Google Maps updated to version 5.9

Internet giant Google has announced an updated version of its Maps service. The new Google Maps 5.9 allows users to customize their 'My Places' tab with pictures. Also, users will now be prompted to add a new option to My Places whenever they check in to a place not on their list. Users can also manage their points of interest under the My Places tab on the basis of 'starred' and 'recently visited' as well.

The recently discontinued feature of bubble tags has also been re-activated in Google Maps 5.9, so again users can simply select a particular bubble and use it to navigate to that place or call the person on Google Latitude.

Tablet users will now be able to access transit navigation details using their tablets as well. For better understanding, detailed information has now been added to places.

This update requires an Android OS 1.6+ device and works wherever Google Maps is currently available. You can download Google Maps 5.9 on your Android device manually or from the Android Marketplace. Alternatively, you could follow this link.

Google Catalogs application now for Tablet

Google has launched a new app for all you shoppers called Google Catalogs. It is a free app for tablet devices that enables you to browse all of your favorite catalogs and interact with new layers of rich-media content.

The app features digital versions of catalogs across various categories, including fashion and apparel, beauty, jewellery, home, kids and gifts. Google has partnered with a variety of top brands including Anthropologie, Bare Escentuals, Bergdorf Goodman, Crate and Barrel, L.L. Bean, Lands’ End, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Pottery Barn, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora, Sundance, Tea Collection, Urban Outfitters and Williams-Sonoma.

With Google Catalogs, you can:

• Interact: Zoom in to see products up close, tap on tags to learn more about an item or, in some catalogs, view inspiring photo albums and videos.
• Find products in nearby stores: When an item catches your eye, instantly find it in a store near you or tap “Buy on Website” to visit the merchant online.
• Express your creativity: Create a collage of your favorite catalog pages and products. If you need inspiration, you can check out collages created by others.
• Share with friends: Email a product or collage to all your shopping buddies.
• Get instant access to new catalogs: Add catalogs to your Favorites and get notified each time a new issue arrives.
• Discover new products and brands: Search for products within or across multiple catalogs to find exactly what you’re looking for.

For more, visit here.

Dropbox application gets updated

The Dropbox application for Android has just gotten an update that aims at fixing some of the flaws that were there in the previous Android application.

With the upgrade, users can delete folders - a task which was not possible earlier. The second major addition is the inclusion of thumbnail feature - now all the files will carry a relative thumbnail, image in case of pictures, making them easier to identify.

Keeping the ongoing security issues of Android in mind, security of this application has been upped a notch. Some improvements have also been made on the performance front allowing faster file synchronisation and access.

Dropbox service is being offered in both free and paid variants with storage space being the deciding difference between the two. The free service offers up to 1.5GB of storage space and for additional space users can buy the premium service.

The new version of DropBox app is available in the Android Marketplace.

Google Android Market gets overhauled

Google has commenced rolling out an updated version of Android Market app store for Android 2.2 Froyo or higher update running handsets.

Google has integrated two of its new offerings - Books and Movie rentals, in the new Android Market update. However, Google Books are Movie rentals are currently offered in the USA and some other select regions only. Neither of the two categories would be available in India with the update.

The new Market promises better navigation and user experience. It would have an overhauled interface with different categories for the applications, which will carry some new categories like Staff Picks and Editor's Choices. Also, the "Top" lists have been further bifurcated to Top New Paid and Top New Free along with the Top Grossing and Trending lists. These individual categories consist of relevant Apps listed together as a collection.

The individual app description has been spruced up through screenshots right on the top followed by its rating and then the description. The new Android Market provides a faster way to the users to browse through the different lists and jumping between categories.

Visually, the new Android Market is much appealing and has side-swiping interface. All the applications are presented in Grid style view along with its rating and status — free and paid.

At the moment, the new Android Market update is available in the USA region only. Rest of the world will have to wait couple of weeks when the updates will start showing automatically.

It is quite likely that the new Android Market interface would be available for the Android 3.0 Honeycomb based tablets.