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The redesigned Google Maps for desktop begins rolling out to all users

Feb19
by on February 19, 2014 at 7:05 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Google

145812100 520x245 The redesigned Google Maps for desktop begins rolling out to all users

Google is finally bringing its redesigned Google Maps desktop experience to the masses.

After unveiling it as a ‘preview’ during its annual I/O conference last year, Google will now make it the default for users everywhere. It’s worth noting that this version has been available for anyone to access by heading to maps.google.com/preview since last July, however.

png base649c09923ccb858940 730x360 The redesigned Google Maps for desktop begins rolling out to all usersIt’s a radical overhaul that focuses on full-screen maps and smart discovery features that take into account nearby businesses and where you’re headed. Whe asking for directions, It’s also possible to compare different forms of transportation and instantly switch to Earth View – which has been brought in from Google Earth for the first time.

For a full re-cap, it’s worth revisiting this Google promo video from last May:

Google says it’ll be rolling out the updated Google Maps over the coming weeks. “With any product redesign, there may be bumps along the road,” Brian McClendon, VP of Google Maps said. “We’re hoping that you’re as excited as we are to navigate uncharted territory in pursuit of the perfect map.”

➤ Thank you, and welcome to the new Google Maps (Blog Post)

Image Credit:  Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Nextt’s iOS and Android apps for making plans with friends now include a ‘self-destruct’ feature

Feb19
by on February 19, 2014 at 6:55 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Insider, Product Updates

Nextt 220x347 Nextts iOS and Android apps for making plans with friends now include a self destruct featureNextt, the app that wants to make it easier for groups of friends to make plans offline, has been updated for iOS and Android to include a self-destruct option so that suggested plans now have an expiry date by default. Be quick or miss out, is the general idea.

The update also brought a couple more new features, like better integrated private messaging that allows you to have a conversation with a friend about an event and then use Nextt’s planning features to nail down the who, when and where.

And if your friends aren’t using Nextt, they will now get “hassle-free notifications” via email or SMS. These link to a dedicated space where the unregistered user can catch up on all the event details.

➤ Nextt | Google Play | App Store

Feature Image Credit – Shutterstock

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a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

Nextt’s iOS and Android apps for making plans with friends now include a ‘self-destruct’ feature

Feb19
by on February 19, 2014 at 6:55 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Insider, Product Updates

Nextt 220x347 Nextts iOS and Android apps for making plans with friends now include a self destruct featureNextt, the app that wants to make it easier for groups of friends to make plans offline, has been updated for iOS and Android to include a self-destruct option so that suggested plans now have an expiry date by default. Be quick or miss out, is the general idea.

The update also brought a couple more new features, like better integrated private messaging that allows you to have a conversation with a friend about an event and then use Nextt’s planning features to nail down the who, when and where.

And if your friends aren’t using Nextt, they will now get “hassle-free notifications” via email or SMS. These link to a dedicated space where the unregistered user can catch up on all the event details.

➤ Nextt | Google Play | App Store

Feature Image Credit – Shutterstock

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Google wants to bring Google Fiber gigabit Internet to 34 new cities in the US

Feb19
by on February 19, 2014 at 6:25 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Google, Insider

Screen Shot 2014 02 19 at 18.27.07 520x245 Google wants to bring Google Fiber gigabit Internet to 34 new cities in the US

Google is planning a huge expansion for Google Fiber, its ultra-fast Internet and television service in the United States. The company has reached out to 34 cities, spanning nine metro areas across the country, to see what, if any, roadblocks there are to rolling out Google Fiber in their area.

At the moment, Google Fiber is only available in Kansas City, Kansas and Provo, Utah – with plans to support Austin, Texas by mid-2014. support Austin, Texas by mid-2014. While the initiative has certainly attracted attention, it’s only affected a tiny proportion of the United States population up until now.

The new municipalities that Google is considering are:

Avondales Estates, Brookhaven, College Park, Decatur, East Point, Hapeville, Sandy Springs and Smyrna (Atlanta); Scottsdale and Tempe (Pheonix); Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham, Lake Oswego and Tigard (Portland); Carrborro, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, Morrisville and Raleigh (Raleigh-Durham); Santa Clara, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and Palo Alto (San Jose); Charlotte, Nashville, Salt Lake City and San Antonio.

1200map updated green2 730x408 Google wants to bring Google Fiber gigabit Internet to 34 new cities in the US

Google says that it’ll announce which of the new cities will receive Google Fiber by the end of the year. For each location, the company will consider a number of factors that could affect the roll-out, such as the nature of the landscape, the density of housing and local infrastructure. City leaders, meanwhile, will be asked to provide information about the current conduit, water, gas and electricity lines in their area.

“They’ll also help us find ways to access existing infrastructure—like utility poles—so we don’t unnecessarily dig up streets or have to put up a new pole next to an existing one,” Milo Medin, VP for Google Access Services said.

Before you check the map though, heed Google’s warning that “it might not work out for everyone.” Although it’s considering 34 cities, there’s no guarantee that they’ll all be approved for Google Fiber.

➤ Exploring new cities for Google Fiber (Blog Post)

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a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

Google wants to bring Google Fiber gigabit Internet to 34 new cities in the US

Feb19
by on February 19, 2014 at 6:25 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Google, Insider

Screen Shot 2014 02 19 at 18.27.07 520x245 Google wants to bring Google Fiber gigabit Internet to 34 new cities in the US

Google is planning a huge expansion for Google Fiber, its ultra-fast Internet and television service in the United States. The company has reached out to 34 cities, spanning nine metro areas across the country, to see what, if any, roadblocks there are to rolling out Google Fiber in their area.

At the moment, Google Fiber is only available in Kansas City, Kansas and Provo, Utah – with plans to support Austin, Texas by mid-2014. support Austin, Texas by mid-2014. While the initiative has certainly attracted attention, it’s only affected a tiny proportion of the United States population up until now.

The new municipalities that Google is considering are:

Avondales Estates, Brookhaven, College Park, Decatur, East Point, Hapeville, Sandy Springs and Smyrna (Atlanta); Scottsdale and Tempe (Pheonix); Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham, Lake Oswego and Tigard (Portland); Carrborro, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, Morrisville and Raleigh (Raleigh-Durham); Santa Clara, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and Palo Alto (San Jose); Charlotte, Nashville, Salt Lake City and San Antonio.

1200map updated green2 730x408 Google wants to bring Google Fiber gigabit Internet to 34 new cities in the US

Google says that it’ll announce which of the new cities will receive Google Fiber by the end of the year. For each location, the company will consider a number of factors that could affect the roll-out, such as the nature of the landscape, the density of housing and local infrastructure. City leaders, meanwhile, will be asked to provide information about the current conduit, water, gas and electricity lines in their area.

“They’ll also help us find ways to access existing infrastructure—like utility poles—so we don’t unnecessarily dig up streets or have to put up a new pole next to an existing one,” Milo Medin, VP for Google Access Services said.

Before you check the map though, heed Google’s warning that “it might not work out for everyone.” Although it’s considering 34 cities, there’s no guarantee that they’ll all be approved for Google Fiber.

➤ Exploring new cities for Google Fiber (Blog Post)

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