Google Places Directory Team

Google has updated three of its Android applications today, which include Maps, Listen, and Goggles. Both Maps and Listen bring small but it Goggles seems to have received most of the attention. In a nutshell, here is what all three updates bring to the table: Google Maps: Google Listen: Google Goggles: As you can see, most of everything added within the updates are rather incremental but that’s not to say they aren’t helpful. The new Google Maps feature that will adjust to Night Mode once you enter a tunnel is a very thoughtful addition on Google’s part, and Listen’s audio focus bug fix will surely help many who use it. As for Google Goggles, the application is pretty solid on its own, so any update is a good thing. The same goes for Google Maps. If Google were to Ice Cream-ify the Listen app a bit, I’d probably use it a bit. I’m still waiting for Google to update its own Finance application, as it’s miles behind some applications the Android Market offers. So there’s you triple play of the day. Hit the links below to update! Blake was born in Beaumont, Texas, about 100 miles away from Houston. Even as a youngster, technology came to him very naturally, tinkering with anything he could. His passion of technology grew with mobile phones when he dreamed that the capabilities of phones would eventually make one's life much easier. Since then it's been his mission to advocate the push of mobile technology to anyone who will listen. Read More

Google has released a new way to securely log into Google accounts on public computers. Using a smartphone, scan the QR code generated at accounts.google.com/sesame. The Google login prompt will appear on your phone, and logging in there will log you into a session on the desktop. This prevents the user from having to type sensitive login credentials into a public machine, which could be compromised with keylogging software. The new QR code feature is an alternative to Google's 2-step verification. This generates a unique short code on your mobile, which you must input for each desktop login, using the presence of your phone as a form of identification. Adoption of QR codes is a slow-growing oddity. The last study we saw indicated that 5% of U.S. adults have scanned the 2D bar codes with their smartphones. QR codes allow us to put hyperlinks anywhere in the real world. We've seen some neat use cases, such as a project to put QR links to Wikipedia entries on their corresponding real-world places. But most of the current use of QR codes is in pretty mundane marketing campaigns, and lots of people find them inscrutable. Google's use of QR codes as a security feature is much more compelling than a Cheetos ad. Android users can use Google Goggles, and iOS users can use the free Google Search app. If you choose to use sesame to log in to your Google account, PC World has some great security tips. If you're logging in on a computer using public Wi-Fi, it's safer to use the cellular data network on your phone, so packet sniffers can't catch the whole exchange. Also, make sure the site on the desktop uses a secure HTTPS connection from the real google.com domain, or else you're on the wrong site, and you shouldn't enter your account information. Once again, the QR-based login is available at accounts.google.com/sesame. Read More

Underneath all the CES craze, Google manged to push out an update to its Google Maps application. The new update ushers in much needed improvements to battery life while at the same time improving location tracking within Google Latitude, which is notorious when it comes to sucking the life out of your battery (trust me, I know). Other noteworthy features in this version include: Google also brings a welcomed addition of indoor maps (floor plans) to the mix. The search giant released the first of the floor plans it collected last November, and has added indoor maps for CES and some other parts of Las Vegas. Floor Plans still needs a lot of work as it doesn’t accept submissions for non-public buildings like residences or places that require clearance to enter, but it’s what you’d expect from something in beta. If you haven’t already, be sure to head over to the Android Market and update your Google Maps app. Charles has been a cannibal of all things handheld and gadgety for years. Originally from Hartford, CT, where he resides, he longs for great Mexican food and even better technology. Charles considers himself a music snob and sports fanatic who loves occasional benders with friends and family. He has written about the mobile industry for TMCnet and Androinica. He also writes at his own blog The Trendaholic. Look for him on Twitter and Google+ Read More

by Welcome to this morning’s edition of “First To Know,” a series in which we keep you in the know on what’s happening in the digital world. Today, we’re looking at three particularly interesting stories. Apple Acquires Anobit Apple has acquired Israeli flash storage company Anobit for an undisclosed amount. Apple rarely buys hardware companies, but since it’s the world’s number one flash storage buyer, this acquisition will probably lead to cost savings somewhere down the line. Boxee Promises to Bring Netflix to UK Customers Netflix recently launched in the UK, and now Boxee promises (via Twitter) to bring the video streaming service to its customers. Exactly when this will happen, however, remains unknown. Google Maps for Android Update Improves Battery Life The latest version of Google Maps for Android devices brings better battery life, faster location tracking and a better estimate of the owner’s location when the GPS signal is lost. Furthermore, the number of public transportation route options for public transit has been increased from three to four. Read More

