14 DAY TRIAL // Google has just released a new update for its popular Google Maps for mobile, which has now reached version 3.2, and which comes with a few quite interesting new features, as well as with a series of bug fixes. New in this release are layers, along with a browse category option, a My Maps layer, and additional search results, apart from the top ten ones that the app was already showing when performing searches. The new version is aimed both at Windows Mobile and Symbian Series 60 devices.
Starting with the new features that have been included in version 3.2 of Google Maps for mobile, we should mention the fact that the new layers that it comes with enable users to view locations and additional info overlaid on the map. They will have the option to control what info is available on the map by adding multiple layers or by removing those that do not matter too much. The info available via layers includes search results, Traffic, Directions, and Google Latitude, as well as My Maps (view-only), Transit lines, and Wikipedia.
The ‘browse categories’ option allows users to perform searches through popular categories so as to find businesses or points of interest on the map, according to their type. For the time being, however, category searches are only available for mobile phone users in the US and China. The additional search results mentioned before appear on the map as dots, and users will be able to select them so as to view more info. In case there are multiple dots in a single location, a zoom-in will show them in more detail.
The My Maps layer can be added from the layer menu, yet users will need to sign in to their Google accounts so as to access custom maps they created and edited on their computers. Currently, only the view option is available from Google Maps for mobile. Those who will sign in to their Google account will also have the possibility to access Latitude, as well as other info that is not connected to the Maps.
When it comes to the fixes that the new version of Google Maps for mobile comes with, they are meant both for Windows Mobile and Symbian devices, as follows: - Symbian S60: E61, E61i, and E62 devices: Shortcut keys work properly using the standard numeric shortcuts. Previously, shortcut keys were not working as intended on these devices; - Windows Mobile: Copy and paste has been re-enabled for most text entry fields (Search, directions, and user name).
More info on the new version can be found here. The Google Maps for mobile version 3.2 is available for download here.
