Thursday, July 28, 2011

Software : Google Maps adds London public transport directions

Software : Google Maps adds London public transport directions

Google Maps adds London public transport directions

Posted: 28 Jul 2011 02:41 AM PDT

Google Maps has now included public transport directions for London travel on its website and mobile app.

The directions on the web will help guide you from A to B in London with step by step directions, including which Underground station or bus stop to go and how long each step of your journey will take.

Using the mobile app you are able to get directions from your current location using the GPS on your phone, meaning you can constantly stay on track in the British capital.

Keep on moving

Users of Android devices can also use Google's Transit Navigation to guide them in real-time, including instructions such as when to get off the bus.

This is all possible because TfL has made all its timetable information available to the public online through a London Datastore website, so you can now find routes on Google using all Underground, bus, tram and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) lines.

Support for London's Overground network and other public transport options will be added as soon as it is available. So it's true, the world, (well…London) really is your oyster.

BBM6 released with in-app chat capabilities

Posted: 28 Jul 2011 01:09 AM PDT

RIM has released BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) 6, an update to its much-loved messaging software that now allows users to chat from within connected apps and games.

Available today, users with BlackBerry OS 4.5 or higher will be able to push messages to friends from within a select number of apps, including FourSquare and Wikitude.

You can also expect to see BBM chat in some games, with achievements and trophies added to your BBM profile so your friends can see what games you're playing (and how terrible you are at them).

Gamify

Along with proof of your gaming prowess, you'll be able to add a status update to your profile.

Conversation style text messaging support for BBM-less contacts has also been added, so you can do all your messaging from within the BBM app.

We expect to see a host of newly BBM integrated apps pop up over the coming months as developers implement the system more widely, particularly in advance of iOS 5's autumn release, which brings iMessage with it - Apple's competing product for iPhone and iPad.

This update to the popular messaging service could be the shiny new social thing that RIM was teasing earlier this week; sure, it's a nice update and all but… well… we were really hoping for some new hardware.

Still, with a BlackBerry media event scheduled for next week, the wait for that might not be too much longer.
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