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Google Maps with My Location Review

Best Treo Mapping Software There’s absolutely no doubt that Google Maps is one of the favourite applications on both my Treo and Centro as there is hardly a day that goes by without me using it either for mapping, directions or business lookups (411).

As you may already know, Palm announced that the latest version of Google Maps for mobile version 2.0.2.0 now also includes My Location and although all Treonauts can install this latest version only Centro owners will however be able to benefit from the new My Location feature (see video below) as Treo smartphones unfortunately currently “don't have the APIs needed to get the cell tower data to make My Location available on these models”.

Additionally, please note that while the My Location functionality will work perfectly fine on both the Verizon Centro and AT&T Centro as well as the Unlocked GSM Centro owners of the Sprint Centro will nonetheless have to wait for a software update from Palm available this summer.

As you can see from the video above, Google Maps for mobile with My Location makes it easier and faster for Centro customers to get mapping and direction information by taking information broadcast from mobile towers near you and approximating your current location on the map – all without the need to have a GPS receiver such as my favourite Freedom Keychain GPS 2000. All of this saves time and keystrokes for people trying to find where they are, what's around them, and how to get there.

Google Maps My Location - Menu

I have to admit that at first I wasn’t too impressed with this latest version of Google Maps but I quickly changed my mind once I started really using it properly.

For starters, there is no doubt that the My Location function is extremely useful and accurate – you can use the menu or press the number “0” on your keyoard to see the map automatically snap to your current approximate location on it via a blue dot (above right). The My Location feature thus allows you not only to quickly figure out where you are (if you happen to be a bit lost) but also to much more quickly find businesses or addresses in that area.

Google Maps Google Maps - Search

Next, I particularly liked to discover a function that I had not previously seen. Namely, the “One-touch recall of favorite locations and routes” (above right) which keeps all of your previous searches in memory and allows you to quickly recall these without having to retype (the fact that you can use your keyboard to type the first letters of a previous search is also a great plus).

Google Maps - Search result Google Maps - Options

Google Maps - Calls In this case above, I was searching for Setai in Miami and I quickly found exactly what I was looking for. Tapping for options on the screen conveniently opened the hotel’s full address, telephone number and website hyperlink. Additionally, when calling the hotel for information (screenshot on the right) you get to see a display with the actual name of the business (in this case Hotel Setai) instead of the “Unknow Caller” display that you would typically have. Also, you can naturally also “Save as Contact” any search result.

Google Maps - Map view Google Maps - Satellite view

Finally, Google Maps for mobile now supports “hybrid view” so you can view satellite imagery with street names layered on top (above right).

In addition to all of the above, Google Maps offers:

Comprehensive information on traffic conditions in more than 30 U.S. major metropolitan areas, and partial information in many others;
Detailed driving directions with traffic estimates to avoid congestions;
Integrated search results for business locations, including directions and contact information;
Ability to scan and drag maps using Centro's touch screen for a PC-like experience; and
Satellite and aerial views.

Overall it seems that Google Maps just keeps getting better – it’s helped me countless times and I can’t more highly recommend that you install this application on either your Treo and Centro to discover just how useful and fun it is to use while on the go.

I guess that all that’s missing now is for us to be able to navigate Google Maps for mobile wirelessly by voice using a Bluetooth headset…

Treonauts are always in the best location…

Posted by Andrew on June 27, 2008 at 03:54 PM

Treo Software | Mapping

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Comments

by dmm | Jun 27, 2008 4:12:00 PM

When they say the unlocked Centro is compatible now, obviously the recently announced white one is; how about the unlocked black one (that so far still isn't available in the US)?

by Andrew | Jun 27, 2008 4:24:14 PM

dmm - I can happily confirm that My Location works perfectly well on the Black Unlocked Centro (not available in US). I have been successfully using mine in London with no problem at all.

Cheers, A.

by tgwaste | Jun 27, 2008 4:40:03 PM

Uhhhmmm....

