Tag: google maps

Google Maps For iOS Updated To Version 1.1

Google has released its first update to Google Maps for iOS, bringing some features over from Android and the web.

Version 1.1, available on the App Store on Tuesday, now allows users to search for addresses based on their Google Contacts if they choose to log into their Google accounts. Additionally, the app now allows users to search for general categories like “restaurants,” “bars,” “gas stations,” and so on. Non-US users will also rejoice at the ability to choose between kilometers and miles for the app’s distance estimates.

Users can now sync up previously-searched locations based on contact information, so if you have an address saved under Mom, searching by name will point you to the place on the map.

Google asks customers to note that some of these features “may not be available in all countries.”

Google Maps is a free download from the App Store.

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Full change log for Google Maps version 1.1:

– Search your Google Contacts; sign in to have your saved addresses show up when you search for friends and family by name.
– Quickly search for local places by selecting popular categories such as restaurants, bars, cafes, gas stations, etc.
– Choose between Kilometers or Miles for your preferred distance units.
– Note that some features may not be available in all countries.

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March 6, 2013
Google Maps For iOS Download Hits 10 Million In First 2 Days

More than 10 million iOS users sprinted back into the arms of Google Maps the weekend after the new third-party app was released, according to a Google+ post from Jeff Huber, a senior vice president at the company. With its vector graphics and exclusive features like Street View, the app is obviously a hit.

There’s no doubt that millions of consumers were waiting for the Google Maps release, as Apple’s software, which replaced Google back in September, has been plagued withinaccurate location data and other bugs since its debut.

Considering the app has not been optimized yet for the iPad, that number will balloon once again when it is made into a universal app.

Now, for some context, here are some other app launch stats: OS X Mountain Lion, Apple’s latest Mac OS, was downloaded 3 million times during its first 4 days. And thejailbreak utility Absinthe saw about 1 million in its first day.

December 18, 2012
Google Maps for iPhone released on Apple iTunes App store : Updated

As it was awaited and predicted the dedicated app for Google Maps for iPhone running iOS 6 and up, has been released on the iTunes Store and it also brings turn by turn voice guided navigation. Apple had decided to remove all Google related apps from its OS in iOS 6 and onward and specifically replace the maps app with their own iOS Maps application. The Apple Maps were not very detailed and caused a lot of problems for owners and Apple alike.

Here are the detailed options available in the Google Maps for iPhone app:

Search
* Find addresses, places and businesses around the world with Google local search.
* Discover places to eat, drink, shop and play, with ratings and local reviews.
* Sign in to sync your searches, directions, and favorite places between your computer and your phone.

Directions
* Get voice guided, turn-by-turn driving directions.
* Find your way by train, bus, subway or walking directions.
* Access live traffic information in cities across the world.

Street View and imagery
* View 360-degree panoramas of places around the globe with Street View.
* See inside more than 100,000 businesses worldwide.
* View high resolution satellite imagery of locations around the world.

Simple and easy to use
* An entirely new Google Maps experience on your iPhone.
* Newly designed and streamlined interface for even easier navigation of your world.
* Use gestures to explore the map and browse results.

Update: Apparently the app works cross platform. : Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 5.1 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

Download Link

December 13, 2012
Google Maps For iOS Nearing Release : WSJ

Google Maps for iOS is almost ready for release to Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices, reports the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

The WSJ report uses information from someone knowledgeable about Google Maps software development. The source reveals that Google handed out a test version of a new Google Maps for iOS app to put final changes before submitting it to the Apple App Store.

While it’s expected that Google’s iOS Maps will include walking and transit directions, the WSJ’s source claims that Google will also bundle its turn-by-turn navigation feature, available free on all Android devices, in the app. This would bring the functionality to par with Apple Maps, which is why some pundits still think Apple will not approve the app when it is submitted.

Google Maps for iOS could see the company derive a huge amount of revenue from sponsored business listings and other product tie-ins. But while it’s possible to change default apps in Android, Apple Maps will continue to be the default service used within third-party apps.

Google apps such as YouTube, Google+ and Search are available on iOS, and are very popular despite not being integrated directly into the operating system. Apple would not comment on the matter, but it would seem likely that they view Google’s services as a thorn in its proverbial side.

