Google Updates Android Apps: Google Maps Navigation Walking Navigation and Google Voice Quick Access Home Screen Widgets

by Antonio Wells Sep 10, 2010 7:37 AM – Leave your thoughts

Google recently updates Google Maps Navigation to include Walking Navigation and Google Voice to include Android widgets for the home screen for faster and easy access. Both apps are for Android 1.6+ devices.

Google Maps Navigation Walking Navigation Feature:

Walking Navigation works similar to the turn-by-turn driving feature except tailored for walking that is more direct and uses pedestrian walk ways. You can have the audible alerts instruct you and simply turn them off and your phone will vibrate when you need to turn. The user interface has been cleaned up with and more streamline to find Search, Places, Layers, and My Location buttons right along the top versions buried in a menu.

Also thrown in is Smart Navigation “zooming” feature in Street View just as on the desktop is now available for mobile! Check the vid below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ2_7bKlcvI

Google Voice Android Widgets Feature:

Google Voice now has 2 Android widgets you can add to the home screen; Inbox and Settings widgets. The Inbox widget brings your most recent voicemails and text messages to the home screen. The Settings widget allows you to quick toggle opening the full app, quickly compose a new message, toggle how you use Voice (i.e. Use for all calls, International call only, etc.), and “Do Not Disturb” sends all calls to voicemail.

Google Instant

On another note, they’ve also released Google Instant for the desktop search experience which dramatically improves searching as results not only filter through commonly searched keywords in the search bar but the page instantly filters results as you type. Cool. 8) Check out the vid to see how!