Google Maps 5.0 update is out!

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NZtechfreak

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#73599 17-Dec-2010 06:45

Google maps 5.0 update is out people!

Includes vector images for better scaling, and limited maps caching, pretty important update. More once its installed!

EDIT: Wow, zooming is awesome with the vector maps, two-finger actions are really nice too, shame there aren't any 3D buildings in the NZ maps (nothing for Auckland CBD, so I'd assume nothing anywhere else either).

Twitter: @nztechfreak
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edge
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#418334 17-Dec-2010 07:20

Thanks for the heads-up

. Just downloaded so haven't had a real play, but the multi-touch rotation etc looks cool. Will be interested to see how the claimed caching improvements in this beta actually improves things if you drop a connection. Will have a play over the next few days.

SpookyAwol

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#418337 17-Dec-2010 07:40

http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2010/12/next-generation-of-mobile-maps.html?utm_source=feedburner&u...

dpw

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#418339 17-Dec-2010 07:49

Just installed and played with mine - fantastic update! You can tilt and rotate the map too. True, there is no 3D data in NZ yet - at least not in Christchurch and Auckland. That shouldn't stop you from playing with US data though :o) Just a super cool update. I guess replacing map tiles with vector graphics contributed to the super fast rendering when zooming in/out.

Thanks Google!

Android user, software developer, a semi-typical (not a gamer) geek, and a Bernese Mountain Dog nut!

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Neets

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#418340 17-Dec-2010 07:53

I guess everyone's hitting the market becuase now the server isn't responding. I'll just have to be patient. Sounds like lots of fun though for those who currently have it.

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Kiwi1971

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#418353 17-Dec-2010 08:42

Brilliant, just in time for my Christmas road trip. I have been playing around with all sorts map caching with limited results. Was going to bite the bullet and just leave data on for navigation. Now I will hopefully be able to cache a lot of the route and save a few shekels. Mind you with the 2Degrees double top ups I am on 50MB is costing $3 at the moment. So yes i am being cheap.

"two-finger actions are really nice too" That's what she said!!!

C'mon who could resist that...oh yeah, everyone else who replied.

OK I am a 39 year old child.

DLS

paragonOfGeek

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#418402 17-Dec-2010 10:14

Just got the update for my nexus one. Very nice, much smoother scrolling, I hope the better caching means that if I am in a rural area with no service the the phone wont become confused if I am slightly off map...like last week.

It would be really nice to be able to cache say the whole north island, I would happily give up the space on the SD card for that. Then have the cached maps update any changes that happen say daily or whatever tickles your fancy.

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Behodar

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#418415 17-Dec-2010 10:26

Neets: I guess everyone's hitting the market becuase now the server isn't responding. I'll just have to be patient. Sounds like lots of fun though for those who currently have it.

It looks like they've just redesigned the Market. It certainly looks different that it did yesterday :)

Neets

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#418426 17-Dec-2010 10:42

Behodar:
Neets: I guess everyone's hitting the market becuase now the server isn't responding. I'll just have to be patient. Sounds like lots of fun though for those who currently have it.

It looks like they've just redesigned the Market. It certainly looks different that it did yesterday :)

Yeah, I had the newer version of Market (for a couple of days). It wouldn't work for any update I had so I used SGS Toolbox and clicked the Market fix and allowed my phone to reboot and it's sorted now. I have the new Map app :-) Cheers

Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900I

NZtechfreak

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#418498 17-Dec-2010 13:41

Interesting commute to work this morning - set the destination and let it load for a bit and then turned off data connection, re-routing worked fine offline, really interesting bit was where part of the map hadn't loaded yet (and obviously wasn't cached being my first time out) - the map was fuzzy and pixelated, but it kept routing me perfectly!

