mapping

Google Maps boosts live transit in NYC, D.C., and Salt Lake City

Working to keep an edge on the mapping front, Google announced today that it's boosting Google Maps' live transit feature. Now, users can see several subway and bus live departure times in New York and Salt Lake City and service alerts for Washington, D.C.'s Metrorail.

"We want to make sure you have access to the most comprehensive, accurate, and useful information when you're on the go -- and that includes public transportation," Soufi Esmaeilzadeh, Google Maps partnership development manager, said in a blog post today. "With these updates -- part of the millions … Read more

Apple buys WiFiSlam, maker of tech for locating phones indoors

Apple has acquired WiFiSlam, a company that makes an app that lets smartphones locate themselves indoors using ambient Wi-Fi signals that already exist in buildings.

The deal was reported by The Wall Street Journal's Digits blog, which said Apple confirmed the acquisition but had no further comment other than to say that Apple "buys smaller technology companies from time to time." Digits said Apple paid $20 million for WiFiSlam.

The WiFiSlam page on AngelList describes the company's product like so:

Allow your smartphone to pinpoint its location (and the location of your friends) in real-time to … Read more

Google Earth for iPhone brings a virtual map to your phone

You know all that time you spend looking up your house and your friends' houses on Google Earth? Well, now you can do it anytime, anywhere with Google Earth for iPhone. It brings the popular virtual map service to your fingertips.

To begin, Google Earth for iPhone has a very helpful tutorial for navigating the app. For example, it uses circles to show you how to move up, down, tilt, zoom, and reset the view. We tapped the My Location button and gave it access to our current location. In just a few seconds, an overview of our neighborhood appeared … Read more

Everest, Kilimanjaro pop up on Google Maps Street View

Today Google released a way to visit the tallest of the Seven Summits without having to hire a sherpa.

The world's biggest mountains are starting to come into view on Google Maps, including Mount Everest, Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, and Mount Elbrus.

"While there's nothing quite like standing on the mountain, with Google Maps you can instantly transport yourself to the top of these peaks and enjoy the sights without all of the avalanches, rock slides, crevasses, and dangers from altitude and weather that mountaineers face," the company said in a blog post.

Google also posted a gallery … Read more

Google to split mapping, commerce ops, WSJ reports

It appears that Google's "spring cleaning" is even broader than thought.

The online search giant is splitting its mapping and commerce unit into two separate businesses, The Wall Street Journal reported today, citing its sources.

Jeff Huber, who led the mapping and commerce business, is stepping aside from his role and will be moving to the Google X unit, the Journal said. That business is run by Google co-founder Sergey Brin and works on projects such as self-driving cars and Google Glass.

Google confirmed to CNET that Huber is shifting roles.

"Jeff is an extraordinary executive,&… Read more

Apple quietly updates Maps in Japan

Apple this week quietly made behind-the-scenes changes to its mapping service in Japan, fixing a handful of shortcomings.

Chief among them are changes to pronunciation during turn-by-turn navigation, a key feature introduced in Apple's own mapping service in iOS 6. The app now also alerts drivers to toll roads, and has better point-of-interest labels for things like subways, freeways, and hospitals.

Other tweaks include 3D buildings for some Japanese landmarks like Tokyo Station and Tokyo Tower, as well as changing the freeway color to green.

The changes rolled out without an additional software update from Apple. That's because … Read more

Track your walks with Map My Walk, an easy-to-use GPS-enabled app

There is no better way to encourage healthy living than to turn it into a competition. Keep track of your activity, share it with friends, and provide a real-time look at your GPS position as you walk around town and it becomes not only easier, but also more compelling to get out and walk. Map My Walk is a fantastic example of how to encourage healthy habits with an intuitive design and function-loaded app that manages not to get in its own way.

After installation, you'll need to register, either through Facebook or the app itself. It's not … Read more

View Google Maps on your desktop with eMaps for Mac

People who are disappointed in the Google Maps Internet interface might want alternatives for viewing maps online. eMaps for Mac allows you to operate a different interface, although the lack of any additional features ultimately makes the program unnecessary.

Available as a free trial version, there is an option to buy eMaps for Mac for $10. The trial version had no noticeable limits. The program's small size led to a quick download and, while there was no native installer, it did initiate and start quickly. There were no instructions or support readily apparent. The interface has an intuitive design … Read more

Google Maps facing ban in Germany as trial advances

A patent battle between Google and Microsoft could see Google Maps banned in Germany.

Florian Mueller, of FOSS Patents, reported from court in Munich today, where he said the tide is shifting against Google:

Judge Dr. Matthias Zigann of the Munich I Regional Court just told Google and its Motorola Mobility subsidiary in no uncertain terms that his court is at this point (prior to counsel's argument on claim construction, infringement and validity) inclined to hold Google Inc., its subsidiary Motorola Mobility LLC and MMI's German subsidiary liable for infringement of a key Microsoft patent, EP0845124 on a &… Read more