Tech News Updates

Be still our hearts. Google Maps integration, in a factory-installed navigation system? Break out the fans and funny hats, ’cause this is for real. As Ford’s SYNC system continues along the path of perpetual improvement , the latest breakout addition may make those who swear by third-party routing systems think twice. At long last, one automaker has figured out how to merge Google Maps with its own in-car solution, with ‘Send To SYNC’ allowing Bluetooth handset owners to dial up a route on their mobile and then beam that to their SYNC system once they’ve arrived in the vehicle. Once sent, the information is processed into audible turn-by-turn directions, and the driver can opt to have the route adjusted based on their SYNC driving preferences. Best of all, the feature’s being added completely free of charge on existing 2010 and 2011 models equipped with SYNC TDI (”later this month,” we’re told), and there’s no additional hardware or software to fret over. Ford’s obviously the first to make such a bold move, but those other guys would be silly to simply sit around on the sidelines without playing copycat. Continue reading Send to SYNC enables BT phones to beam Google Maps to Ford navigation systems Send to SYNC enables BT phones to beam Google Maps to Ford navigation systems originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Google I/O’s shaping up to be a hell of an event this year. We just received word that OnStar will give a sneak peek at new functionalities it’s developing for its version 2.0 Chevy Volt app with the help of Google . A major new addition — to be demonstrated on Android, of course — will be a navigation tab on the app’s home screen that can identify your position relative to your Volt’s location in Google Maps. Something that should prove handy in tracking down your car in the airport parking lot. Owners can then use their smartphone to enter their destination before even entering the vehicle. When it’s time to drive, your Volt will already be setup and ready to guide you to the spot using OnStar’s turn-by-turn navigation. Alternatively, users can follow the voice guidance provided by Google Maps Navigation if they prefer. Unfortunately, these 2.0 addition won’t be in the app at launch this fall. Full press release after the break. Continue reading OnStar reveals mystery partner: Google OnStar reveals mystery partner: Google originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 May 2010 02:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

What was hinted at in those leaked Dell Streak flyers is now official: Kindle for Android. Unfortunately, it’s not quite ready to download. Amazon’s free Kindle ebook reader — already out for Mac, PC, BlackBerry, and iDevices — won’t launch until later this summer. When it does, users of Android 1.6 and above (with SD card) will have the ability to search, browse, and purchase (without exiting the app) any of the half million books in the Kindle Store. Like the other apps, Kindle for Android features Whispersync to keep your bookmarks, last page read, notes, and highlights synchronized across all your Kindle-enabled devices. Expect to see this demonstrated at Google I/O starting tomorrow. Continue reading Kindle for Android coming this summer Kindle for Android coming this summer originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 May 2010 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

If you’re running an Android phone and you’re lucky enough to be using 1.6 or above (our deepest apologies, CLIQ owners), we might recommend you pop open the Market and score the latest version of Google Maps that just launched today. What’s new? It adds support for bicycle routing (something they’ve had on the desktop for a while now) and sharing of destinations via the usual array of mediums like email, Facebook, Twitter, and so on, but the most significant change might also be the smallest: the addition of a dedicated icon for Google Maps Navigation . The product is still in beta, but this seems like an early sign that it’s starting to come of age — and on a more practical level, this obviously makes it quite a bit easier to launch right into a route when you saddle up in the car. Anywho, Motorola, about that CLIQ update? Google Maps for Android adds bike routes, sharing, dedicated navigation icon originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 May 2010 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Finally, the day has come . At some magical point in time during today, all you Xbox 360 owners will be prompted to update to the latest firmware for your beloved console. Once the tidy little exchange of data with Microsoft’s servers has been completed, you’ll at long last be able to plug USB memory sticks in and exploit a bit of functionality that frankly should’ve been there from the start. So that’s it, all your game saves, profiles and other 360-related trinkets can finally be taken on the move without resorting to lugging a HDD around. In the mean time, SanDisk’s previously rumored Xbox 360-branded $40 8GB flash drive is looking all the more real, with Amazon now offering pre-orders at a slightly less crazy $35 price point. You know, in case the millions of USB storage options out there aren’t doing it for you. Xbox 360 update brings long-awaited USB storage support, SanDisk ready to cash in originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

