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Google Maps for mobile lays on layers
Google's latest map app for Windows Mobile and Symbian S60 phones gives map layers some love.
(Credit:
CNET/Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt)
Google Maps for Windows Mobile and Symbian Series 60 phones can plot you, your friends, and businesses on a map. Now it can also layer on transit lines, traffic, and points of interest that correspond to Wikipedia articles.
Google Maps for Mobile 3.2's new layers option for its mobile Maps is accessible by pressing the "2" key or by selecting "Menu" and "Layers." In addition to traffic and transit, Google opens the door to personal maps you've saved using the My Maps feature on Google Maps for the desktop. The latest version of the map app also adds to its approach to search results. In addition to a handful of points marked as red waypoints, you'll see many more small red dots that represent other applicable locations. These won't show up on the text list, but you will be able to tap them to access their Web site, reviews, and other practical details.
Users in the U.S. and China can furthermore browse popular search categories (like Restaurants) to cut down on typing time.
As good as Google Maps is, there are still areas open for improvement. We weren't able to input text into Google Maps for Mobile from our preferred keyboard on the Samsung Omnia. Reverting to the cramped default one diminished the experience and made typing a challenge. We'd also like to save new maps and direction routes to My Maps, and would like to interact with transit lines directly from the map, not only through the Directions menu.
Google Maps for Mobile 3.2 is available now for Windows Mobile and Symbian Series 60 phones. You can download it by pointing the mobile browser to m.google.com/maps. Release notes can be found here.
