Latest Update from Google Map Brings A Translucent Status Bar

Google Map is very useful apps when you want to know where your current location is and how to go to your destination. It is no doubt the most advanced and most accurate mapping apps compared to other apps which also provide the same service. On top of that, the apps can work across platform, whether you are using iOS or Android OS.

During the past few months, it seems like it is going through some small incremental updates to improve the service and the accuracy of the map which in the end will improve the user experience in using the feature. In the latest update, version 9.9, it comes with the changes on the status bar. Therefore, if you are looking at the map, the status bar will turn to more translucent color, compared to the black color before the update. However, in the area of the app which uses standard action bar such as displaying the local business listings and settings, the status bar will turn to blue.

On top of that, you will get some notification at the bottom of the app as you start your navigation as the summary of the route. The app will also let you know whether there is delay or whether you are going by the shortest way to your destination.

Latest Update from Google Map Brings A Translucent Status Bar

Apple Bought Over Coherent Navigation to Improve Its Own Location Technology and Services

Apple has bought several smaller technology companies in order to improve the company’s own location technology and services. One of the companies is Coherent Navigation. According to the company’s former CEO’s Linked In page, it is said that the company has partnership with companies like Boeing and Iridium. Iridium is the satellite network operator. The former CEO of Coherent Navigation is Paul Lego.

Coherent Navigation was founded in 2008. It is a small company which specializes in creating high precision navigation systems and it seems like it is more advance that other consumer-grade global positioning systems. The accuracy is normally within three to five meters.  Furthermore, the company has worked on autonomous navigation and robotics projects including projects for Defense department.

It seems like Apple started to buy over smaller technology companies which the works in mainly in Global Positioning System (GPS) related product or service since six years ago. In 2009, Apple has acquired Placebase which was seen as the first step of Apple to build its own mapping technology. From then on, Apple has bought several other companies such as Locationary and Hopstop which is working on similar things.

In the end, in 2012, finally Apple has released its own mapping service using in-house technology as well as licensed technology from TomTom, a digital mapping company from Dutch. Apple Map is seen as Apple’s response to compete with Google Map.

Apple Bought Over Coherent Navigation to Improve Its Own Location Technology and Services

Use ‘ Find my Phone ’ on Google Search to locate your missing Android phone

In your day to day life there are numerous occasions when you misplace your phone and can’t seem to find it.  Now finding your misplaced Android phone has been made easier by Google. Just type in the words ‘ Find my phone ’ in Google Search on your desktop.

If your phone is hidden somewhere nearby say under the pillow, under the sofa or bed or somewhere in the kitchen, Goggle will give it a ring and you can find it easily. If you have forgotten it somewhere outside say a restaurant or a shop, Google will show you its location on the Google map.  You will also be able to see your Android phone’s make and model number. For this, you need to have the latest Google app version installed on your phone according to the Google+ post.

While Android Device Manager is already there to track your Android devices linked with your Google account, you have to first get your account’s ADM menu. In comparison, ‘ Find my phone ’ is easier to use and if you are using Chrome, you can also give a voice search. Just say the words ‘ Find my phone ’ and the browser will do it for you.

What do you think of Google’s ‘ Find my phone ’? We think it will be of great help to those who keep forgetting where they have kept their Android phone.

Use ‘ Find my Phone ’ on Google Search to locate your missing Android phone