People rushed over to Google Maps Web page and saw that the search engine giant has updated the interface and you could now play the famous and all-time addictive Pac-Man game in the streets, roads and paths of Google Maps.

Open the web version of Google Maps and you will see a little Pac-Man icon on the left bottom of the screen. Click it and then select ‘Start’ option. If everything goes right, Google Maps will render a map of your surroundings and you could start playing. Otherwise, the pop-up menu will say that there aren’t any suitable roads around with an option saying ‘I’m feeling lucky’. The game will start and you could enjoy as long as you want. You can always switch back to the normal Google Maps version whenever you want by clicking the related option from the screen.

Google keeps rolling out Doodles and small games in its search engine, Maps and other services on different event days. It also rolled out a Pokémon game on April Fool last year and a fun doodle game as an Easter Egg a few years ago.

As a contact wearer, I find this amazing they could do this with the contact.  It appears to have wire leads inside of the lens that monitor glucose levels.  I’m not sure if you can see the wire when they’re in but it’s pretty cool either way!

Now.  If only Google can make contacts that can give me search results, Google maps, and other information!  Forget Google Glasses!

Google’s acquisition of Israeli start-up, Waze, has started to bear fruit. According to a blog post by Google, Google Maps will add real-time road reports from Waze to the benefit of road users. Users of Google maps in countries like the U.S., U.K., Brazil, Germany will be able to get real time traffic updates posted by Wazers (Waze users). This has been has been made possible by the integration of some functionality featured in Waze into Google Maps for Android and iPhone. Currently, only Google Maps users in 13 countries will benefit from this innovation as Google works on rolling out the product to other countries in the near future. Wazers also have a reason to smile as they will be able to perform Google searches and make street views using the Waze app.

The application works such that when Waze users identify and report incidents they encounter on the roads that may lead to traffic snarl-ups, this information is updated real time on Google Maps app on the Android and iPhone devices. Google Maps users having these devices get this information and can make decisions to avoid the affected routes and use alternative ones to get to their desired destinations in case they are travelling. Some of the incidents that Wazers can report include road closures, constructions, and accidents, just to mention a few. At the moment, Google Maps users have no provision to make similar reports or contributions to the Google Maps-Waze community.

Apart from providing real time traffic updates for Google Maps users, Waze will also contribute toward correcting flaws that exist on Google Maps. Google acquired Waze back in June at a cost of 1.03 billion U.S. dollars hoping that it would positively contribute to the company’s technological brand. Earlier, Facebook had made a bid to acquire Waze only to be beaten by Google in the bidding war.

To expand this local business advertising platform, Google just announced a beta release of Google Boost:

Google Boost allows business owners to easily create online search ads from directly within their Google Places account. No ongoing management is needed after the initial set up, and this beta is currently available to select local businesses in San Francisco, Houston and Chicago.

Unlike Google Places, Boost is a “pay per click” advertising platform, just like Google Adwords. However, Boost allows for a deeper integration of your Google Places page into the Google Maps display. And this is especially relevant for mobile searches, which are growing exponentially as a percentage of total searches conducted by users.

via: Google Lat Long blog

Google Places is something very few businesses either know about, or know how to utilize. The problem is mostly that local business owners are still in the “newspaper ad” mindset and fail to realize exactly how many people are surfing, browsing, and searching on the web.

C’mon folks… the internet is where your customers are – like it or not!

So for a local business, wouldn’t it make sense to leverage a platform that allowed you to reach new customers who were searching for what you offer, at the moment they are searching?  And to connect to new customers at the place they are already – which is online?

Sure, you can go the Google Adwords route to achieve basically the same thing. But with Adwords, you’ll need to have a monthly ad budget. With Google Places, everything is free!

What is Google Places?

Google Places is basically a platform that works in conjunction with Google Maps. You simply visit the Google Local Business center and then “claim” your business.

Then whenever someone is searching for your business, products, or services, your business listing will appear next to a Google Maps display.

