Google may have stashed the locations of every WiFi access point and convenience store goodie the world over, but there are things that even 360-degree cameras, massive algorithms and self-driving cars can’t do; things like map out the locations of all your favorite neighborhood haunts. That’s why Google needs you. This week, the company unleashed Google Map Maker on the United States, which is basically a parallel version of Google Maps that anyone can add to — fleshing out the existing grid with additional details like precise structures, secret passages, whatever you care to name. Google plans to review all crowdsourced edits, however, so it won’t quite be a free-for-all — prepare for a wee bit of skepticism when you divulge the locations of buried nuclear launch silos, alien artifacts, and your local Jedi dojo.

Google’s Map Maker is a clone of Maps, except you can scribble local data all over it originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 22:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Maps Navigation becomes more of a threat to the traditional in-car GPS business seemingly on a daily basis, and they’re taking another stab at it today with the addition of traffic re-routing capability in the Android app (which, while technically still in beta, is pretty darn solid) in both North America and Europe. Of course, Maps has had access to traffic information for a long time, so this is a natural progression — and just as Google uses an interesting combination of sources (including phones) to cull that data, it’s employing some smart schemes for re-routing that take into account both current and historical information about your route. The update’s available today.

Google Maps Navigation for Android adds real-time traffic re-routing originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last year Nokia made something of a telematics coup, partnering with just about every major European manufacturer and doing everything it could to get its Terminal Mode in-car smartphone integration into more autos. Mercedes was one of those partners and now we’re getting a glimpse of the result in the new C-Class. Merc has made some minor exterior updates to the car (not necessarily for the better, in our opinion), but on the inside comes an updated Mercedes COMAND infotainment system that, for the first time, offers full internet access. Using Terminal Mode the car interacts with a smartphone to provide the data, allowing dashboard surfing (while stationary) and the transmission of Google Maps points and directions right to the vehicle. There’s also Bluetooth for streaming your tunes through the car’s sound system and a USB port in the armrest to keep things charged while you decimate that slab. PR is below if you’re looking for more details, or you can just wait for our impressions when we get to Detroit in a few weeks.

Continue reading Mercedes Terminal Mode partnership comes to fruition with internet-connected 2012 C-Class

Mercedes Terminal Mode partnership comes to fruition with internet-connected 2012 C-Class originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 21:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don’t you hate getting lost? Hang on I’ll use my GPS.

Of all the times I needed to go to Brisbane I thought having my new Palm Treo Pro would save me from the labyrinth of Brisbane Queensland streets; denied.

Some how the GPS was not initiating at all and GPRS can only get you so far, so Google Maps and WhereIS where saying I am within 400m of location LOST :S Grrr!.

Even though this is not the “FIX” I have figured out how to get it working when I need it. I tried quite a few things from other forums however there seems to be a few revisions of the phone.

What you will need to initiate the GPS and find out where the hell you are:

• GPS Test - I downloaded it from PocketGear but you can find it via google.
• Google Maps for Windows Mobile – You can download this via your mobile or internet, just make sure you have the right CAB file.

Okay now when you have downloaded, installed and sync’d those applications to your mobile phone just these easy steps below.

Prerequisites :

• Let windows mobile look after GPS data for your applications, I have used COM 4;

• Make sure you are outside for a better signal;

• Be sure to have your 3G, Next G, GPRS, HSDPA AKA Internet connection on;

• And download current data via Quick GPS program on your phone.

Step 1:

Open application GPS Test in your programs folder.

The program will scan the com ports and standard baud rate should be set for you. I waited for satellites to be found and minimized the app, took 3-4 seconds.

Step 2:

Open Google Maps and make sure to select ‘Use GPS’ and that is it.

Your Google Maps should already be using windows to get GPS data feed.

There you go pretty simple eh?  If you find a better way or an actual fix I would love to know and hear your comments

Phil