Posts Tagged ‘Google’

Google Maps 4.0 Update for BlackBerry

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Google has rolled out an update to Google Maps for mobile with several feature upgrades. The biggest enhancement is a search by voice feature with the same setup as search by voice in the main Google mobile application. I tested the new feature out using business names and specific addresses, and the results are just as good as you would receive via Google Maps online. Google Maps 4.0 also introduces new Google Buzz features for mobile. However the Google Buzz results are kind of scattered; and more on the interesting than helpful side. The third main feature is Google has enabled better integration with existing search history and your Google Account. You have to log in and save your search history, but there is great potential in personalized recommendations and time savings.

Features:

  • Search By Voice
  • Google Buzz
  • Synchronization with you Google Account and Search History
  • Google Labs experimental features: Scale Bar or Terrain Layer
  • See businesses near an address or location by selecting a point on the map.
  • Report problems with map data or a business listing.

Check out the original instructions direct from Google on how to install the latest version of Google Maps 4.0 for BlackBerry. Or get started by going to m.google.com/maps in your BlackBerry’s Internet Browser.

Finally, here is a link to the announcement post on the Google Mobile Blog: http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2010/04/google-maps-40-for-blackberry-adds.html.

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Posted in Travel and Maps | 1 Comment »

Life with Google — on your BlackBerry

Monday, March 1st, 2010

I’m one of those people who can’t imagine life without Google. I communicate with all my friends and family using Gmail and Google Talk. I do all my web searches on Google Search. I look up all my directions on Google Maps. And I keep up on all my news via Google Reader.

That’s why the first app I installed on my BlackBerry Curve was the free Google Mobile App. It has all the amazing features of Google – but it comes with me in my pocket. Here’s a few tips for maximizing your life on the go with the Google Mobile App for BlackBerry:

  • Voice search: Say you’re having a conversation with a friend and trying to figure out when the first day of spring is. It’s easy: just launch your Google Mobile app, hold down the green call button, and say “first day of spring” into it. The voice recognition software will translate what you say into a Google Search query—and return the results that the first day of spring this year is March 20.
  • Maps: Did a friend just call and offer to meet you at a restaurant you’ve never heard of in an hour? No need to get directions, just plug the restaurant name into your Google Maps app. Whether you’re walking, driving, or taking public transit, the Google Maps app will draw your route for you, and give you estimated time it’ll take to get there (and how much it’ll cost, if it’s via public transit). Or are you lost? Just call it up and wait for the blue dot to tell you where you are. I’ve used this more times than I’d like to admit when I’ve been turned around in unfamiliar neighborhoods. And it’s especially valuable to have if you’re navigating someone from the passenger seat; “turn right in two blocks” is a lot better than “turn right on Main Street, which is coming up at some point…oops, there it was…”
  • Reader: This app is by far my favorite. As a CREDO Action campaign manager, I live and breathe the news, and Google Reader is my go-to way of catching up on the latest. I use RSS feeds from all my favorite newspapers, magazines, and blogs. Rather than having to visit each publication’s site, I pull their stories into my Reader account through RSS. The Mobile Reader app pulls in the headline of the newest 10 (depending on your settings) articles. You can easily scan to see the latest news, or click through to read the full articles of the ones that pique your interest the most.
  • News: Don’t use Google Reader? You can also use the News app, which pulls in the latest from the Google News homepage.

All of these and more are available with the free Google Mobile App for BlackBerry. Just point your browser to m.google.com or visit their website to have a link texted to your phone.

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Posted in News, Political, Travel and Maps, Utilities | 1 Comment »

The social responsbility of being on time

Friday, July 24th, 2009

So, I’ve been known to run a bit late in my time. More than once I’ve left someone waiting at the baggage claim because their flight was early (happened once, I swear!) or actually on time (a rare occurrence too).

Anyway, that’s why I find this google text-based app one of the most useful tools on my cellphone. Just text “Airline Name” + “Flight Number” to 46645 (Google’s shortcode) and wha-la real-time arrival information.