What’s awesome, and powerful, about Google Places is that it allows you to easily connect to customers who are searching via their mobile phone (iPhone, iPad, Android smartphones, etc…).

Mobile search is one of the fastest growing areas of the internet, and you better believe that people are searching for what you offer from their iPhones and Android smartphones. Google is making it even easier to search from mobile devices with their new Google voice activation apps.

So basically with a Google Places listing for your business, you can connect to new customers searching for what you offer, regardless of whether they are on their desktop computer, laptops, or mobile phones.

Who can use Google Places?

This is the easy part – does your business have a local address? If so, then you can (and should) create a Google Places local listing.

Learn more about Google Places for your business here.

And I’m always willing to help, so ask questions in the comments.

You might be able to add videos to your Google Local Listing, or your Google Places listing, soon enough. Google has acquired video startup firm Quicksee, which allows you to shoot video of your location (think real time tours), and then tag that location with an overlay on Google Maps. This acquisition would make perfect sense if Google was wanting to allow Google Local Listing and Google Places’ users to add video (virtual tours, product reviews, testimonials, etc…) to their map locations.

Thoughts?

via CNET

Google has created a resource map for those affected by, and responding to, the San Bruno gas explosion and associated fires in the area. The explosion and fires have destroyed approximately 40 buildings and damaged 120. There have been reports of several fatalities, multiple injuries, and more 100 people had to be evacuated to nearby shelters.

The gas explosion occurred about 2 miles away from the YouTube home offices and Google is assisting both financially and with the resource map you see below. Google has already donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter to help out with the disaster relief efforts.

The map below shows the explosion area and nearby shelters. Google is encouraging collaboration on the map for updated information, and also images of the disaster area to help responders visualize the entire area.

Here’s the map (embedded from Google original location):

Poly9 has been acquired by Apple for an undisclosed amount, according to AppleInsider. Poly9 is a web based, 3D mapping company from Quebec, Canada that creates interactive mapping software for use in a web browser. Poly9 employees were moved from Quebec to Apple headerquarters inCupertino, California and asked not to discuss the Poly9 acquisition.

So is this Apple’s attempt to take on Google Maps with their own 3D mapping app for the iPhone?

A lot of iPhone users have complained about the fact that Apple doesn’t have a mobile mapping application that competes with Google Maps.

Poly9 has already created some amazing mapping software already with the Poly9 Globe project, which comes in a light weight 303kb mobile app download.

According to ZDNet writer Joel Evans, the Droid Eris mobile phone received an update to the Android 2.1 version of the Android OS. Here are some features that he mentioned for the new Android 2.1 update:

• New Leap thumbnail view, which lets you pinch to jump between panels on your home screen (I hit that one by accident already)
• Additional calendar views and easier access to contacts
• Google Maps with Navigation (free, traffic-enhanced, turn-by-turn navigation) – I’ll be putting that one to the test tomorrow
• Android Market, now including more applications since I’m running 2.1
• Ability to log onto multiple Google accounts at once
• Support for 19 Microsoft Exchange Server policies
• Desk Clock that dims your screen and displays the current time while charging–that’s worth the update all by itself! ;-)
• Location-based cinematic full screen weather–um … ok, I guess that’s cool?

• Free Yahoo Mail support
• Longer battery life–I know many users who will be very happy with that one
• Improved YouTube playback–believe it or not, that’s cool, since I do a fair amount of YouTubing on my iPhone at night
• Better Bluetooth support, including contact transfer
• Automatic settings for POP3 Verizon.net email accounts–yeah, great
• Added support for stand alone Wi-Fi when device is in airplane mode–I stumbled on that one on my iPhone the other day, too
• Improved handset audio when disconnecting a wired headset–I’m wondering how it supports switching back and forth between a bluetooth headset, more than disconnecting a wired one–does anyone use a wired one these days?
• Faster power up–always a nice addition
• Improved swipe unlock functionality–what’s improved? Now it works better?
• Added support for Office 2007 documents–I can see value there

If you’re a Droid Eris user, this is great news. If you’re not a Droid Eris user, you can pick one up for $79.99 (with a 2yr contract and a $100 discount), but you run the risk of buying a phone that is rumored to be discontinued in the next month or so.

[source:  ZDNet.com]

Google released a small update to their Google Maps application. The update includes biking directions so your can map out your bike ride. A new biking layer will show the bike trails and roads with bike lanes in the area your searching in. The update also include a navigation short cut in the app drawer. It’s a nice little update and requiers Android 1.6 or above.

Josh Uhlemeyer,

Former Author of Mobile News Now.

Twitter:www.twitter.com/joshuhl

Well according to a tweet from HTC saying the HTC DROID Eris is getting Android 2.1 today. The Android 2.1 update will have some of the same features that are found on the Nexus One which are pinch-to-zoom in the Gallery & Google Maps, support for voice-to-text, a new gallery application with 3D layout & Google Maps with Navigation that just some of the features. HTC also tweeted that it may take a matter of days for the update to get to everyone’s handset. The tweet also included a link showing what the update will look like when it arrives on the Droid Eris.

Source:Twitter

Josh Uhlemeyer,

Former Author of Mobile News Now.

Twitter: Twitter.com/joshuhl

Well if you own a Droid Eris for Verizon you could be expecting an update to your handset. According to Verizon literature the Droid Eris is getting software update version ROM: 2.36.605.1/Radio: 2.42.00.04.12. The features of the update will included pinch-to-zoom in the Gallery & Google Maps, support for voice-to-text, a new gallery application with 3D layout & Google Maps with Navigation that just some of the features. Now it doesn’t state in the Verizon literature that this is the Android 2.1 update. But judging from the features it it’s safe to say that this update could be Android 2.1. Since these are the some of the same features found in the Nexus One. As far as a time frame for when the update will be rolled out has not been determined. As far as a time for when the update will being Verizon just say’s it’s “coming soon”. Verizon also states in it’s literature that it will have to erase the internal memory of the phone. This means you will have to reinstall your apps & your contacts will be erased. And some of the phones settings will be reset to factory settings. Below is a list of the features & improvements.

Enhancements:
 Pinch-to-zoom is now available when using the Gallery and
Google Maps.
 New support for voice-to-text entry.
− Whenever a text-entry box appears, simply tap the
microphone icon on the virtual keyboard and speak.
 New Gallery application with 3D layout. View and share photos
taken with your phone and images from your online Picasa
Web albums.
 New Leap thumbnail view lets you pinch to jump between the
seven panels on your home screen.
 Additional calendar views and easier access to contacts make
navigating even quicker.
 Google Maps with Navigation provides free, traffic-enhanced,
turn-by-turn navigation.
 With the Enhanced Android Market, you’ll enjoy a better
browsing experience as well as even more applications, including
Verizon Wireless content featuring self-service applications.
 Ability to log onto and access multiple Google accounts at once.
 Support for 19 Microsoft® Exchange Server policies makes your
phone more secure and business friendly.1
 Desk Clock intelligently dims your screen and displays the current
time while charging.
 Location-based cinematic full screen weather keeps you on top of
changing conditions.

Improvements:
 Free Yahoo!® Mail is now supported—simply sign in with your
Yahoo! email address and password.2
 Longer battery life due to power savings.
 Improved YouTube® video playback.
 Better Bluetooth® support, including contact transfer.
 Automatic settings for POP3 verizon.net email accounts.

 Added support for stand-alone Wi-Fi when device is in
airplane mode.
 Improved handset audio when disconnecting a wired headset.
 Faster power-up time.
 Improved swipe-unlock functionality.
 Added support for Microsoft Office 2007 documents.

Source: Verizon

Josh Uhlemeyer
Former Author of Mobile News Now.

Google has been aggressively rolling out their Google Maps for Mobile program across multiple devices. The one device that is of particular interest to Google is the Blackberry.

Google announced via their Google Mobile blog that they have just rolled out the Google Maps with voice search for the Blackberry.

