A couple of posts ago, I posted about the new feature of Google Maps - My Location, which I think will be very useful to get directions while on the move. Microsoft’s acquired Tellme just launched an application for Blackberry where you can just say the word to find it. I just downloaded it to my Blackberry Pearl to give it a try. I have to admit - it is a neat application. The voice recognition system is not that accurate - about 50% accuracy for me (and I have a little foreign accent). The search is very good as well. For most of the results you get an option to call the place (if it is a business), map it, get directions to it, share it. Now if only they include something like My location in this, that will be perfect :-).
Posted by admin as mobile, software at 5:12 AM MST
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Earlier when I had to get direction from my current location to a destination, I would have to fill the current location. And when I was trying to get the directions while on the move, forget about it. That will take me stopping and feed the nearest location that I am aware of and then estimating the new directions that I get back.
Not anymore. All I have to do is use this new feature in Google Maps called My Location. At the press of a button I can get my current location (approximate) on my Blackberry Pearl. And then get the directions from there. No more trying to figure out where I am, if I am lost. No more stopping at gas stations in unknown locations to ask for directions. As long as I have cell phone signal, I am good. This is almost as good as having a portable GPS.
Google Maps approximates the current location based on the information provided by the service provider, about the “cell” of the Mobile tower that I am connected to. My brother told me about this way of tracking long about 4-5 years back, when he was working for a Cell Phone Service Provider. He even suggested the same use for future (maybe he should have patented the idea). Of course I can improve on this by adding a Bluetooth GPS for my exact location. But this is good enough for me.
Now, this is 1 more reason I can say to my wife - “I don’t need directions, I know where I am at”.
Posted by admin as Network, software at 8:56 AM MST
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