Another Google Android app has been updated – Google Earth. This is a small maintenance update that primarily fixes problems users with NVidia Tegra 2 devices experienced. As far as I’ve understood, NVidia uses special instructions for the Tegra chip that could make it difficult for the “generic app” to use the full set of features. Guess Google Earth had this problem but luckily the search giant is addressing it now. In addition, the new version (6.1.0.5671) of the application also comes with “other bug fixes” so it’s suggested to get it even if you don’t have a Tegra 2-based smartphone or tablet. To do so simply hit the link below or — if you already have Google Earth installed — hit the Market icon and update it from there. It will take just a minute or so on a fast Wi-Fi network… Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis. Read More

Google updated its podcast client for Android – Google Listen. As far as I could tell there are no visible changes except that reference to the now defunct Google Labs was removed. Other than that, it’s the same app that allows users to listen to the podcasts while on the go and that sings along Google Reader. As a big fan of Google Reader, I love Google Listen. However, just because it works for me, it doesn’t mean it will work for you as well. Quite the contrary, there are many other, much better options out there like BeyondPod and Stitcher Radio. Guess I’m an old school guy who loves having all of his RSS feeds managed from a single location – Google Reader. If you’re just new to the podcasting, you’re better off picking some other app that allows you to more easily manage your subscriptions right from the phone. That said – Google Listen does come with that capability, but it can be a hassle — that’s why I manage my podcasts from Google Reader… Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis. Read More

Well look what we have here, Google appears to have rolled out an update for the Google Listen app. And for those who may have forgotten about Listen, this is a free app pushed out by Google that will allow you to “search, subscribe, download and stream podcasts.” That being said, it had been so long since we last heard or saw anything change with Listen that we thought it had been abandoned. Anyway, that thought aside, while Google did offer an update for Listen — it remains a mystery as to what has changed. According to the Android Market listing, the app has been update and is now at version 1.1.6 and will continue to work on devices running Android 1.5 or later. As for the changes and the “what’s new” — this is simply noted as having “no recent changes.” Bottom line, while we may not know what has changed, we are fairly certain that all the bugs and problems have yet to be worked out but at the same time we are also happy to see that the app has gotten some attention. Read More

At the beginning of 2011 there wasn’t a single dedicated Android tablet app. Now it’s the end of the year and we are inundated with them. New Android tablets are released monthly by the likes of Samsung, Motorola and Amazon, and there’s a whole bunch of great tablet-optimized apps to go along with them. Here are some of our favorites this year. There’s no better way to experience the glory of HD movies and TV than on a fast and powerful tablet with a large, bright screen, providing you’re a subscriber to the service of course. This is why Netflix is here, and why it also made our general Best Android Apps of 2011 list. After a rough start, Android tablet users can now enjoy a Netflix experience their iPad-owning friends have been used to for a while. If you like to read magazines on your Android tablet, then Zinio is worth a look. You get a few free editions to start you off and then you can purchase more if you like what you see. The pages of the magazines are sharp and colorful and it’s easy to search for specific things, or jump to a particular page of interest. Intriguingly enough (or not) CNN released its specific tablet app prior to its dedicated smartphone version. It’s taken a few updates to reach its full potential, but now offers a quick and responsive tablet experience so you can gather all your news efficiently. There’s a great deal of content on offer here, and it isn’t just a rehashed version of the smartphone app on a bigger screen. While they may not be as fun as Fruit Ninja or Angry Birds, apps like Intuit GoPayment demonstrate the growing market for dedicated, professional services on Android tablets. It allows you to accept credit card payments (and the data is safely encrypted), create customized receipts and track previous sales, all while on-the-go. Essential for small business owners everywhere. Pulse offers a unique way to view news content, and it works especially well on a tablet’s bigger-screen. It uses smart looking panels to organize your news in an easily-digested way and it’s also highly customizable so you only get the stories you want to see. The look and feel of this app is very professional and makes for a great way to consume the latest headlines on your Android tablet. Yep, we like Swiftkey. Read More

Google Translate just got a little update that brings big functionality: the ability to recognize written words in seven different languages. The previous version allowed for text and spoken input only, so this update adds just another method to the mix.    You may be asking yourself why is this a big deal? This is a useful feature partly due to the fact that it can translate Chinese and Japanese, which both use characters that are uncommon to English keyboards. Other languages with handwriting recognition include: English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Hit the widget to grab it. Thanks, Niel! Google Translate Read More

While the Google Voice app has always been free, there was speculation that voice calls to the United States and Canada would begin to cost you money at the beginning of next year. However, new Google Voice users are being greeted by a pop-up window when they first use the Call Phone feature in Gmail that indicates otherwise. See there? Calls to the U.S. and Canada are free in 2012. If there is anything I love more than free voice calling, it's another year of entirely free calling through Google Voice. And to think...several years ago people were feeding money to machines at gas stations just to make phone calls. If you don't already have Google Voice, pick it up below. Google Voice Read More