Here’s more from the Google Mobile blog:

“For starters, we’ve added Search by voice to all BlackBerry devices to save your overworked thumbs. Simply press and hold the green “call” button, speak your search, and see your results quickly appear without typing a single letter.”

Some other features included with this new Google Maps 4.0 release is Google Buzz for Blackberry and also personalized search suggestions.

These new  features show the market that the Blackberry is still a highly competitive mobile device – in fact, the Blackberry holds the majority marketshare over all other mobile phones, including the iPhone.

RIMM (the maker of Blackberry) is also working hard to make sure the Blackberry has competitive applications for its users. The recent developments with Blackberry applications is the new Blackberry development tools.

Read more about Google Maps 4.0 for Blackberry at the Google Mobile Blog

The site is called BibleMap.com, and the way it works is this:

1)  Chose your desired scripture from the drop down menus.

2)  If the Google Map has relevant locations to that piece of scripture, then map icons will appear throughout the map.

3)  Click on the map icons to read more that specific location, the history, geography, and associated Biblical references.

Some scripture is left out of the map because locations cannot be pinned down.  Take for example The Book of Job.  The exact locations are not known (at least not that I know of), so you can’t really display relevant Google Map icons.

You can check it our for yourself at >>

Let me know what you think below in the comments!

One of the key benefits of Local Ad Extensions is the ability to present your local business address to people who are searching on Google.com, Google Maps, and on mobile devices.  If someone is searching for your business with a geographic keyword phrase, or if they are on a mobile device in the same geographic area as your business, your Adwords text ad can display with your business address (read “Understanding Local Ad Extensions for more info“).

How To Get Free Advertising with Google Adwords

With Local Ad Extensions, the pricing structure is the same as all other Google Adwords pricing settings established in your account – with one exception!

If someone is searching on Google Maps and sees your ad, and then click to extend your local address, you are not charged for that click or ad display.

This means, you are given free advertising exposure to that local customer who just searched for your type of business, and was shown your address (your Local Ad Extension) on Google Maps.

Local Ad Extensions and Google Maps might be only one component of your Adwords campaign, but if you’re a local business, then you might want to consider setting up Local Ad Extensions – your customers will then be able to search on Google Maps, and view your business address, all for free!

You will only be charged for the click if that person actually clicks thru to your website or landing page.

This mashup is designed for the UK currently, but perhaps with a growing popularity, we’ll see it expand into the US (or maybe you can build one for the US…)

This app searches Twitter for real-time snow reports and displays them on the map.  All you have to do is tweet the hashtag #uksnow, the first half of your postcode, and rate the snow that is fallingout of ten (0/10 for nothing, 5/10 for steady snow and 10/10 for arctic blizzard conditions).  Then the tweets automatically update the Google Map every minute.

There is also a UK Snow App for the iPhone making it even easier to update the map!

Literally on a daily basis, I am finding new and innovative ways that people are using Twitter!  With the utilization of hashtags, the innovation is virtually unlimited, and left only to your imagination.

With rich features such as turn by turn GPS navigation, Google Stree View, layers to show you points of interest along the way, and alternate route suggestions when traffic is heavy, the Google Maps for the Nexus One phone is unprecedented.

Here’s more from the Google LatLong blog along with the featured video:

“The Nexus One also comes standard with a super fast 1GHZ processor, 3.7” high-resolution AMOLED display.   You can also use the Google Maps Navigation (beta) for turn-by-turn guidance and traffic.  And having such a large, clear display makes a world of difference.  Maps are more readable, and satellite and street-level imagery look amazing. And when I pull up to my destination and a large, crisp Street View is shown automatically, I know exactly what to look for.”

See the Nexus One Google Maps video below:

Google Base Search Engine

As Google announced several weeks ago, they are going to shutting down the Google Base search engine.

This is the search engine that powered the products search for Google Base advertisers and promoters.

Now if you go the Google Base search engine, you’ll be greeted with this (<< go ahead, give it shot).

