Google Overhauls Maps For AndroidGoogle Overhauls Maps For Android

Google recently provided a significant refresh of Maps for the Android platform. Maps for Mobile 4.1 now has an updated results page, a trick swipe-to-see-more feature, live wallpapers and a new latitude widget. Oh, and Google is now serving ads in Maps.Yesterday Google made a new version of Maps for Mobile available to Android devices running Android 1.6 and up. The new version offers four new features and a slightly updated look to the application.

The first thing users might notice is the new search results page. Google decided to ditch the tabs it was previously using and now provides all the info on one page. It has new buttons that users can tap to see the place on the map, get directions, call it, or see it with Street View.

The neatest new feature is the ability to swipe through results. When you're looking at a search result, rather than returning to the results lists, simply swipe to see information about the next result on the list.

Other new features include the ability to add a Latitude widget to the Maps home screen. Once the widget is added, users will be able to more quickly spot their Latitude-using friends. Android phones running system 2.1 and up will also be able to enable live wallpaper. This will provide real-time movement to Latitude friends as they move from place-to-place in real life. Maps 4.1 also lets users switch from Google account to Google account seamlessly. This lets you pick and choose which features are being used at a given time depending on which account you want to use.

The price users will pay for this update? Google is now serving ads within the maps. I noticed right away that a thin strip appeared at the top of the map with a text ad for something completely non-relavent to what I was searching for on the map.

It is also somewhat buggy. I had Maps 4.1 crash on my Droid five times in a row. I had to give up using it for a while.

So, if you don't mind advertisements and bugs, feel free to update to Maps 4.1 for Android.