Google Maps now lets you see maps from Google My Maps
The Google Maps team announced the rollout of a new feature to the Android app: the ability to use maps created with My Maps.
A little background is in order: My Maps was originally a feature of the Maps web app introduced in 2007. In 2011, the feature was rolled into the My Places feature, but My Places was not included in the current version of Maps, which landed in 2013. That meant that users who wanted to create their own maps had to use a tool called Google Maps Engine Lite, launched the same year. Finally, in September 2014, Google renamed Engine Lite to My Maps, completing, in a way, the circle. Yeah, we’re confused too…
Google My Maps for Android is a distinct app available in the Play Store that lets you do exactly what the name suggests. Up until now you couldn’t see your custom maps in the main Google Maps app, but that changes.
To see your custom maps in Google Maps, hit the hamburger button, tap “Your Places” and scroll down. You should see all your maps, regardless if they were created with the classic My Maps feature or the new My Maps (Engine Lite). You can’t edit them though, so you will still need the separate My Maps application for that. The availability of the feature doesn’t seem to be conditioned by having the latest Maps version, though an update won’t hurt.
Pfew… that was a lot of “maps!”
HTC One M9 Plus wallpapers leak out ahead of possible April 8th announcement
It seems like leakers are going to do everything possible to leak as much possible about the HTC One M9 Plus before the device’s probable announcement on April 8th. Today, we get what is apparently the full set of HTC One M9 Plus wallpapers – 16 Quad HD resolution images to enjoy before the device is […]
The post HTC One M9 Plus wallpapers leak out ahead of possible April 8th announcement appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Leaked Quad HD Wallpapers for HTC One M9 Plus are available to download
Over the last few days, we’ve seen a steady drip feed of leaks and rumours about the HTC One M9 Plus, with a possible announcement for the device on April 8th according to an HTC invite. Today’s leak sees the Quad HD wallpapers of the alleged HTC One M9 Plus becoming available to download.
The wallpapers come courtesy of @LlabTooFeR who you may remember leaked the wallpapers for the HTC One M9 a few weeks ago. The Quad HD (2880 x 2560) wallpapers will apparently be pre-installed on the HTC One M9 Plus(dimensions here). You can either click the image you’d like to download and the right-click to save or you can download the whole caboodle by clicking the source link below.
Source: @LlabTooFeR
Download: Mega
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Lumia 640 listed on Microsoft Ireland as ‘coming soon’
It looks like Ireland will be the next country to offer the Lumia 640, with Microsoft’s official website listing the device as “coming soon” in the country.
Rumor: Galaxy S6 Active to include microSD slot and bigger battery
By now chances are those interested in Samsung’s Galaxy S6 have formed one of two opinions of the device: love or hate. While the decision to finally go with metal and glass might be a welcomed change for some, the sacrifice of a removable battery and microSD means pure hatred for others, and the lack of waterproofing (a key feature billed from the S5) has yet more fans up-in-arms. All eyes have been looking to the horizon as word has leaked about the Galaxy S6 Active and the possibilities it might bring (back).
While we strongly advise you to treat this as a rumor, one European redditor, garshol, claimed he had an interview with a Samsung Europe representative. Several key details were revealed which may be of great interest not only to those bummed out by the S6, but for those looking for answers from Samsung’s shocking switch.
Will the Galaxy S6 Active also contain hard physical buttons like the S5 Active did? Possibly.
1. With respect to the Galaxy Galaxy S6 Active:
- There will be no fingerprint reader or heart rate monitor.
- The camera will be of lower resolution than the S6. OIS may be included.
- It will be similar in specs to those of the Galaxy S6.
- There will be buttons on the front.
- MicroSD card support will be included.
- The battery will definitely be bigger
- It will release mid-summer 2015
While nothing was mentioned in regards to waterproofing, it can be assumed the device will retain the feature given the “Active” moniker. We also expect the front buttons to be of a physical, hard clicky nature similar to that on the S5 Active. It is unclear as to if the device will also contain a quick access button a la the S5 Active.