Here’s what Google had to say about the Google Base search engine:

“…it isn’t widely used. Instead, people search on Google Product Search for products, or on Google Maps to find houses for rent or sale. Therefore, we’re planning to retire Google Base’s separate search page in a few weeks.”

If you have questions or need support regarding this issue, visit Google’s Merchant Center help forum.

Earlier today we wrote about the breaking news that Google launched a Google Maps Navigation app for their Android 2.0 OS – which will be available on the Motorola Droid phone via Verizon on November 6th.

Google said it would also like to support the iPhone with Google Maps Navigation.

Google’s Response to an iPhone App

According to AppleInsider, Google said:

“Apple is a close partner.  Millions of users experience Google Maps on the iPhone. We will continue to work with Apple to bring innovation, including Latitude and Navigation, to users but you’ll have to speak to Apple about availability.”

What I love about Google is that they do not rely on the approval of one platform approving what they can and cannot bring to the market place.

Just like the Google Voice iPhone App debacle between Apple, AT&T, and the controversy over not approving the Google Voice app, Google Maps Navigation’s future on the iPhone will be up to Apple.

For iPhone’s, and Apple’s sake, I sure to do hope they’ve learned their lesson with the Google Voice iPhone App and let the iPhone become an open source environment for user friendly applications.

Can you hear the GPS industry cringing on their knees?

In the early morning hours (around 1am this morning), Google brought news that no one in the GPS instustry wanted to hear, but probably saw coming from a mile away.

Google announced Google Maps Navigation for Android 2.0 enabled phones.  I just wrote about how Verizon is releasing a Motorola Android 2.0 phone on November 6th.

From Google’s announcement about Google Maps Navigation:

“Today we’re excited to announce the next step for Google Maps for mobile: Google Maps Navigation (Beta) for Android 2.0 devices.

This new feature comes with everything you’d expect to find in a GPS navigation system, like 3D views, turn-by-turn voice guidance and automatic rerouting. But unlike most navigation systems, Google Maps Navigation was built from the ground up to take advantage of your phone’s Internet connection.” [source: Google blog]

Here are 7 things that make Google Maps Navigation unique:

1. Up To The Minute Map Data. You map data is continually updated from Google Maps where people can now submit live updates to map data, business listings, route discrepancies, and more.
2. Search in plain English. This means you don’t even need to know where you’re going exactly.  Just type the name of where you are wanting to go and Google Maps Navigation will do the rest and find it for you.
   
3. Voice Activation GPS. Just put the phone on your dashboard, speak the place that you’re wanting to go, and Google Maps Navigation will do the rest.
4. Live Traffic Data. Along the way, the traffic might be building up, so now with Google Maps Navigation, you can see where the congestion is and alter your route.
5. Search Along The Route. While you are driving down the road, you can now find the nearest business, restaurant, gas station, etc… on your Google Maps Navigation.  This might be handy on the highway and you need a potty break!
6. Satellite View. Now you can see the actual terrain, landmarks, and get a visual of your route with Google Maps Navigation.
7. Street View. If “satellite view” is not enough for you, and you actually want to look at the street itself, no problem.  Google Maps Navigation has “street view”.
   

Here’s a video demo of Google Maps Navigation:

Have you tried to see if Google view is available in your neighborhood yet?

If not, go to Google Maps (http://maps.google.com), search your address, and when the map comes up, look at the zoom in/out bar on the left.  If you see an orange guy standing on top of that zoom bar, just click – drag – drop him on top of your location.  You’ll then see your street view of the address (if there’s one available.

Priceline has just announce a new hotel price mapping service that helps you “track down the right hotel at the right price, fast! Every Hotel Price Map lets you easily filter hotels by price point, star rating, and hotel guest score.” [source: Priceline.com]

The powerful features with this new price mapping service are the filters.  There are 3 main filters that Priceline allows you to initiate on the map.  And each filter will show you exact locations for your desire hotels – from the price mapping service page:

1)  Price Range: This nifty little tool lets you filter the hotels on your map
to the Price Range that works with your budget. To try it out, click on
a city on the left side of this page.