Twitter: @nztechfreak
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lchiu7

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#418505 17-Dec-2010 13:59

Got it pushed to my N1 this morning also and it's pretty nice. I will be in the US in a week so it would be cool to see all the 3D effects working when I am in San Franciso, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Got a local SIM card with a good data plan so I won't be poked by roaming charges :-)

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

ArtooDetoo

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#418514 17-Dec-2010 14:09

NZtechfreak: Interesting commute to work this morning - set the destination and let it load for a bit and then turned off data connection, re-routing worked fine offline, really interesting bit was where part of the map hadn't loaded yet (and obviously wasn't cached being my first time out) - the map was fuzzy and pixelated, but it kept routing me perfectly!

Which strongly suggests that Google has split the maps function from the nav function, since the nav essentially compares the GPS chip's coordinates to the database of waypoints connected by vectors (not unlike vector type fonts). Then the app is loading the appropriate matching tile(s) onto the screen to simulate your position in space.

Up until this update, if the map tiles weren't available, then nav failed which suggests that the nav and Maps were interdependent for function. Since that's no longer the case, it seems that Google has pretty much re-written Nav to lose much of that interdependency. A lot of work went in there I think.

Excellent job Mr Google.

Cheers,
R2D2

Galaxy S has gone to its new owner. HTC Sensation has gone to its new
owner. Galaxy S3 has gone to its new owner. Now using Galaxy Note 3. Skipping Note 4 I think...

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ArtooDetoo

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#418516 17-Dec-2010 14:11

lchiu7: Got it pushed to my N1 this morning also and it's pretty nice. I will be in the US in a week so it would be cool to see all the 3D effects working when I am in San Franciso, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Got a local SIM card with a good data plan so I won't be poked by roaming charges :-)

Care to share? I'm going to be in the US soon, so any advice on local carrier, SIM and plans happily received.

Cheers,
R2D2

Galaxy S has gone to its new owner. HTC Sensation has gone to its new
owner. Galaxy S3 has gone to its new owner. Now using Galaxy Note 3. Skipping Note 4 I think...

lchiu7

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#418522 17-Dec-2010 14:28

ArtooDetoo:
lchiu7: Got it pushed to my N1 this morning also and it's pretty nice. I will be in the US in a week so it would be cool to see all the 3D effects working when I am in San Franciso, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Got a local SIM card with a good data plan so I won't be poked by roaming charges :-)

Care to share? I'm going to be in the US soon, so any advice on local carrier, SIM and plans happily received.

Cheers,
R2D2

I am buying the $30 plan mentioned here

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/prepaid-plans.aspx

A good balance between calls and data.

You can buy the SIM in one of their stores but when I called them, they said it would be cheaper to buy the SIM card directly from them and then activate the SIM and top up via their toll free number. So I just had the SIM mailed to a friend's house. THe SIM cost US$5+tax and shipping so about $7.

It's a monthly plan but like 2Degrees, you can have it month by month.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

ArtooDetoo

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#418532 17-Dec-2010 15:16

lchiu7:
ArtooDetoo:
lchiu7: Got it pushed to my N1 this morning also and it's pretty nice. I will be in the US in a week so it would be cool to see all the 3D effects working when I am in San Franciso, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Got a local SIM card with a good data plan so I won't be poked by roaming charges :-)

Care to share? I'm going to be in the US soon, so any advice on local carrier, SIM and plans happily received.

Cheers,
R2D2

I am buying the $30 plan mentioned here

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/prepaid-plans.aspx

A good balance between calls and data.

You can buy the SIM in one of their stores but when I called them, they said it would be cheaper to buy the SIM card directly from them and then activate the SIM and top up via their toll free number. So I just had the SIM mailed to a friend's house. THe SIM cost US$5+tax and shipping so about $7.

It's a monthly plan but like 2Degrees, you can have it month by month.

Many thanks for that.

Cheers,
R2D2

Galaxy S has gone to its new owner. HTC Sensation has gone to its new
owner. Galaxy S3 has gone to its new owner. Now using Galaxy Note 3. Skipping Note 4 I think...

squbel

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#418544 17-Dec-2010 16:15

Unfortunately there are no 3d cities in NZ. Nearest 3d city is Melbourne.

List of 3d buildings supported cities:

google.com/mobile/maps/3d/

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