Google Maps Rolls Out Speed Limits and Speed Traps

Google Maps has been rolling out speed limits and speed traps into its directions [Source: Android Police]. Having speed limits is pretty normal in maps apps, but speed traps sounds really interesting. It's a really effective feature to getting users to use your navigation app for more trips. Users will receive an audio warning when approaching a speed trap. Hopefully, we can see better driving habits encouraged by this.

A Scary Google Maps Flaw

Google is notorious for putting ads in its products. And can you blame them? Those servers don't pay for themselves. But a simple oversight may require a policy change for Google Maps ads. pudge_og from Reddit found that when they searched "emergency room near me," Google prioritized an urgent care center with limited hours that was further than the other results on the list. This was because it was an ad. While most of us would notice it was an ad, if you're panicking, you may not have time to notice, and that would cost you an extra 15 minutes of driving. By the way, distances aren't even shown on this screen, so it's a total gamble how far the first destination is. It's a scary thought, especially if you're in an area you aren't familiar with. While the circumstance's chances of occurring vary, I think when it comes to looking for emergency rooms, we could probably do without ads.

Google Maps and MAR10 Day

Tomorrow is March 10, which is Mario Day (MAR10), so Nintendo and Google Maps have teamed up to replace the current location point with Mario in a pipe frame kart. With the latest Google Maps update, you can tap the "?" block in the bottom right corner to toggle this theme. This will be available for the next seven days. Google Maps is available from the Apple App Store for free [Direct Link].

Apple Maps Is 3x As Popular As Google Maps On iOS

Although criticized at its launch, Apple Maps has put its awkward past behind it. It was plagued with some bad directions for some people which gave it a bad impression on users, caused Scott Forstall to lose his job, and spawned a joke on the HBO tech-comedy, Silicon Valley. Google Maps even poked fun at Apple by making as big a deal as possible about their Google Maps app for iOS. Now, these issues have been worked out and Apple had a good talk with their data providers in the back room of their headquarters where many people seem to go into, but few come out. Apple Maps is now used three times as much as Google Maps on iOS devices. It should be noted that there is no Apple Maps for Android and there is no Apple Maps user base for Android devices, but there is a Mac app.

"Apple says its mapping service is now used more than three times as often as its next leading competitor on iPhones and iPads, with more than 5 billion map-related requests each week. Research firm comScore says Apple has a modest lead over Google on iPhones in the U.S., though comScore measures how many people use a service in a given month rather than how often."

Google April Fools' Day 2015!

Today, we saw some interesting April Fools' jokes from Google and other companies (including a friendship Minecraft update), but my personal favorite is the PAC-MAN Google Maps joke. Just open Google Maps on your computer. Navigate to a spot you'd like to play (not all areas supported). Click the PAC-MAN pin on the map, or, if there is no pin available, click PAC-MAN. That's it. You can now play PAC-MAN in Google Maps! No one knows how long this will be up, so you should try playing on it now. Have fun!

Self Driving Apple Car?

In Concord, California, a strange Dodge Caravan, supposedly leased to Apple, was spotted roaming around the area. It may be an attempt to improve Apple Maps by adding a "street view" mode. For all we know, it could be Apple's attempt at a self driving car. Check out the video embed below.

Google April Fools' Day 2014!

Today, Google continued their tradition of creating jokes for April Fools' Day with some products that the public wouldn't mind seeing.

Google Maps Pokémon Challenge:

Probably one of the most popular (and my personal favorite) April Fools' jokes by Google this year is the Google Maps Pokémon Challenge. Check out this video to learn more.

(P.S. I've personally caught 27 Pokémon. How many have you caught?)

Google Shelfie:

Google announced that Gmail is 10 years old today (which is true). In honor of this, they've made sharable selfies. It's sort of a joke. The idea is that you can view your face while writing emails and stuff. 

Emoji Translation:

Need I say more?

While I'd love to mention every single joke Google made this year, I can't. But if you'd like to see more, be sure to Google it! Happy April Fools' Day!

Santa is off!

This morning, Santa has lifted off from the North Pole. Google is once again sponsoring him and you can track him on http://www.google.com/santatracker/#/tracker/dashboard. Google is also offering a variety of holiday-themed games and activities.

Google Maps 4 iPhone: Released

I probably should've talked about this a long time ago. Last week, Google bright their map system to iOS as a free app from the App Store. I'm sure you've heard about the whole thing that's been going on with Apple's map system. If not, check out my other posts about the map system. Check out the video:

Apple and Foursquare

"Find Maps for your [iOS Device]
App Collection
Picture Source: Mashable

Yesterday, Denis Crowley (@dens), C.E.O. of Foursquare, and Eddie Cue (@cue), Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services of Apple, now have some interesting rumors building. As you know, Apple's flawed map system is being attempted to be repaired to Apple Standards. However, no further action has taken place other than the "Find Maps for your [iOS Device]" app collection on the App Store. If you look a Eddie Cue's profile on Twitter, you will find a tweet. If you look at his tweets, the one about Foursquare is the last tweet since June. It appears that he is testing it out as this is his first check-in. By the way, he checked in through his iPhone. #Reference2EpicFail Also, Denis Crowley has tweeted that he will be going down to San Francisco. Here are the tweets:

"En route to SF for the week. (@ John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) w/ @andrewparker) http://4sq.com/YWBTEE "

- Denis Crowley

"I'm at Apple - Valley Green 2 (Cupertino, CA) http://4sq.com/SdfrUE "

- Eddie Cue 

This could save Apple Maps with a partnership with Foursquare.

Apple speaking out about their Maps flaws

Recently, Apple C.E.O. Tim Cook wrote a letter concerning iOS 6's Apple Maps flaws. I couldn't find any problems in my area, however, if you search for the Eiffel Tower, you might just find the aftermath of a giant squashing the entire city.

Tim Cook stated:

"To our customers,

At Apple, we strive to make world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to our customers. With the launch of our new Maps last week, we fell short on this commitment. We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better.

We launched Maps initially with the first version of iOS. As time progressed, we wanted to provide our customers with even better Maps including features such as turn-by-turn directions, voice integration, Flyover and vector-based maps. In order to do this, we had to create a new version of Maps from the ground up.

There are already more than 100 million iOS devices using the new Apple Maps, with more and more joining us every day. In just over a week, iOS users with the new Maps have already searched for nearly half a billion locations. The more our customers use our Maps the better it will get and we greatly appreciate all of the feedback we have received from you.

While we’re improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app.

Everything we do at Apple is aimed at making our products the best in the world. We know that you expect that from us, and we will keep working non-stop until Maps lives up to the same incredibly high standard.

Tim Cook

Apple’s CEO"

Apple vs. Samsung

You may know about the tension between Apple and Samsung. I made a quick video about most of the things Samsung has copied, included plug-ins, app icons, and design. Check it out!