2) Different trips demand different levels of hotel quality and amenities. Use this filter to key in on the hotel Star Rating that’s right for your trip. To try it out, click on a city on the left side of this page.

3) If you believe in the wisdom of fellow travelers, use this filter to narrow your results down to the top Guest Rated hotels.   To try it out, click on a city on the left side of this page.

There are literally thousands of cities to chose from with the new price mapping service.  So check it out, and let us know what you think in the comments below.

I noticed that there are no street views available anywhere on campus!

And then I asked myself – “why in world are there no Google street views on the campus of The University of Georgia”.  I guess it’s really no big deal either way, but I found it sort of strange and I also figured there was probably a very specific reason as to why street views did not exist.

Here’s a quick image for you:

A bit of an explanation here of what you’re looking at.  The small cameras that you see are all of the areas that have Google Maps street view.  If you were to zoom in more, you’d see more cameras popping up.

However, to the right which is The University of Georgia’s campus, there are absolutely not cameras anywhere.  And if you where to continue zooming, or even panning across the rest of the campus, you’d get the same – absolutely no Google Maps street views.

So I couldn’t help but wonder why in the world is there no street views for The University of Georgia.  I checked out some other campuses like Harvard University.  Not only does Harvard have street view covering literally every square inch of campus, but they also have 3D building views of the entire campus.

Just more out of curiosity, I figured I’d write this article to see if anyone out there had any insight as to why The University of Georgia does not have any Google street views on Google Earth or Google Maps?

Is it possible that The University of Georgia has banned street view from campus?  And could they even do that if they wanted to?

Google has just launched Local Listing Ads – a way for a local business to have to gain advertising exposure to a highly targeted prospective audience.

With a Google Local Listing Ad on Google Maps, your ad will only show when someone has searched within a specific category related to your business, AND only when that person is a certain distance from your business.

You will not pay on a “pay per click” basis like you do with Google Adwords.  Instead, Local Listing Ads will be charged on a flat fee monthly basis depending on the location of your business, and the category of your business.

The only downside at the moment is Local Listing Ads are only showing in San Diesgo and San Francisco.  However, you can fill out a form here to get updates on future roll outs for your area.

Here’s a video that explains in more detail the benefits of Google Local Listing Ads on Google Maps:

These actions are being taken apparently because CyanogenMod ROM contains Google’s proprietary applications like YouTube and Google Maps.

The search giant said that Android was created to give any developer the ability to code compelling mobile applications and that Google uses the operating system in the same way. It too is a developer that wanted to create interesting proprietary applications for its Google services.

Cyanogen’s developer commiserates. “I’d love for Google to hand over the keys to the kingdom and let us all have it for free, but that’s not going to happen. And who can blame them,” he asked in a written response to all the news.  [source: MobileBurn.com]

It’s called Monopoly City Streets, and it’s the ultimately mash up for online gaming!

Here’s a description from the Monopoly City Streets website:

On the 9th SEPTEMBER, a world of property empire building on an unimaginable scale will be launched! A live worldwide game of MONOPOLY using Google Maps as the game board. The goal is simple. Play to beat your friends and the world to become the richest property magnate in existence.

Own any street in the world. Build humble houses, crazy castles and stupendous skyscrapers to collect rent. Use MONOPOLY Chance Cards to sabotage your mates by building Hazards on their streets.

Which strategy will you employ? Determined drive? Ingenious daring? Intelligent caution? Will you thrive under the pressure of a fast growing global property empire – or will you crumble? Find out if you’ll thrive, or even survive, in the amazing world of MONOPOLY City Streets. It’s going to be epic fun!

Monopoly City Streets, which is a mashup of Hasbro and Google Maps, will official launch for a 4 month period on Wednesday, September 9th.

Although we aren’t sure whether Hasbro is officially working with Google Maps, or simply utilizing their API, one things for sure – this game is going to very interesting to watch, and play!