> Treo smartphones unfortunately currently “don't have the APIs needed to get the cell tower data to make My Location available on these models

this is garbage. you can download a program called (surprisingly) My Location from a company called Razix which allows you to use my location with google maps on a Treo.

So the truth here is that either Palm or Google has CRIPPLED this feature on purpose.

Just more BullSh1T from Palm.

by Andrew | Jun 27, 2008 4:52:29 PM

tgwaste - although I understand your frustration for the lack of support on the Treo it's fairly obvious that Palm would not have purposely crippled it...

Also, I have tested the Razix "My Location" that you mention but unfortunately found it to be rather poor.

Cheers, A.

by Empty Jay | Jun 27, 2008 6:56:49 PM

tgwaste/Andrew....

I just installed My Location with Google maps v2, and at least right now it's not too awful bad. It's about 3 blocks off, but it's better than nothing. This will even help me tonight as I go driving to far-off places for work.

There's got to be some reason Google won't enable this for the Treos.

by Peter Beaumont | Jun 28, 2008 1:14:41 AM

My location has been working for several months on my telstra Treo 850 in Australia.

Peter Beaumont

by Donald Bridges | Jun 28, 2008 1:09:59 PM

Andrew,
I want to comment on your remark about Palm. While, yes, I will agree with you that Palm would not purposely cripple it, they have not gone out of their way to make it work on CDMA networks. The APIs are written and work on Sprint via Sprint Family Locator. The code logic is written. How hard could it be for them to adopt it into the phones via PalmOS since the hardware is already in the phones?
I serious doubt Palm will ever make this available to the CDMA network Treo phone of older models (755p and below) since it is "antiquated technology" that is being phased out in favor for the rumored Linux OS. And that is sad/pitiful/petty since there are many PalmOS loyalist with custom written applications that will not switch until the phone physically gives out on them and others that tend to keep there phones for 4 or more years since $200 is a big deal to them. And Palm wonders why they have a bad reputation in the smartphone market.

by Empty Jay | Jun 28, 2008 1:50:59 PM

My Location: I used it last night, and when it was able to get a location, it was usually pretty close. I was hoping it would update google maps, but it only gives your location once when launched. However, it proves that it can be done and someone is just deciding not to.

by mochasboss | Jun 28, 2008 9:01:06 PM

I have the new Verizon Centro and My Location works just fine. So does the search for businesses, and the driving instructions. True, the pinpoint location is a bit off but it really is quite nice to be able to use this function if you need to. I guess I don't see what issues tgwaste could be having.

by Sorian | Jun 28, 2008 9:44:08 PM

@ mochasboss

tgwaste is having problems with his treo because Palm doesn't want to make an updated API for the treos.

by Baez | Jun 29, 2008 12:51:19 AM

I don't like that one can't disable the new "hybrid view" in Satellite images. Yes, it's a cool added feature, but what if you want to see a clean Satellite View (without the "street names layered on top") like with the old Google Maps version? It would be nice to have an enable/disable option with this "hybrid" thing.

by shortdog | Jun 30, 2008 3:14:26 PM

Palm sucks. I have been a loyal palm adict for over a decade. And they refuse to improve the products for the high end users. I am done with palm. With an attitude like this they will go bankrupt. Or aleast they will have to get out of the Business User market. Good riddance.

by tgwaste | Jun 30, 2008 7:42:10 PM

mochasboss,
Treo != Centro.. Yours works cause youre using centro.

Andrew,
My Location (the seperate program) works fine for me.

I still dont buy that this is all googles fault. Why would google care? Palm is the one that cares about being disloyal to its fanbase not google. Palm simply doesnt care about its customers and hasnt for years.

by jso | Jun 30, 2008 10:47:53 PM

Andrew -

will you be posting a full review of the Verizon Centro? I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to go from my 700p to the Centro. Thx!

by Mike | Jul 9, 2008 12:21:30 PM

I have been using Google Maps w my Location on my 750 with WM6 for 3 months....

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