Android News: Google Maps Updated with "Places" Menu

If you have updated your Google Maps to version 4.4 today, you may be wondering what is different (assuming you didn't read the "What's New" notification upon opening Google Maps after the update). If you haven't updated Google Maps yet, I suggest you do.

Google has added a new feature to the native Maps application called "Places." If you open up your application drawer, you will find a new icon titled "Places." If you select that icon, a menu will pop up with categories of places you may want to find on your Google Map. This is actually something I've been waiting for because I find it tedious to have to use a third-party application to find restaurants or gas stations or hair removal places nearby.

Speaking of third-party applications, this new feature should scare the bejeezus out of apps like Where, Yelp, Aloqa, or any other application that helps users find locations nearby. I won't be surprised to see Google add more functionality to the Maps application in the future like gas prices, movie times, restaurant menus. The sky is the limit, really.

Check out the changes and let me know what you think in the comments.

The Android Project Reviews: FlightTrack

*Editor's Note: Work has kept me so busy that I haven't had much time to update this blog with any new reviews. However, my buddy Keltose, who is as much a lover of Android as I am, has written a review of an app for the site. I'm hoping he will continue to contribute to the site in the future.

Category: Utility

Price: $4.99

Gotta-have-it-factor: 5

Developer: Mobiata

There are a number of Flight Tracking apps out there, and most are free with ad-support.  However, FlightTrack offers several features that the others don’t, making the $4.99 worth it for a frequent traveler or someone who is frequently picking up people (like your boss) from the airport. 

There was one time I had to pick up my boss and I loaded his flight info into the app.  As I was waiting for him, I got an alert that his flight was delayed by 20 min.  Shortly after that, I got a SMS from him stating just that.  I contemplated replying with: “No worries, my awesome Android Phone just told me that 5 minutes ago.”, but refrained.   The map feature is one that the other free apps don’t have and will refresh almost in real time as the plane travels.  I knew my boss had landed before he had time to text me. 

This app is also useful when keeping track of flight times through the widget, which will update you on gate changes or delays.  In the past, I would try putting my flight on my calendar but when I switch time zones the flight times get all messed up because the calendar tries to keep the time based on where you made the appointment.  The flight widget is really helpful in this regard.

 

The gotta-have-it factor is only a 5 because the average person doesn’t really need it.  But if you fall into one of the categories of frequently picking up people from the airport or traveling a lot, then I would give it an 8.  The comments on the app market page are mixed, but I am running this app on an unrooted N1 with Android 2.2 and had no issues with inaccurate data or crashing widgets to date.