Google also updates Maps to v3.2.0

Following the recent update of the Youtube client, Google have also updated their Maps for Mobile application to v3.2.0 which now has a host of new features including Layers and My Maps. The official release notes after the jump.

Installation

Install version 3.2.0 by going to http://m.google.com/maps in your mobile web browser. To ensure proper device detection, use your phone’s native web browser.

New features

• Layers: Layers (’2′ shortcut key) allow you to view locations and additional info overlaid on the map. You can add multiple layers or remove only certain layers so you control exactly what information you want visible on the map at the same time. Familiar info now available as layers include search results, Traffic (with new traffic incident icons and info), Directions, and Google Latitude. New available layers include My Maps (view-only), Transit lines (w/upcoming station departure info where available), and Wikipedia.
• Browse categories: Browse popular categories from the Search menu to search the map for businesses or points of interest by type. Category searches are currently available only for results in the US and China.
• Additional search results: When you search the map, Maps for mobile will now show you additional search results beyond the top ten results. The additional results will appear as “dots” on the map that you can select to see more info. As you pan the map, more search results will appear. Just zoom in to select a specific dot if there are lots of results for your search.
• My Maps: Add the My Maps layer from the Layers menu and sign in to your Google Account to access your custom My Maps created and edited from your computer. My Maps are currently view-only from Google Maps for mobile. You cannot create or edit your My Maps.

You can also sign in to your Google Account from Google Maps for mobile in order to access certain features like My Maps. By signing in, you will also be able to use Google Latitude and access info linked to your Google Account from other places outside of Maps for mobile.

Google Latitude: Google Latitude is an opt-in feature that requires you to both explicitly join and to be signed in to your Google Account. You may sign in to your Google Account to use features like My Maps, but Latitude will not be enabled until you explicitly choose to join it from the main menu. Similarly, you may turn only Latitude off from its privacy menu and still remain signed in to your Google Account to use other Maps features that require your account. If you sign out of your Google Account entirely from the Maps main menu, all features that require your account will no longer be available, including Latitude.

Bug Fixes

• Symbian S60: E61, E61i, and E62 devices: Shortcut keys work properly using the standard numeric shortcuts. Previously, shortcut keys were not working as intended on these devices.

Troubleshooting

• N82 and N95 devices: we strongly encourage that you back up your device and consider upgrading to the latest device firmware version (see http://nokia.com/softwareupdate). A very small number of users report experiencing a device hang during installation, and we haven’t yet been able to reproduce this in the lab or determine the exact cause.

• For some S60 3rd ed. FP2 phones (Nokia 5320 XpressMusic, 6210 Navigator, 6220 Classic, 6650, N78, N79, N85, N96, N96-3), you may need to set a default destination using the following steps: Go to Settings > Connection > Destinations > Options > Default connection. Select “Internet” (if you have it) or whichever APN group you want it to use.

Related posts:

1. Google Maps for Mobile hits v3.00
2. Google Street View available for new Google Maps Mobile
3. Google Maps hits v2.2
4. Google Maps now native on S60 and GPS support
5. Google Search Client for S60