Still pissed your phone doesn’t have Android 4.0? Maybe these funny April Fools’ Day videos will cheer you up. Check out the 10 videos after the jump and let us know if you find any more jokes to add to the list.

Source: +Google Maps

This week Google rolled out a new version of Google Maps for Android that includes a new look for Navigation on devices with Android 4.0+. Google also shared some interesting usage statistics which show Google Maps for Android has provided 50 billion kilometers of turn-by-turn directions, the equivalent of 130,000 trips to the moon, 334 trips [...]]]>

This week Google rolled out a new version of Google Maps for Android that includes a new look for Navigation on devices with Android 4.0+. Google also shared some interesting usage statistics which show Google Maps for Android has provided 50 billion kilometers of turn-by-turn directions, the equivalent of 130,000 trips to the moon, 334 trips to the sun, 10 trips to Neptune or 0.005 light years.

New features in Google Maps 6.5 include:

• A new look for Navigation on Android 4.0+ phones: A new homescreen makes it easier to enter a new destination or select from recent and favorite locations by swiping left or right.
• Crisper, faster maps for high pixel density devices: If your device has a high pixel density screen, such as those on Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy S II, Droid Razr and others, you’ll now get higher resolution map tiles that take better advantage of the pixels-per-inch on your screen.
• Pick your preferred public transit mode and route option: Now lets you choose to prioritize a particular transit mode (such as the bus or subway) and route option (like taking the recommended route, one with fewer transfers or one with less walking).

Maps Google Inc. PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

When I got my first Android phone a little over three years ago, one of my favorite things was to browse the Android Market and watch which apps were being pushed to the Android Market. Developers soon began to exploit the Just In section of the Android Market with fake updates to get their app to the [...]]]>

When I got my first Android phone a little over three years ago, one of my favorite things was to browse the Android Market and watch which apps were being pushed to the Android Market. Developers soon began to exploit the Just In section of the Android Market with fake updates to get their app to the top of the list, so Google eventually removed that feature.

Now when I want to see what’s new in the Android Market, I turn to AppAware. I’ve covered the app before and it’s been around for a couple years, but they just relaunched a couple months ago with a completely overhauled version that turned the service into a social network for app discovery.

AppAware Find the Best Apps 42matters AG - AppAware PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

I’ve found that one of the best ways to discover useful apps is to look at what people are actually updating, and not focus on which apps have the most installs. This shows me which apps have active support from their developers and sometimes reminds me of an old app that I might have removed long ago.

The following is a Top 10 list of apps which were updated in the last seven days and received the most updates during that time period on AppAware. I hope you enjoy this weekly feature and discover some apps that you might find useful.

Google Maps – Version varies with device

Since it comes pre-installed on most devices, I’m sure most of you already have this app. I’m still amazed at how many of my friends never update their apps though. The latest version features improved battery performance, so make sure you grab it right away.

What’s new in this version:

1. Improved battery performance for Latitude and Location History users.
2. Bug fixes

Maps Google Inc. PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Adobe Flash Player 11 – Version varies by device

Flash Player for mobile devices is essentially dead, but Adobe is still pushing out minor bug fixes and performance tweaks. The latest version improves support for Android 4.0 devices and includes performance improvements, so grab it while you still can.

What’s new in this version:

1. This update to Adobe Flash Player 11 includes compatibility with Android 4 supported devices, performance improvements and bug fixes related to security and stability. The complete set of release notes can be found at: http://adobe.ly/s16mAX

Adobe Flash Player 11 Adobe Systems PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Facebook for Android – Version varies with device

Facebook is the most popular Android app and it saw a major update this week. New additions includes games, faster navigation, access to mobile timelines, and more. Consider this a must update for any Facebook fans.

What’s new in this version:

1. Navigate anywhere, fast: Get to your groups, apps, pages, and settings with a single press
2. Search and you will discover: Look through friends, subscribers, apps, and pages
3. See your friends tags on pictures and zoom: New photo viewing experience
4. Faster notifications: Get alerted in real time with new push notifications
5. Games & Apps: Play games and access your favorite apps on the go
6. Access to mobile timeline (If you already have a timeline)
7. Access to friend lists and subscriptions

Facebook for Android Facebook PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Kindle – Version varies with device

I don’t know what triggered it, but Kindle has seen an explosion in installs during the last 30 days. This recent update is just a minor bug fix, so we have nothing cool to report. If you have never checked out Kindle, they have thousands of free ebooks to read along with over a million books to purchase.

What’s new in this version:

1. Fixed a critical bug where the app would not open on certain devices.

Kindle AMZN Mobile LLC PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Lookout Security & Antivirus – Version 7.4-8155d1c

I consider Lookout Security a must install for Android users. Not everyone needs the antivirus scanning features, but it’s always nice to have that extra layer of security. The real reason I use it is for the phone locating feature that provides a peace of mind in case I ever lose my device. We also appreciate the Lookout blog that attempts to educate users rather than scare them like most security firms.

What’s new in this version:

1. Lookout now supports French and Japanese! Set your device’s language to French or Japanese to access this functionality.
2. Threat details now available in German, French and Japanese for security and privacy alerts.