November 17, 2012
Launched : Nokia Here Cloud Maps for iOS, Android and others (PR)

Looks like it was the right opportunity for Nokia to jump on the iOS maps bashing wagon. No one does maps like Nokia and with iPhone users feeling the incompleteness of iOS Maps, Nokia has stepped on to the winning plate with Nokia HERE. A cloud service delivering excellent mapping for those all over the world on any device.

[quote]Titled “Here,” it’ll tap into Nokia’s map expertise and better still, work across multiple devices and operating systems — CEO Stephen Elop, attending the launch event in San Francisco[/quote]

The new web-based map is live now and will work on any PC running Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Chrome and Macs using Safari, Firefox or Chrome. On mobile, it’ll run on iOS 4+ and Android 2.2’s (or above) internet browser.

Reports also claim that iOS and Android Apps are already on their way pending approval from the “authorities”. Nokia will have a Here SDK for Android and a web version of Nokia Here maps for Firefox OS ready by early next year.

Nokia has seen 75 times more use of its mapping data compared to last year, and it’s looking to tap into user-submitted data. A new Map Creator tool will let people assign more specific information and detail to Nokia’s original maps and satellite photos. Nokia Here.net will allow users to log in using their Nokia accounts or create new ones to save places as “collections” add images etc. which will all be launched soon.

According to reports iOS app for Nokia Here will provide offline maps, voice guided walking directions and public transportation directions at launch. Additionally, Nokia revealed the name for the technology powering its City Lens app. Live Sight will be available and in other applications as well.

Nokia will also foray into 3D mapping by acquiring company “earthmine Inc.”based in Berkeley, California, is a privately-owned company that develops a powerful end-to-end 3D street level imaging solution – from collection hardware to processing workflows, cloud hosting and client software. This information is to be used for future expansion of Nokia Here service.

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Nokia redefines digital map landscape by introducing HERE as new brand for its location and mapping service

Nokia extends its service across devices and operating systems

Nokia announces new partnership with Mozilla and planned acquisition of 3D capture company, earthmine

San Francisco, California – Today Nokia introduced HERE, the first location cloud to deliver the world’s best maps and location experiences across multiple screens and operating systems. With the new brand, HERE, Nokia aims to inspire a new generation of location services and devices that make the mobile experience more personally significant for people everywhere.

“People want great maps, and with HERE we can bring together Nokia’s location offering to deliver people a better way to explore, discover and share their world,” said Nokia President and CEO Stephen Elop. “Additionally, with HERE we can extend our 20 years of location expertise to new devices and operating systems that reach beyond Nokia. As a result, we believe that more people benefit from and contribute to our leading mapping and location service.”

Pushing location beyond Nokia

To further extend its location services, Nokia is launching a maps application for iOS under the HERE brand. Based on HTML5, it will include offline capabilities, voice-guided walk navigation, and public transport directions. The application is scheduled to be available for free download from Apple’s App Store in the coming weeks.

Nokia further announced a strategic partnership with Mozilla to bring new location experiences to the Firefox OS. Nokia plans to debut a mobile Web version of HERE Maps for the new Firefox OS next year. The companies are working together to give people the best mapping experience on Firefox OS.

“Mozilla is a leader in HTML5, building the Web as a platform for developing compelling applications, and location is a key part of that platform,” said Jay Sullivan, Mozilla Vice President of Products. “We are excited to work with Nokia as the combination of Firefox OS and HERE’s location platform provides rich possibilities for mobile application developers to create amazing experiences for users.”

Nokia also demonstrated an Android OS-based reference application and announced plans for the availability of a HERE SDK for Android OEMs in early 2013. This is aimed at enabling partners to create location-based applications for Android devices with Nokia’s leading content.

Innovating modern mapmaking
To advance the 3D capabilities of HERE, Nokia announced the planned acquisition of Berkeley, Calif. company earthmine. The company’s reality capture and processing technologies will become integral parts of HERE’s 3D map making capabilities.

Nokia expects the transaction to close by the end of 2012.

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[Here (Nokia), (2)]

“Maps are hard to get right – but location is revolutionizing how we use technology to engage with the real world,” said Michael Halbherr, Executive Vice President of Location & Commerce and responsible for the HERE brand. “That’s why we have been investing and will continue to invest in building the world’s most powerful location offering, one that is unlike anything in the market today.”

Using LiveSight(TM) to see more of the real world
As part of its announcement, Nokia introduced LiveSight(TM), a technology based on a highly accurate, 3D map of the world. LiveSight(TM) provides the most precise and intuitive augmented reality experience and uses a phone’s camera viewfinder to make discovering the world as easy as lifting up a phone. Nokia City Lens, which was developed exclusively for Nokia Lumia devices, is the first application providing a LiveSight-enabled experience.

“Establishing a new brand is the right move for Nokia in the map and location business. Nokia’s assets in this space are world class. We believe mapping and location will be increasingly important to developing next generation devices and services across a wide array of segments,” said Crawford Del Prete, Executive Vice President and Head of worldwide research at IDC.

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Nokia To Acquire earthmine Inc.

BERKELEY, CA – November 13th, 2012 – earthmine Inc. announced today that it is has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Nokia. earthmine, based in Berkeley, California, is a privately-owned company that develops a powerful end-to-end 3D street level imaging solution – from collection hardware to processing workflows, cloud hosting and client software.

The earthmine team is expected to join the Nokia Location & Commerce business and Berkeley, California will become a key site for the development of 3D reality capture technology.

“We are very excited to be joining Nokia – a company with a huge presence and vision in mapping,” said John Ristevski, co-CEO of earthmine Inc. “We could not hope for a better place to fulfill and accelerate our mission of indexing the world in 3D.

November 14, 2012
Google : Maps App Might Struggle For Apple approval

Those hoping to see Google Maps return to the iPhone might not want to hold their breath.

Sources at Google familiar with its mapping plans say they are “not optimistic” that Apple will ever approve a dedicated Google Maps iOS app. Though the app is reportedly in development and should be ready to ship by the end of the year, the sources say their plans are only proceeding in “the unlikely event” that Apple will choose to approve the app.

Although any user can bookmark a page on the Safari browser linking to maps.google.com, many have been hoping that Apple will allow Google Maps back on the iPhone as a dedicated third-party app via the App Store. But there are doubts among some circles inside Google that such an app, when completed, would be approved by Apple.

While one source indicated increased hopes that the dedicated Google Maps iOS app will eventually be approved now that Apple’s maps leader, Scott Forstall, has departed the company, another was less than enthusiastic about any increased prospects, citing industry politics and Apple’s need to save face as much as possible and “keep moving forward in an effort to make its obviously inferior product better”. The source also cites the present organisation of the App Store, which, to them, suggests Apple has little interested in approving an official Google Maps app.

The release in mid-September of Apple’s latest mobile operating system, iOS 6, which runs on the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and is pre-installed on the iPhone 5, saw Apple replace Google Maps as the phone’s mapping software of choice with Apple’s own in-house mapping solution. Apple’s Maps app was widely panned by both the technology press and consumers. The software saw train stations disappear, an airport relocated miles from where it should be, and local points-of-interest, like cafes and shops, completely erased from streets. Public transport information and some locations were lost. The addition of turn-by-turn navigation and vector graphics – which Google had refused to provide to Apple on the iPhone – did not satisfy a significant number of users.

Although chief executive Tim Cook said in October that 200 million devices had been upgraded to iOS 6, the new maps are seen as Apple’s most significant recent failure, and led Cook to issue a rare public apology on behalf of the company. Internal strife over the new maps was so great it reportedly became a key part of what led Cook last week tofire Forstall, the chief architect of Apple’s iOS and the one finally responsible for choosing to replace Google’s maps with Apple’s own.

Google’s sources though do not think their own Maps app would be approved quickly. Specifically, they point to the lack of any mapping app in the “Find maps for your iPhone” section of the App Store – accessible only via iPhones or iPads – that use the Google Maps APIs to call wirelessly for location, routing or point-of-interest (POI) data.

Further, a source at Google told me the feeling is that those apps were purposely left out of the new section because they promote Google and its “superior product” – at a time when there is so much bad blood between the companies over the continuing smartphone patent litigation (following allegations from the late Steve Jobs that Google’s Android OS ripped off iOS). In other words, no matter how bad Apple’s Maps are, the company still wants its users to move on from Google – and forget about them. This doesn’t bode well for the approval of an official Google Maps app, the source says.

[The Guardian]

November 7, 2012
Vector based Google Maps App for iOS 6 leaks out in blurry images

If you are as upset as the rest of the world using an iDevice on iOS 6, Google just might come to your rescue with a Google Maps app for iOS 6. San Francisco-based software developer Ben Guild has posted some details about Google’s upcoming maps app, including some super low res blurry a$$ images if we have seen any. Guild says the app will be “ vector-based,” will feature “two-finger rotation for any angle” and will be formatted for the iPhone 5?s four-inch display.

Looks like iPhone 5 users, along with other iOS 6 users will be happy after all, now that they can navigate to their favorite Starbucks. Oh wait, we still don’t have those in India!

[Source]

October 15, 2012
Google Maps Street View Web App Launching Tomorrow, Will Work On iPhone, iPad

Google will add its popular Street View feature to the Google Maps web app, accessible on iOS devices, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The newspaper said the feature will be rolled out on Thursday, and tech correspondent Walt Mossberg has already tested the new version of the browser-based service.

Google has been apparently working on adding this integration to the HTML5-based app since the launch of iOS 6, and the feature will be compatible on the iPhone and iPad through Mobile Safari. The addition is a precursor to what most pundits believe is a push to add a dedicated Google Maps app to iOS, like Google just did with YouTube.

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt said in September that no standalone mapping app has been submitted to Apple’s App Store, and declined to elaborate on the company’s future plans regarding and iOS version of Google Maps. Such an app is believed to be in the works, however, as Google wants to keep a strong presence on Apple’s mobile platform, evidenced in the recent introduction of a standalone YouTube app.

October 4, 2012
Google Introduces Voice Navigation To India

Commuters in India are all set to get turn-by-turn, voice-guided directions, using the Google Maps Navigation. In addition, if you’re living in Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad, you’ll find that live traffic updates feature just got activated on your maps menu.

You can even speak your destination into your phone and have your route set for you. A country-specific option lets you set the voice to an Indian accent for easier comprehension.

[quote]“Whether you’re heading to the Bengaluru airport for a business trip or visiting Agra’s world-famous Taj Mahal for a weekend of sightseeing with friends, Google Maps Navigation has you covered,” say Darren Baker, product manager and Suren Ruhela, senior program manager, Google Maps, in a statement posted on the Google India blog.[/quote]

While Navigation app was always a feature of Android phones in India, the service was not supported officially. It used to show just the route and lacked support for voice instructions. Currently, the Navigation feature is in beta and Google tells users to exercise caution while using it.

September 8, 2012
Google Maps adds Schedules For over a 1 Million Transit Stops Globally, Adds Public Transport and city borders to Android

Google Maps now features public transit schedules for more than 500 cities and one million transit stops worldwide. it is also applicable on their new Android app, the updated Google Maps app now, allows users to choose which specific mode of transportation (train, bus, tram or subway) they want to see on their maps.

Also, whenever you search for a city or postal code, for example, you will now see the borders of that region. My Places feature now also makes it easier to access your saved offline maps and custom maps, and if you have Location History enabled, you can now use the app to “browse the places you’ve been on a daily basis with an updated Location History dashboard.”

Google is also supposedly working on an iOS dedicated maps app, which is a possibility, especially because Apple will use their own maps in iOS 6.

August 16, 2012
Google Maps adds walking directions for 44 African nations

Google has just announced an update for its popular Maps service, extending support for walking directions to 44 African countries. Following the mandatory safety warnings that come with the beta tag (routes may be missing pedestrian crossings etc.), Google is encouraging residents to try out the service, available today on both web and mobile. A separate update will no doubt be appreciated by cyclists in Europe and Australia.

As the African continent develops, there should be no shortage of users for the mobile version of the service. Telecoms & Media reported last year that Africa is now the second most connected region in the world in terms of its mobile subscription count. There are currently more than 500 million mobile users on the continent, and by 2015, there are expected to be 265 million mobile broadband subscriptions in Africa, a significant increase from the current estimate of 12 million.

Support for cycling directions has also been improved. Previously only available in the US and Canada, the service has now been extended to both Australia and Europe, just in time for the yearly post-Tour de France cycling enthusiasm. Routes devised for biking are designed to make use of dedicated bike lanes and avoid significant hills whenever possible.

