14 DAY TRIAL // Google Maps is a great tool for your desktop, but it’s on mobile devices that it really shines. BlackBerry users now have something to look forward to, the Google Maps app has been updated and comes with several features that should feel right at home on the mobile devices. The big new feature consist of the biking directions, which were unveiled for the desktop version a few months back and debuted on Android devices about a month ago. Google Maps 4.2 for BlackBerry also gets a new search interface and the option to share a location with friends.
“Grab your BlackBerry, hop on your bike, and have your friends join you with Google Maps for mobile! After adding biking directions and sharing for Android folks a few weeks ago, we're happy to announce that Google Maps 4.2 for BlackBerry can also let you get biking directions, quickly see helpful info when searching, and share places with friends,” Michael Siliski, product manager, Google Mobile Team, writes in the official announcement.
Biking directions have just been introduced to Google Maps and Blackberry is the second mobile platform to get the feature, after Google’s own Android. The name speaks for itself, the tool allows you to pick the best routes for traveling by bike. A new overlay layer designed for bikers is available, the Bicycling layer. When enabled, it shows bike trails, roads with dedicated bike lanes and roads that are suited for bicycling. The feature is still in beta, so use it with caution and common sense to avoid situations like these.
Google Maps 4.2 for BlackBerry also comes with a better search interface. A list view of the results now features images, as well as ratings for the places. Selecting one of the results will bring up a number of buttons that will enable you to get directions to the places or even call the establishments. You can also share the location of a place so that your friends will be able to find it. What’s more, you can now share any location you want on Google Maps. To access the new version, go to m.google.com/maps.