Lookout Security & Antivirus Lookout Mobile Security PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

ES File Explorer – Version 1.6.1.1

Can you believe Android still doesn’t have an official file manager? Android 3.0 added a downloads manager which helped a little, but I still find myself needing a full featured file manager at times. ES File Manager is the one I go to most often, and other users love it too. It currently has an average rating of 4.7, which is amazing when you consider it has over 10 million installs.

What’s new in this version:

1. Batch Uninstall
2. Disk Usage Graph
3. Uninstall System App
4. Customize Background
5. Change Language

ES File Explorer EStrongs Inc. PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Titanium Backup ★ root - Version 4.7.7.1

If your Android device is rooted, Titanium Backup has a special version just for you. It has too many features to even list, so check out the Market description if you are rooted. Titanium Backup was recently voted as the top app for rooted devices and maintains an average review score of 4.8 with over 4 million installs.

What’s new in this version:

1. Added support for MIPS platforms (experimental)
2. Fixed FC when creating TB widgets (sorry!)
3. Updated translations
4. This is a bugfix release

Titanium Backup ★ root Titanium Track PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Pulse News – Version 2.7.6

When I read my news, I prefer Google Reader for its simplicity and speed. For those that want a more visual friendly version of the news, I suggest Pulse. This update is a minor one, but the last version added a completely redesigned catalog of content and a feature called Smart Dock, that recommends sources based on what you read. If you use Pulse, make sure to browse their Android catalog and add Android and Me to your sources!

What’s new in this version:

1. blank reading view bug fixed
2. follows global sync settings (requires new permission)

Pulse News Alphonso Labs PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Firefox – Version 10.0.2

Before I switched to Chrome a couple years ago, Firefox was my browser of choice. I haven’t touched Firefox in years, but it’s still a popular alternative browser. However, it appears their mobile version is still pretty sub-par with an average review score of 3.5. This update is minor, but you might want to check it out if you haven’t used it since they moved to version 10.0.

What’s new in this version:

1. Improved Sync set-up
2. Bug fixes

Firefox Mozilla PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Layar – Version 6.1

Layar is one of those cool augmented reality apps that is fun to show off to your friends, but not something that you actually use that much. I’ve had it installed on my phone for awhile, but I rarely open it up. Over 10 million people have installed it, but it only has an average review score of 3.6. The latest version features a “friendlier design”, so check it out if you haven’t played with it in years.

What’s new in this version:

1. Directly Access Scan View via improved app navigation
2. App opens in scan mode
3. Tap to View: tap anywhere on the screen to initiate scan
4. Friendlier design

Layar Layar PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Honorable mentions

Did you see any Android apps that received notable updates in the last week? Share your suggestions in the comments below and we will add them to our honorable mentions list.

Bump 3.0: “Bump is totally new! Bump two phones together to share photos, contacts, and apps!”

Bump Bump Technologies, Inc PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Flickr: “9 New languages! German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Bahasa Indonesia.”

Flickr Yahoo! Inc. PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Lost in the hullabaloo of the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show yesterday was an update to the Google Maps application that Google pushed to the masses. The latest Google Maps for Android claims to improve battery life while at the same time improving location tracking within Google Latitude, a service known for its adverse effect on battery life.

It’s apparently “update all the applications” day over at Google today. Google+, Google Maps and Google Goggles have all received an update of some form or another.

The Google+ application has been updated today, bringing several new feature enhancements and the standard stability improvements and bugfixes. The full changelist is as follows:

Google Maps has been one of Android users’ best friends. Even before Android, this nifty service has been a life-saver for all of us, letting us know our whereabouts and how to get to our destinations. Though getting to a place is itself an important task, sometimes buildings are so huge (airports, malls, etc.) [...]]]>

Google Maps has been one of Android users’ best friends. Even before Android, this nifty service has been a life-saver for all of us, letting us know our whereabouts and how to get to our destinations. Though getting to a place is itself an important task, sometimes buildings are so huge (airports, malls, etc.) that we tend to get lost in them. Wouldn’t it be great if Google could help us navigate inside buildings as well? Well, the new Google Maps update is here to do just that!

As a celebration of Google Maps for Mobile’s sixth birthday (earlier this month), the Search Giant has released version 6.0 of what could be our most productive application. With this new update, Google has given us Indoor Navigation, along with a toolbar to switch between features, and a new Places home screen.

That is right, my friends. You can now use Navigation inside many public buildings. (For a full list of current available locations, click here). Finding your way around the airport, mall, etc. will be as simple as a few taps. No more asking around and walking endlessly to find a restroom or a certain area of the building. Google Maps now tells you where you are, inside of the building, even including the floor on which you are located. Hopefully most popular buildings will be available for Indoor Navigation shortly. We will never be lost again.

Aside from indoor navigation, Google has thrown in a couple of other new features in the new Google Maps update. One of them is a new tool bar, meant to make it easier to jump from feature to feature. Simply hit the drop-down menu at the top, and Google Maps will display all the different features that can be accessed. (See image in the left-side).