July 13, 2012
Google Indoor Maps come to UK

Google Indoor maps was launched in the US last year mapping all the insides of malls, hotels, etc. But now Google has started to expand the reach of indoor maps, extending to more than 40 indoor venues in the UK including a mix of museums, stations, malls and airports in the main mostly in London. With building owners being able to upload their own maps, however, this should / could expand quickly. Hit the Google Lat-Lon blog for more info.

[Google Lat-Lon]

July 4, 2012
iOS 6 and How : Top 6 Features of iOS 6

Apple has just announced the new iOS 6 for their iOS Devices, and incase you have any doubts we have a compiled list of what device gets what features from iOS 6: here. The new iOS 6 has 200 new features. Some are minor, like Mail VIP inbox, and some are intense and exciting, like a brand new Maps app complete with 3D rendering. Now, Apple only showed off ten of the new features and we are taking about the top 6 of those features.

1.Phone

The biggest new improvement to the iOS has to be the Phone app, if you swipe up during an incoming call (much like the Camera shortcut), two small banners will appear at the bottom of the screen right above the Answer and Ignore buttons. These banners will allow you to either remind yourself to call said person back, or text message them.

With options for reminders like, when i leave (current location) or when i reach home, etc. Making the phone a completely different device all together. There are also text replies, which Nokia devices have had forever now, there are a couple quick replies like “I’ll call you later” or “What’s up?” which can be sent with the press of a button.

Apple has also added a Do Not Disturb mode, Users will be able to block out all incoming calls and messages. The messages and notifications will come but the screen will not light up. Also banners, alerts, noises, flashing LED lights will not be a bother. ‘

2. Maps

After acquiring three mapping companies over the past few years, Apple has finally released their own Mapping solution for their iOS devices, and bid Google a fair goodbye. This couldn’t have happened sooner, considering the non-reliable Google Maps especially in countries like India.

Apple designed the whole system themselves, including the cartography, which is why you may notice a differently colored icon for Maps come iOS 6 update time. The app will offer turn-by-turn navigation and, most notably, a 3D “Flyover”, You’ll be able to pan, tilt, zoom, and rotate inside Flyover mode.

Turn by Turn directions are said to be made available globally, hopefully in India as-well. They a spoken aloud in the familiar voice of Siri, the maps will be available to be viewed in 3D mode, and will offer different routes should traffic conditions change up the ETA. Traffic conditions will be monitored by crowd sourced updates, (it is known that these updates are powered by Waze, Getchee, Localeze, Urban Mapping, DMTI, MapData Sciences and, of course, TomTom.)

The Maps will be available full-fledged for the whole world and according to Apple have listings for over 100 million small businesses, with Yelp listings integrated.

3. Facebook Integration

Although it was already known that Apple was going to implement this add-on in iOS, but the sheer method and deep integration has left us in awe of the OS. After signing in once with your username and password, you’ll be able to post instantly to Facebook from anywhere in the new mobile operating system. In fact, if your hands are busy , Siri can do it for you.

Photos, links, locations, Game Center content, “and more” can all be posted straight to the Social Network, and you are now able to “Like” different apps and songs in iTunes and App Store. Apple also opened up a public Facebook iOS 6 API, for developers to include integration in their apps.

All your event and Birthdays from your Facebook are seamlessly synchronized with the calendar app to give you updates and reminders in real time on your personal iOS device.

4. Passbook

Imagine a world where you didn’t have a huge stack of promotional membership cards, discount cards, access cards, tickets etc, Just one simple consolidated pass. That may actually come true with Passbook, Apples new app that allows you to store movie tickets, boarding passes, coupons, and retail loyalty cards in one place. You can scan your iPhone to check in for a flight, get in to a movie, or redeem a coupon.

The App also has geolocations, so the minute you walk into your favorite coffee shop, (example used Starbucks) the card will pop up as a notification, it will display the balance and can be scanned to be redeemed while ordering. Similarly, you arrive at the airport, your boarding pass will appear as a notification on the home screen for easy access.

The Passbook app can even check to see if your flight is delayed or if your gate has changed, and alerts you immediately. If the Gate number is changed it automatically updates on your Passbook.

