The Maps app by Google is a must-have tool while commuting from one place to another. Users need to type in the address or speak it to Google to get directions to the location, but what if you can avoid all that hassle. The search engine biggie has launched a new feature that allows sending directions from Chrome browser to your handheld device. Now users can search commute routes before leaving for the destination.

The announcement was made public by the company itself through its Google+ page. The process is as simple as searching on Google. Just type in send directions in the Chrome omnibox and add the final point. [...]

Google Maps has got a new update (7.2) on Android. Now when you search for directions to a place and there are multiple routes, you will get Google Now card-like options with a new “Start Navigation” button, which saves a tap and a time overall.

The Android app’s latest update tweaks hotel search results by adding sponsored rate and booking links, which places a tiny “ad” icon next to services that paid for exposure.

The information for places such as restaurants, retail stores, etc. also has a minor update. The hours a business is [...]

Just before the Google I/O event the sign-up page for “the new Google Maps” briefly went live showing off atleast one of the things Google has planned for the mega yearly event. Droid-Life managed to grab some screenshots, indicating that the company is working on a smarter Google Maps, which will show the cartography based on the information you are looking for. Users will use a “smarter search box” to highlight just the “things that matter most”.

Ground Transportation, Flights and even Google Earth has been integrated directly into the main Google Maps, making for a more seamless approach towards the mapping use. 

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]

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]

After its acquisition of a number of Map making companies, Apple may be working on a Google Map rival app for iOS. According to 9to5Mac the new maps will be based on technologies from Placebase, C3 Technologies and Poly9. Including an amazing 3D maps mode acquired from C3. The app is set to be released next mont at the WWDC when apple will also announce the next iOS 6.

[9to5Mac]

Google Wants to give you the full Maps experience on the most popular computer system ever made, the Gameboy. Google has deployed thousands of servers to over come the limitations offered by the NES systems. A dial up cartridge allows you to get real time results from said servers. 

Google Maps

Really? A Parisian commercial court in France has fined Google to pay a fine of €500,000 for giving its maps for free.  Bottin Cartographes,  who was on the other side of the lawsuit claimed that the Company ( Google) has leveraged the market by giving away its Google Maps service for free, while others try to make a living off it. 

“We proved the illegality of [Google’s] strategy,” said the prosecution counsel. 

Google plans to Appeal the decision, and believes that the company has not eliminated competition in this segment and is purely giving away its services [...]

If you have updated to the latest version of Google Maps on Android, you will now notice that Maps is now updating indoor locations on its maps app. Google Maps 6.0, which is a free update for phones loaded with Android 2.1 and up, will bring you intimate details of many shopping centres and airports in the US and Japan. The app is also sensitive to which floor you’re on, so if you go up an escalator in the shopping centre, the list of stores will update. 

Now this is seriously useful utilization of your portable handheld device.

[Google Blog]