Google released an update to their Google Maps Android app. Version 5.3.0 for Android added a few enhancements, mostly for members of Google Latitude.
In short, the Google Maps update provides 3 enhancements:
- Ability to give ratings - Latitude members who want to share their locations with others in their member group can now not only share their location, but share their thoughts on their location. As Google continues to embrace social networking, this ability in the Maps updates allows users to give their ratings on locations. Is Google moving towards a full-fledged social rating site, fed by mobile users? Who knows, but stay tuned to About.com's Google Guide, Marziah Karch for her insights into Google.
- Check history - For those who can't seem to remember where they've been, Maps now allows you to go back in time and view where you've been. This may seem like a minor enhancement but it will lend itself to social networking. Map users will be able to share their travels with friends and fellow Latitude members and could be a great visual for blogs and social media postings.
- Set your Home location - When you want to let your Latitude friends know that you have finally arrived home after a long work trip or vacation, you can now do so with the updated Google Map version. As a father of two, I can definitely see the value of this feature. Though my children are still too young to be traveling on their own, parents of older children may find it useful to know when their kids arrive back at their dorm rooms, hotel rooms or wherever they call home.
Like I said, there are only 3 updates with the new Maps app, but each of these 3 give us a glimpse as to where Google may be taking their whole social networking endeavors.