This service will kick off in the US , but we are pretty sure globally it will become a hit, especially with retailers looking to cut costs. Starbucks, Fandango, Target, Amtrak, United, the Apple Store, MLB.com, and W Hotels are already on board, but none of those are a part of the Indian Businesses list.

We are Hopeful that passbook catches on really fast in India. So all your movie tickets show up in your iOS device.

5. Siri

Siri comes to the world fully, with local searches and total availability. But, thats not the big news. The big news according to Apple is that Siri can now open apps, so if you are like us and have a ton of Apps on the iOS device. Then you will constantly find yourself searching for the App in spotlight, iOS 6 eliminates that by allowing Siri to open these Apps. Now all you need to do is say ” open Temple Run” and the game starts playing. But , do we really need that?

Siri advancements include access to sports, restaurant, and movie information, with the ability to look up Yelp reviews, ratings and prices along with making reservation on Open Table. Now again most of these features remain US centric, but hopefully they come our side soon. You could then probably look Up IPL rankings by just asking Siri.

The most interesting reveal was possibly the “Eyes Free” link. This will allow car manufacturers to integrate Siri into their Cars system, by a simple button on the cars steering wheel, which would call up Siri but not light up the display of the phone. Then you can make calls send messages all without taking your eyes off of the road, or hands off of the wheel.

The other important fact is that Siri will come to the newest gen iPad (launched this year).

6. Safari

The major chunk of the mobile internet access comes from iOS devices every year, it was only fair that Apple upgrade their browser, to become even better. iCloud Tabs keeps track of which pages you have open on your devices, so you can start browsing on one device and pick up right where you left off on whatever device is handy.

Safari now saves web pages, not just links, in your Reading List, so you can catch up on your reading even when you can’t connect to the Internet. The best addition according to us is the ability for the browser to upload images from the photo gallery, when you want to create a listing on Ebay etc, or wanna share a photo on Facebook from the browser.

You can take photos and video, or choose from your Camera Roll, without leaving Safari. When you really want to see the whole picture, turn your iPhone or iPod touch to landscape and tap the full-screen icon to view web pages without distractions.

iOS 6 was released as a beta yesterday, but the final version will ship “This Fall”. iOS 6 will also allow FaceTime calls over cellular (Read – 3G – 4G) and new accessibility features, that will allow you to lo

What is your favorite feature of the new iOS?

June 13, 2012
Google Maps for Android adds Zagat-based Restaurant Reviews

When Google completed a $151 million acquisition ofrestaurant rating firm Zagat in September it was seen as an attempt to compete with Yelp’s popular online rating service and it was only a matter of time before they integrated the service into their products. On Wednesday, Google Maps for Android was updated to prominently feature Zagat-based reviews on many restaurants around the world. The changes announced on Wednesday, a video on youtube by googlemaps, eliminates an annual $25 subscription fee that Zagat had been charging for online access to its surveys of diners. Those diners have rated about 35,000 restaurants in more than 100 cities around the world.

This integration is part of a larger rollout called Google+ Local, on which you can get personalized recommendations from people in your Google+ Circles. According to Google’s Lat-Long Blog,[quote] Each place you see in Google+ Local will now be scored using Zagat’s 30 point scale, which tells you all about the various aspects of a place so you can make the best decisions. For example, a restaurant that has great food but not great decor might be 4 stars, but with Zagat you’d see a 26 in Food and an 8 in Decor, and know that it might not be the best place for date night.[/quote]

Zagat uses a 30 point rating system which includes everything, from food to the ambiance.

Google’s check-in services have never really taken off, so Local’s renewed focus on personalized recommendations goes a long way to making Places relevant again.

The update for Google maps was made available in the play store on Wednesday.

June 4, 2012
Google Maps adds Work and Home Locations bookmarks for the daily navigators

Do you use Google Maps to navigate to your destinations on a daily basis ? Google just made it a tad bit easy for you to go about your daily business, by adding the option of permanently tagging important places by their familiar names.An update to the web version of Maps now lets you define specific home and work locations that will stay attached to your Google account, and its all computer independent and all you need is a login into your Google Account.

The update is already live, so check it out.

[Google Lat Long Blog]

May 16, 2012