It’s a fantasy come true for the avid nerd / traveler , but unfortunately for us, it’s but a concept in its current form. Syracuse’s own Rahul Mahtani and Yofred Moik have dreamed up Google Envelopes, and if brought to production, this might just make the USPS as relevant as it was during the heyday known as 1985 . Put simply, the solution would involve a new ‘Send Envelope’ method of passing along a note penned in Gmail ; when pressed, you’d get a printout of the message along with a specially crafted envelope, the latter of which really makes this idea shine. The envelope itself would be a Google Maps representation of the quickest route to transfer said message from you to the recipient if roadways and kayaks were used in place of fiber and coax, giving the receiver a crucially awesome keepsake each time you dropped him or her a line. Oh, and having an ‘Avoid Tolls’ option would just totally put it over the top — even if were relegated to beta . [Thanks, Yofred] Google Envelopes turns Gmail into snail mail, wraps it in precisely routed Maps printout originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Chalk up another two wins for cheap consumer GPS. Like Google Maps Navigation before it, the MapQuest 4 Mobile iPhone app has just now added gratis turn-by-turn voice directions… and ahead of schedule , TomTom has begun bundling its new 2010 Personal Navigation Devices, including the XL 340S and the XXL 540S — with lifetime traffic and maps subscriptions. The latter are now available on Amazon for a $30-per-lifetime-subscription premium in a variety of increasingly feature-filled flavors, with helpful T (traffic), M (maps) and TM (traffic and maps) suffixes so you know which TomTom is which. If you prefer buying from brick and mortar, TomTom expects retail availability beginning in April. Full list of supported TomTom models and expected MSRP after the break. Update : The 1.5.0 iPhone update to MobileNavigator from Navigon that includes MyRoutes, Facebook and Twitter integration, and Panorama View 3D is finally up on iTunes as well. Continue reading MapQuest iPhone gets free voice navigation; TomTom lifetime map and traffic PNDs now available (update: Navigon MobileNavigator 1.5 too) MapQuest iPhone gets free voice navigation; TomTom lifetime map and traffic PNDs now available (update: Navigon MobileNavigator 1.5 too) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 02:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Enthusiasts have had plenty to cheer about with the convergence of electronics and bicycling over the years, from bikes that pedal themselves to the various devices and apps that assist them with their training. And for those of us who just want to get from one place to another? Google Maps has added bicycling directions to its walking, car, and public transport options — with travel times calculated to include things like the number of hills and fatigue over time. But that ain’t all! The company has also partnered with Rails-to-Trails to provide information on bike trails in more than 150 cities. According to Google, thousands of miles of trails in the US have already been added to the map, with more to come. For the time being, however, only those planning trips in their home or office need apply: while available on the web, those using a Google Maps smartphone app are being excluded for the time being. So much for ” mobile first ,” guys. Video after the break. Continue reading Google Maps adds bicycle directions, turns out its nothing like ‘Quicksilver’ Google Maps adds bicycle directions, turns out its nothing like ‘Quicksilver’ originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

We were pretty stoked when we heard all about the new toys that Microsoft was adding to Bing Maps (Street View-esque navigation, Photosynth integration, crowd sourcing content, so on and so forth), and it looks like things are really coming together nicely. If you hop on past the break, we’ve thoughtfully embedded Blaise Aguera y Arcas’ TED Talk where the Microsoft Live Labs architect and co-creator of Photosynth gives a pretty sweet overview of the project as the foundation for a pretty robust augmented reality setup. The crowd gasps, applauds, and speaks in tongues repeatedly throughout the eight minute talk — which is really what you’d expect from the Glenn Beck crowd, not the head of the technology, entertainment, and design fraternity (at least those who attend conferences). But don’t take our word for it! Check it out and tell us what you think. Continue reading Photosynth creator walks us through Bing Maps, gives us a taste of augmented reality’s future (video) Photosynth creator walks us through Bing Maps, gives us a taste of augmented reality’s future (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Hey, software engineers of all shapes and sizes — are you keeping an eye on this? Navigon is releasing yet another significant update for its continually improving MobileNavigator iPhone GPS app, and at this point, we reckon these guys and gals should get some sort of medal for pursuing innovation on an existing product rather than leaping to “the next best thing.” The latest refresh adds in three primary features: 3D terrain views, a 3D panorama view ($9.99 extra) and in-app connectivity with Facebook and Twitter. As you’d expect, the latter enables users to broadcast current position, destination and ETA to social media outlets, which should make existing Foursquare addicts overwhelmed with joy. Version 1.5.0 also throws in MyRoutes, which is said to analyze your driving habits, patterns, location and time / day in order to provide “up to three routes clearly displayed in-map with ETA, distance and driving times for each.” Best of all? It’s just $69.99 ($20 less than normal) until February 15th, while the real-time traffic add-on is reduced $5 to $19.99 for the same duration. Navigon keeps MobileNavigator iPhone app fresh with 3D terrain views, Facebook / Twitter integration originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink