Wow this is a huge update. Right when I fired up the new Google Maps version, it found my location, within seconds. You can also now get your location without GPS. Google uses your signal and bounces it off nearby cellphone towers to get your position.
But there are a few things that bother me now. It seems that you can no longer use the main d-pad button to zoom in, and the right softkey to zoom out like before. Now you have to actually open the phone, and use the "1" key to zoom out, and the "3" key to zoom in. Kind of annoying since some people use this in there cars at a stop light, etc. Now you have to take it off your car holder and open it, in order to zoom in and out. Now the right softkey has been replaced with "search", which I don't use that often. Too bad theres no way to customize it. This isn't really a problem though for non slider devices, such as the Nokia N73.
Like I said before, Google Maps can now track your general location, without using GPS. I haven't tested this on my Nokia N73, but I guess this can come in handy for phones that don't have GPS built-in. If you go to Options, then Tools, you have the option to check or uncheck "Use GPS". When I uncheck it, my location is still found. I guess this is how the cops can track your cell phone signals to locate a criminal. Some people may not like this feature, since it seems that Google sends information back to there servers to "improve service". But you do have the option to turn this off. I wonder how good blue dot can follow you, when your driving in your car, compared to using GPS. I'll test it out this morning, and post an update a little later.
UPDATE: Just using the signal and not GPS, my position is a few miles off, and bounces around a lot.
As you can see, I don't have a checkmark next to "Use GPS", so therefore it's turned off.
And it still locked into my "approximate" location, without using GPS, although sometimes it's a few miles off.
A few more updates:
- Key "7" now toggles traffic, instead of the pound key.
- Key "0" refreshes your location. Great for when your not using GPS for tracking.
- Key "2" toggles satellite and map view.
Just go to www.google.com/gmm from your Nokia web browser. I believe this update is for all S60 phones, not just the Nokia N95.
Updated Bug Report:Aparently, a lot of people are having problems getting their location. A solution they are finding is that you can switch your phone to GSM Network Mode by going into your phone settings. I guess Google didn't implement support for 3g networks. If you find another solution, or you don't have a problem, please leave a comment with your phone and location.
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Just confirmed this does work with a at&t(Cingular) dedicated E62. Should be good on all Nokia S60 3rd Edition devices.
awesome. thanks for the good news.