Here’s an example:

My text to 46645:
virgin america 803

Response from 46645:
29 May 2009
VX 803

SNA
Depart 8:45 AM
On time

SFO
Arrive: 10:15 AM
On time
Gate: T1

It even provides the gate information and besides standard text messaging rates this service doesn’t cost anything extra.

I’m stoked to work for a socially responsible company like CREDO Mobile. Now, with tools like this, I’m hoping I can be a little more “responsible” (i.e. on-time) in my personal life too.

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Posted in Reference, Travel and Maps | 1 Comment »

Gmail App on Your Cell Phone – Even Better!

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Many people now use their cell phone to access personal email such as Yahoo! Mail or Gmail while on the go   This can be done with any data capable phone simply by browsing to the log in page and entering your existing user name and password.   Most email providers offer special mobile URLs to help optimize for your phone.   As proof of mobile email’s popularity the email messaging links are among the most  popular links on  m.credomobile.com.

If you’re like me, however, you always want to use the most convienent services available.  If so, I suggest downloading the Gmail application to your phone.  This works best if you have an unlimited data plan because the Gmail application runs in the background on your phone and uses more data than browsing to your email.

Gmail’s application allows you to:

Access Multiple Gmail Accounts and easily switch back and forth

Work “offline” – Create drafts of messages, or reply to messages even when you’re out of a wireless coverage area such as on a Subway.  The App will automatically send any messages in our outbox once coverage resumes.

Message autorefresh – Gmail will show new messages in your inbox without the need to hit the refresh button on your browser.

Address autocomplete – allows you to enter a long email address after typing just the first few characters.

The App also allows you to view Attachments, use new Shortcuts and many other nifty features.

The Gmail App works on most smart phones including the BlackBerry and many other standard phones including most Java-enabled (J2ME) mobile phones, Palm devices with Palm OS 5 or higher, Windows Mobile 5 or above, as well as all Symbian 3G devices.

To download the Gmail App simply browse to http://m.google.com/mail on your mobile phone.

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Posted in Messaging, Productivity | 1 Comment »

Free Directory Assistance on your mobile phone

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

You’re meeting your friends for dinner at a restaurant but as you’re running out the door, you realize you forgot to get the address. You’re already late so you hop in the car and start to dial 411, with your hands free kit of course, and grit your teeth about the $1.50 charge you just added to your phone bill.

Next time, try using a FREE directory assistance service.

1-800-4664 (GOOG)-411 is a free service from Google. It’s a fully automated voice recognition service that runs a search based on a key word, city and state information. I tried it out last night to find a local Korean restaurant. Maybe I was pronouncing it wrong. It had a bit of trouble with the restaurant name, but eventually gave me the right listing after repeating it a few times.

I tried it again at work, and it was easier. Also I could take notes!

800-GOOG-411
Google. Say the Business and the City and State

Me
Planned Parenthood, Atlanta, Georgia

800-GOOG-411
Top listing. Planned Parenthood of Georgia, on Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta
I’ll connect you. you can also say more results, details or go back.

Me
Details

800-GOOG-411
You can also get the details by saying text message

Me
Text message

800-GOOG-411
Hang on and i’ll connect you.
Ring. Ring. Thank you for calling Planned Parenthood of Georgia…

Google also has an SMS service that retrieves the same results via text. Text key words including city and state to 46645 (GOOGL) and Google will reply with the address and phone number of any matched listings. I personally like this service and use it quite often. It’s a visual result so there is no mistaking the search info and I can keep the SMS for future reference.

Looking to my phone, I find a text message that reads:
Planned Parenthood of Georgia
414-688-9305
75 Piedmont Ave. NE # 800
Atlanta, GA 30303

Why would you ever call 411 again? Note: You get charged for the airtime (usually less than two anytime minutes, and maybe even just one). And if you opt to get the info text messaged, standard text messaging fees will apply.

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Posted in Messaging, Productivity | 5 Comments »