Google Maps for Android Updated - Gets Dedicated Places Feature

We don't know about you but we love Google Maps for Android, in fact we couldn't live without it now.  it's one of those features that makes the Android OS a true competitor to Apple's iOS 4. A few of us here have HTC Desire smartphones and feel it's fast becoming a better system than that on the iPhone 4. 


The new Google Maps update builds on this with some brilliant new features and a more appealing design that shows Google are moving toward a unified user interface, which is expected in the 3.0 Gingerbread release of Android at the end of the year.

Places has now been integrated into the main app and it's a welcome addition. Load up Places, select from a list of popular searches (such as Coffee Shops and Restaurants) and Maps will display the closest results, including distances, compass bearings, short descriptions and even reviews. This is far from a gimmicky app, it becomes a regularly used feature of Android and something you would deeply miss if it were to disappear.


The Latitude feature follows the same clean cut white interface now present in 'Places'  but stays virtually the same as before. You can download the new update now via the Android Marketplace on your Android handset. If you don't have an Android handset and your not interested in an Apple phone that drops calls (jokes) then check out these Android smartphone deals.