Google puts maps, more within easy wireless reach

[jones]

Google puts maps, more within easy wireless reach
Jim Rossman

March 29, 2006 3:22 AM

The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS - Like many of you, I carry a BlackBerry as my primary mobile communication device.

And up until now, I've been quite happy with the e-mail and phone service my older BlackBerry provided.

My newest device, Cingular's BlackBerry 8700c, does messaging and voice calls and adds the ability to use Cingular's high-speed Edge data network. The 8700c has a Web browser, but quite honestly my experience with browsing on the BlackBerry has been less than stellar - until I found the perfect application.

Google has released a program called Google Local for Mobile - a specialized version of the Google Local feature at the Google Maps Web site.

GLM lets users view maps and satellite photos, find local business listings and get turn-by-turn directions, all on their mobile phone.

Google has also included some wireless-specific features such as ''click to call'' for numbers you look up.

To use GLM you'll need a Java-enabled phone with a data plan. According to Google, GLM works with most data phones from Cingular and Sprint and all color BlackBerry phones regardless of carrier, but it doesn't work with Nextel, T-Mobile or Verizon phones.

GLM is an application you download and run from the phone instead of accessing the information through a browser, as on your computer.

Launch the application and click search. Enter an address or business name and ZIP code and you'll quickly be presented with a map of your query.

Try entering pizza and your ZIP code and you'll be presented with up to nine choices. Click the phone's number keys to scroll through the search results.

When you choose a pizza restaurant, you'll find the address and phone number, and you can call the number with one click.

GLM doesn't know where you are, so you'll also get a link to enter your location to bring up turn-by-turn driving directions.

If your device has a high-resolution screen, you can switch over to satellite view to see an overhead photo of your destination.

Your phone obviously doesn't have a mouse, so Google has small on-screen links for moving in any direction. BlackBerry users can use the scroll wheel to move north or south and can change to scroll east or west by holding down the alt key while scrolling.

Zooming in and out is just as easy. BlackBerry users can use the I key to zoom in and the O key to zoom out.

GLM scores big points in ease of use. I find myself using it almost every day. Looking up a phone number has never been so easy.

You can see if there is a version of GLM for your phone at www.google.com/glm/getstarted.html.

If your phone isn't on the list, you can still access the data a few other ways.

You can send a text message containing the search query and location (pizza 75214) to 46645 to get local listings.

If your phone has a browser, you can visit mobile.google.com/local to get to the interface.

Using the GLM application is the best way, but the browser is the next-best thing.

---

Pros: Very easy to use. Fast response. Free.

Cons: Not available for all phones.

Bottom line: If your phone can handle it, you should put down your paper and download this application NOW from www.google.com/glm.

http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article...07716301717667