The third new feature is a new Places homepage. It’s what you can expect from Google Places. Want to look for a good place to go around your area? Simply check Google Places, and it’ll find the closest locations to whatever it is you would like to find (restaurants, cafes, bars).

Head to the Android Market and download this update! The only requirement is that you have Android 2.1 or above, so you have to have a very rare device for this update to be incompatible.  Don’t forget to check out the videos, and let us know what you think!

Have you guys tried the new features yet? I believe Indoor Navigation will definitely make a huge difference in our everyday lives. Are you guys looking forward to using it?

Google isn’t shy when it comes to acquiring other companies to bolster their already robust selection of services. Today’s acquisition of Zagat is a perfect example.

Zagat is a restaurant rating service that thrives in the “local” arena. Using a scale of 1-30, Tim and Nina Zagat, friends, family and other die-hard foodies have critiqued [...]]]>

Google isn’t shy when it comes to acquiring other companies to bolster their already robust selection of services. Today’s acquisition of Zagat is a perfect example.

Zagat is a restaurant rating service that thrives in the “local” arena. Using a scale of 1-30, Tim and Nina Zagat, friends, family and other die-hard foodies have critiqued restaurants for over 30 years now. Currently available in over 100 cities, Zagat’s sophisticated rating system will soon be integrated into Google services. Maps, Places and Search will all see some form of integration in the coming months.

Zagat has suffered lately due to the shift in information distribution. What originally started as a locally shared paper book hasn’t had the best luck in making the transition to digital. Details surrounding the acquisition are sparse, but as expected, both companies are putting on a smiling face for the public. Zagat gets to live on in some of the most frequently used web services to date, while Google gains yet another reputable name to add to their portfolio of acquisitions.

Who do you use for restaurant rating? Yelp, Zagat, Google Places, Urbanspoon? Let us know in the comments below.

ZAGAT for Android Handmark PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

The Google Maps team is back with another update for their Android app. Once again, they managed to cram a bunch of new features into it. The undoubtedly best mobile mapping app in the world is now at version 5.8, and here’s what’s new:

Transit Navigation brings stop-by-stop directions for public transportation [...]]]> Google Maps updates tend to be very minor, since the app is already very well designed. This is definitely not the case for its new update to version 5.7, which brings Transit Navigation, search categories and Photo Viewer for Place pages.

Transit Navigation and Updated Directions

Transit Navigation brings stop-by-stop directions for public transportation in over 400 cities. It basically works as you would expect; it determines your location through GPS and lets you know when/where to get off. Google Maps even alerts you via the notification bar if you happen to be doing anything else on your device.

Those who use turn-by-turn directions often know that the Navigation and Google Maps apps needed better team work. Google Maps has now better integrated Navigation to the Google Maps app by adding a Navigation button in certain areas. Aside from being located in the top-right corner of directions, it is also added as a search option. The Navigation button is now conveniently placed right next to the “Get Directions” button, and you can skip the Directions if you so chose.

Improved Search Suggest

Google has added labeled icons next to search suggestions. These icons reflect the type of place the suggestion refers to and allows for easier specified searching. Now search suggestions will display an icon of a pin, a star, a clock, a person or a magnifying glass. The pin represents a Google Places listing, the star represents your starred locations, the clock labels previously searched locations, a person icon represents your contacts and the magnifying glass covers all other categories.

Photo Viewer for Places pages

This new feature is pretty much self explanatory. Photo Viewer is available via the Google Maps application, and it allows you to see the images tagged to certain locations. If you’re traveling around and would like to see areas near your destination en route, this is definitely a convenient way to do it. Direct from Google Maps.

Full List of Changes

• Get GPS stop-by-stop public transit directions in Navigation (Beta)
• Receive search suggestions based on previous direction destinations and visited Place pages
• Get directions in less clicks with updated Directions experience
• Improved battery power management for Navigation (Beta)
• Browse photos of Place pages in a gallery view
• Use the ‘Download Map Area’ lab to save map areas for offline viewing

Download / Update

Google has definitely gone above and beyond with this new update to Google Maps, so get your update to check out these new features. The only requirement is that you have Android 2.1 or above, so most of us are covered! For further details, enjoy Google’s tutorial for Google Maps 5.7 below. Do you guys like this update? Which features are the best? Which will you use the most?

Maps Google Inc. PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Tap on any icon, and Google allows you to [...]]]> Google seems to be rolling out a new version of its Google Search website for mobile devices. This new version focuses heavily on local search; they’re adding a row of icons below the search bar to let you look up restaurants, bars, gas stations, etc.

Tap on any icon, and Google allows you to get directions or phone the location–right from the website. This update is part of a bigger push within Google to own the local space. Google’s strategy to become the go-to location for everything local includes NFC, Google Wallet, Google Offers, Google Places… and now this Google Search update.

Coincidentally, there’s a Google Search press event happening in less than an hour. You can watch live here. We expect the company to go into details about these new features at the event. But Google might have some surprises tucked away, so make sure you stay glued to Android and Me for any big announcement to come out of this press event.

While we wait for the video feed to go live, tell us which new features you’d like to see Google announce today. Who knows? Maybe you’ll nail one of them.

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