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Google Maps Mobile for BlackBerry gets Street View, Walking Directions and Full Reviews!

by Kevin Michaluk on 17 Sep 2008 12:15 PM
55
 

This just in from the good folks at Google:

See where you're going, how to walk there, and what other people are saying about it -- all from your phone. Today Google released new features for Google Maps for mobile, improving the overall speed of the application and adding Street View imagery, walking directions, and full reviews of businesses.

Google Maps for mobile gives users quick and easy access to information, wherever and whenever they need it. Now a user trying to find a restaurant in an unfamiliar part of town can simply click on the "Street View" button for street level images of the desired restaurant and what surrounds it. The new walking directions feature (beta) can point the way to the nearest places for post-dinner dessert, and star ratings and full reviews make choosing the sweetest option a piece of cake.

Millions of people in more than 20 different countries around the globe actively use Google Maps for mobile. The newest features will be available initially for all color BlackBerry devices and most Java devices, and in markets where Street View, walking directions, and reviews are currently available on the desktop. To download Google Maps for mobile, simply visit google.com/gmm from your phone's web browser or a desktop computer.

Filed Under: BlackBerry Apps; Tags: video
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55 Comments

Posted by Borrowed_Thunder Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

Do I need to do an update to get street view on a curve? I've looked at my maps program, and the "Street View" isn't listed as an option?

 
 
Posted by ConstantineXVI Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

1) You need to download the latest version of Maps (2.3.1). If you have already, the icon should be a map instead of a compass.
2) To use Street View, click the trackball on where you want to view, and pick the Street View option.

 
 
Posted by avmsam Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

still cant download google maps for the bold yet though

 
 
Posted by cylus Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

It works on the Bold. You just have to change your browser settings. it might be displaying it using internet explore. if you change it to blackberry it will work fine. Thats what happened to me.

 
 
Posted by speedmetal69 Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

I have the Bold, It downloaded fine but the new features may not be supported by the OS on the Bold :(

 
 
Posted by speedmetal69 Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

Why can't I get the street views to work??
Do I have to change any settings on my device??

 
 
Posted by Nevets68 Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

I downloaded the Google Maps w/street view and apparently street view doesn't work on my phone either.
I put in a address in West New York Nj, *my old hood* which I know is shown on googlemaps street view (via my pc).

 
 
Posted by okgrjba Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

I dont have the link for street view either. Also, the box where you enter the search is white, which is ok, but the font is white too, so you cant see it. It wasnt like that before, anyone else have that problem too?

 
 
Posted by okgrjba Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

I found the street view link, but the font is still white. Weird

 
 
Posted by speedmetal69 Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

How did you get it to work??? Do you have the Bold??

 
 
Posted by KrazyRogue Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

I have a vzw 8330 OS4.3 and streetview is working for me. Initially streetview is not on the main menu. You have to either search for something or an address and then you get the streetview option in the results page. Pretty freaking cool if you ask me. Once you have streetview in a little window, you can have fullscreen by hittting menu. Walking directions works pretty well too

I also get a better My Location signal where I live in NYC, I'm getting between 600 and 800 meters.

 
 
Posted by granthatchett Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

After upgrading, GM on my 8310 doesnt seem to have changed at all, except for the icon. No street view to be found! Hmm

 
 
Posted by granthatchett Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

Searched for home depot by my house and had street view, but my house that does have a street view on my PC google maps is not showing up on my berry. its there, its just selective. It must not shoe all the street views.

 
 
Posted by granthatchett Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

after locating in overhead view, clicked the ball and it came up with options that are not there when you use the menu key!

 
 
Posted by Nevets68 Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

I clicked the "ball" ..hehe...and there's still no option for street view.

 
 
Posted by jtwebfusion Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

This is awesome on my 8820. It must be phenomenal on the Bold!!!

 
 
Posted by Dimietriev Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

street view looks great on my 8310

 
 
Posted by Dimietriev Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

street view looks great on my 8310

 
 
Posted by speedmetal69 Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

Doesn't work damn it!!! I tried everything and it still does not work D:<

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

I have the curve, downloaded Google Maps ver. 231 (with Street View). I can't get Street View to show up. I even used the search for "Mike's Bikes" noted in the video. I found the place, but the Search results does not include search view.

 
 
Posted by Snipes Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

Why don't they have a built in update option? What's the point of consolidating the suite if you still have to get updates manually and individually?

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

Ok... For some reason it started working on my Curve. Street View is showing up like a champ. Very Nice!

 
 
Posted by gatorchomp Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

Can't find a download link on my AT&T 8310 w/ OS 4.55...Says "Google Maps does not work on your Research in Motion Ltd" and I already have an older version of GM installed.

 
 
Posted by faibs Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

so balls.
Street view is on the new version but everywhere I go. "No Street view for this location"

 
 
Posted by okgrjba Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

not all streets have the street view available...even on the computer.

 
 
Posted by okgrjba Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

Is anyone else having trouble with the font color. Mine is white on a white background. I cant see what Im typing in the search field.

 
 
Posted by Borrowed_Thunder Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

Do I have to uninstall maps mobile to upload the new version? Or if I install a new version, will it just overwrite?