2. With respect to the removal of waterproofing from the S6, it was done in light of unfavorable market study results wherein respondents indicated they weren’t pleased with the Micro-USB port cover. This issue in particular seems rather questionable given that Samsung did in fact, implement waterproofing on the Galaxy S5 Mini sans the need for a door to protect the USB port.
3. With respect to the removal of microSD card support, it was indicated that Samsung wanted to make its product more comparable to those of of its competitors in terms of design, storage options, and “core functionality.” The removal of waterproofing was also cited here. The trade off was said to be made in favor of allowing more components to be included internally such as extra storage modules.
This issue is also a bit curious as removing key features that elevate the Galaxy series beyond the iPhone would seemingly be of an important concern for Samsung, but garshol indicated later in the thread that, according to the representative, it would have been possible to include a microSD slot along the top of the device but it would have compromised the design. This leads us to believe that Samsung was intent on making a product that could be seen as blow-for-blow with the iPhone in terms of design.
Please remember that none of what has been presented here has been confirmed by Samsung, and is thereby a purported account of an exchange that took place between a reddit user and a Samsung representative. With that said, the information meshes well with the previous report about the Galaxy S6 Active and seems reasonably credible.
Let us know your thoughts!
Announcing the ‘Weekly Photo Contest: Breakfast’ winners!
We were looking for some tasty pictures this week in the “breakfast” photo contest, and the forums filled up with plenty of great shots to choose from. There were dozens of great entries this week, as tends to happen, and these ones were particularly great. But of course we narrowed it down to the two pictures to receive prizes — hit the break to see them.
Camera360 Sight update lets you call upon Cortana to take selfies
One of the most feature-filled camera apps on Windows Phone, Camera360 Sight, picked up an update today that introduces a neat trick if you’re one to take a lot of selfies. The app now supports Cortana voice commands, which means that you can use the phrase “Cortana, take a selfie” from within the app to take a photo from the front-facing shooter (or the rear camera) automatically.
Google makes it easier for Android users to view custom maps
A custom map you’ve created for a trip is only useful if you can access it when you need it. Thankfully, Google’s bringing back My Maps integration with Android, so it’s now easier to view your personalized files on mobile. As you might know, you can use My Maps to plan for hiking, canoeing or even for commuting or daily walks, as it lets you place markers on locations and draw lines or shapes to indicate routes. It also allows you to create layers for different kinds of content and even import geographic data, such as a place’s name and coordinates. To view your creations — or others who have shared theirs with you — just launch Google Maps on Android. The update has begun rolling out today, so keep an eye out if you’re planning for a road trip.
The White House and Google are quite chummy report says
With the FTC’s 2012 probe into Google‘s search practices all said and done, it became quite apparent that Mountain View has quite a bit of pull in the nation’s capital. A new report from The Wall Street Journal, high ranking Googler’s, including Mr. Eric Schmidt himself, met with White House officials to the tune of 230 different times across two terms.
If you’re doing the math, that’s about once a week for about four years. These meetings also happened around the time right before the commission and Google settled the antitrust lawsuit. While what exactly was discussed wasn’t shown in those meetings, the FTC insists that it maintains an independence as a regulatory agency. What the WSJ eludes to is that Google’s got some lobbying pull in Washington to defeat just such a major antitrust investigation.
The search giant has shown that it’s got influence and willing to spend money to do so. The company spent $16.8 million last year in lobbying efforts. In a related area, Megan Smith, Google’s former VP is now the US chief technology officer and a high tech adviser to the president.
As time progresses, these relationships and Google’s influence will be called into question and the report shows, that Google’s got the wallet to back it up.
Source: Wall Street Journal
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Weekly Photo Contest: Metals
When you think of the word “metal” your mind may instantly wander to big pieces of steel making up a bridge or a building, but metal comes in shapes, sizes and styles of all kinds. And of course multiple metals are often found working together in a bigger picture. This week’s photo contest is looking for pictures of metals together, and when you think about all of the places that metals show up in your life you realize there are a ridiculous number of photo opportunities this week.
AIVAnet 