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Google Maps updated for Android, brings awesome Bubble Buttons

Google Maps updated for Android, brings awesome Bubble Buttons

Posted: 16 Aug 2011, 19:50, by Michael H.

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Google Maps updated for Android, brings awesome Bubble Buttons

Google Maps for Android has been updated to version 5.9, and it brings along with it some pretty nice new features. As usual, it's not a huge update, but the features it brings are quite helpful. As we mentioned last time Google Maps was updated, it now supports transit navigation, which allows you to see how many stops there are before your stop when on public transport, and that feature has gotten a little better.

Version 5.9 adds support for transit navigation on Android tablets, but even better, it adds voice and ring notifications for transit navigation, meaning you don't have to keep checking Maps to see where you are in relation to where you want to be. Maps will notify you when it's about time to get off the train (of course this service uses approximate transit travel times when GPS isn't available, so it may not be entirely accurate if you're in a subway dead-zone, but still quite helpful).

The other big addition comes in the form of a Labs feature called Bubble Buttons. Now, we're not sure why this is a Labs feature instead of a baked-on option, because it is all sorts of awesome. As with other Labs features, you have to toggle it on in the settings, but once you do, it will add bubble buttons to place markers to quickly call or navigate to that place without having to drill down into the Place Page. Very useful indeed.

The update is live in the Android Market right now.

Install Google Maps (Android Market link)

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1. rex0422 posted on 16 Aug 2011, 20:50 1 0

Just updated on my Asus Eee Pad Transformer. It's great and very useful. Go and get the update!!!

2. Thump3rDX17 posted on 16 Aug 2011, 21:18 0 1

dude..bubble buttons have been in the Labs for a REALLY long time..since i had my Devour.

3. CRICKETownz posted on 16 Aug 2011, 21:52 3 1

people actually bought the Devour?

4. Thump3rDX17 posted on 16 Aug 2011, 22:36 0 3

yeah, it was a fine phone til i heard it wasn't going to get updated...then free Droid 2 replacement for meee! ;P

5. Thump3rDX17 posted on 16 Aug 2011, 23:05 0 2

like really the Devour was a good phone. it would've been better if it had gotten the support it should've got. hardware wise it was better than the Droid.

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This comment is posted in response to #4 Hide

6. Yeeee posted on 17 Aug 2011, 00:26 2 1

of course Megan Fox was in the commercial in a bath tub. They new some horny nerd would go buy it.

7. PhoneLuver posted on 17 Aug 2011, 02:38 2 1

This worries me. While Google says it won't favour one manufacturer over the next, its track record isn't all that impressive.

Many OS' use Google maps, yet I have yet to have any significant upgrade to Google maps on IOS. No wonder WP7 will use Nokia maps instead.

Looks like some ecosystems and manufacturers are more equal than others after all..

Meego will be the only 'true' open source mobile OS and if Google isn't careful, OEMs will make the jump.

8. PeterIfromsweden posted on 17 Aug 2011, 03:31 0 0

I think that bada is open source as well, but it is limited i think.
But MeeGo will be the only true open source now.

9. p0rkguy posted on 17 Aug 2011, 05:20 0 0

Google won't be updating Google Maps for iOS anytime soon. It is a luxury to get updates on Android OS. Basic "maps" is all the other OSes need and is still popular by choice throughout all OSes.
Besides Apple announced they would release their own map after the whole tracking fiasco.

11. protozeloz posted on 17 Aug 2011, 13:05 0 0

WP7 has being using bing maps, also MS hasn't released any of their apps for android either (windows live related) or apple releasing iTunes so I don't see why Google should be doing so. Google maps navigation is an android selling point.... and may remain on android

10. Moo (unregistered) posted on 17 Aug 2011, 07:08 0 0

I can tell you that new google app for android is really good.

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Google Maps updated for Android, brings awesome Bubble Buttons

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11 Comments Follow Following

1. rex0422 posted on 16 Aug 2011, 20:50 1 0

2. Thump3rDX17 posted on 16 Aug 2011, 21:18 0 1

3. CRICKETownz posted on 16 Aug 2011, 21:52 3 1

4. Thump3rDX17 posted on 16 Aug 2011, 22:36 0 3

5. Thump3rDX17 posted on 16 Aug 2011, 23:05 0 2

6. Yeeee posted on 17 Aug 2011, 00:26 2 1

7. PhoneLuver posted on 17 Aug 2011, 02:38 2 1

8. PeterIfromsweden posted on 17 Aug 2011, 03:31 0 0

9. p0rkguy posted on 17 Aug 2011, 05:20 0 0

11. protozeloz posted on 17 Aug 2011, 13:05 0 0

10. Moo (unregistered) posted on 17 Aug 2011, 07:08 0 0

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