 
 
Posted by captcrackberry Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

really awesome, especially on the vzw network so fast compared to my co workers tmo

 
 
Posted by Borrowed_Thunder Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

Why is it with EVERY piece of technology that I buy, I can NEVER get it to do all the things I want it to? I tried updating, and google sent me all apps, and said my map was already installed. WTF? I want this BAD!!!

 
 
Posted by okgrjba Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

that sucks, i get everything, but i cant see what im searching for. white text on a white background. im getting frustrated.

 
 
Posted by MangoGT Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

It is definitely an improvement over 2.2, but it still isn't as fast or as usable as MS Live Search Mobile.

I couldn't find any places with StreetView in my area so it might be a major metropolitan area thing for now.

 
 
Posted by jab0321 Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

Why doesn't this version have the voice search like 2.2.2 did? That is my favorite feature and I can't seem to find 2.2.2 now to downgrade back to.

 
 
Posted by okgrjba Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

my voice search is nonexistent too. street view is cool, but no voice search

 
 
Posted by Marine One Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

voice search is working for me with 2.3.1. street view working great too.

 
 
Posted by speedmetal69 Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

Can someone post a comment here or send me a message on how to get the street view to work...PLEASE???

It's retarded how I can't get it to work on my Bold!

Thanks!

 
 
Posted by PoJ Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

Can't seem to download for 8100 (T-mobile). I go to google.com/gmm and it says "Sorry, Google Maps does not work on your Research In Motion Ltd." Too bad I already have 2.2.2 on my phone now. WTF?

 
 
Posted by fyrfyter Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

This is nice and all, but now by BT GPS paired with my 8330 from Verizon no longer works. All GMM says, is waiting for satellite signal, while it works just fine in BB Maps. There must be some error in the code.

 
 
Posted by jakz0rz Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

wow this one actually works on my BOLD! and it works WELL! cool! definitely like it over bbmaps. haven't tried the street view yet, didnt get an option.

 
 
Posted by stepchild Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

I tried it and everything worked just fine. Only there are only certain areas that have street view. I just figured the novelty would ware off really fast. And it takes a lot of memory. When I deleted it I gain almost 2MB. Also the search does not work as good as window live does. So for now I'm sticking with WL.

 
 
Posted by maccabee Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

I can't get street view to work anywhere in Toronto. I tried Yonge and Bloor, Yonge and Dundas and Yonge and Eglinton and it always says No Street View here

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 1239 days ago

I recently bought a Blackberry Curve from Verizon Wireless and not sure about a few things. Does verizon charge you to download things like this? Or shortcuts from certain web sites? Just don't want to get an outrageous bill for getting all this stuff. Any information is appreciated thanks.

 
 
Posted by justinclarkbigsports Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 1239 days ago

i cant get it to work for my 8130

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 1239 days ago

If you live in Seattle forget it. Seattle is the only major city not covered by street view.

 
 
Posted by dnlandes Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 1238 days ago

At first I was like "all color blackberries"? Are there some things my pink curve can't do that a silver one can? Then I realized it wasn't referring to that kind of color. Brain fart!

 
 
Posted by srd05c Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 1238 days ago

Anyone have problems with voice search? With 2.2 I was able to press the left soft key for it. Thats not working for me with 2.3.1. Ideas?

 
 
Posted by prybar-kc Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 1238 days ago

I downloaded, installed, rebooted and tried to show some friends but keep getting the unable to find street address & ZIP

 
 
Posted by Nevets68 Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 1238 days ago

And here's how I did it (hehe I typed..did it)...

Anyways, I removed the version that I downloaded from the link listed here.
Rebooted the Pearl.
Went online via the Pearl and then to google's mobile app site and downloaded it again.

It works!

Street view is neat, albeit, slow.

So again, remove the current version of google mobile maps,reboot and re-download.

:)

 
 
Posted by J.R. Squire Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 1238 days ago

I have a 8330 with Verizon. How do you download google maps to phone and is there a charge?

 
 
Posted by jax6484 Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 1238 days ago

I just downloaded the new version of Google maps (replaced it with the old version that I used to have), but it has all the same things EXCEPT for "Street View." I was so excited to have downloaded this software only to find out that I can't have "street view." Anybody know what's up with that?

 
 
Posted by pintocool Friday, Sep 19, 2008 1237 days ago

and I can find my nearby pizza parlor with it. :-) Other features work well too, just slower due to the graphics intensity.

The EULA on the gmaps says "...we reserve the right to record voice searches for quality assurance..." That piqued my interest a little. Check this out: http://blogs.zdnet.com/Google/?p=852

Marissa Mayer did an interview with Infoworld in October where she explains what GOOG-411 is really all about. Marissa Mayer is Google's vice president of Search Products & User Experience, as shown here: http://www.google.com/corporate/execs.html#marissa

"Whether or not free-411 is a profitable business unto itself is yet to be seen. I myself am somewhat skeptical. The reason we really did it is because we need to build a great speech-to-text model … that we can use for all kinds of different things, including video search.

The speech recognition experts that we have say: If you want us to build a really robust speech model, we need a lot of phonemes, which is a syllable as spoken by a particular voice with a particular intonation. So we need a lot of people talking, saying things so that we can ultimately train off of that. … So 1-800-GOOG-411 is about that: Getting a bunch of different speech samples so that when you call up or we’re trying to get the voice out of video, we can do it with high accuracy."

 
 
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