS = Awesome!!

Tags: apps, blackberry, Ghana, google, maps, Nokia, Real Tech, Symbian, Unwired, updates, Windows Mobile