This High-Tech Backpack Is Mapping the Remotest Corners for Google (Video)

Google uses a 42-pound backpack with 15 cameras to capture areas its picture-taking cars can’t go.
Google map treadmill

Shoot the Moon: How Google Turned a Hodgepodge of Upgrades Into a Show of Strength

For the search giant, the dream-big stuff of tomorrow was about today being a better version of yesterday.
hypnosis

Google’s Upcoming Maps App Includes Smarter Venue Search, Waze-Like Rerouting

Google jabs at Apple, touting the accuracy of its own Maps app at Google I/O today.
Google Maps

As Mapping Costs Rise, Waze’s Volunteer Army Will Give It an Edge (Video)

Does Google have 44 million robotic cars prowling the roads?
noam_bardin1

California Court: Even Checking Maps on Phone While Driving Not Okay

No hands-on use of cellphones means what it says, according to a state appeals court.
forstall-with-iOS-6-maps-feature

Voices

Google Breaks Up Mapping and Commerce Unit

Google Inc. executive Jeff Huber stepped aside as head of the Internet giant’s mapping and commerce unit on Wednesday, in a two-part management shift that also saw the chief of the Android unit, Andy Rubin, leave his position, said people familiar with the matter.

News Byte

Google Maps for iPhone Update Adds Contacts Integration

Google Maps for iPhone is getting its first major update today. In version 1.1, users can now search for any address stored in their Google contacts list. In addition, tapping inside the search bar brings up the option for finding nearby places in 13 different categories (e.g., restaurants, hotels, gas stations). Google is also rolling out the app to seven new countries, including Egypt, Lebanon and Bahrain. Google Maps for iPhone launched in December and was quickly downloaded by iPhone users frustrated with the poor Apple Maps experience.

What Do You Mean There Is No Dairy Queen on This Map?

North Korea has been added to Google Maps, so you can now get biking, driving, or forced marching directions.

Stephen Colbert, via Twitter

News Byte

Global Geo Services Worth as Much as $270B Per Year

A pair of studies paid for by Google found that the global geo services industry — which is defined to include things like satellite navigation and electronic maps, with applications of those technology in areas like agriculture and emergency services — is valued at $150 to $270 billion per year. As the Yeah Yeah Yeahs might say, “maaaaaaps.”

Can a Touchscreen Replace a Mouse?

Walt answers a reader’s question on whether certain programs running on Windows 8 machines will require using only the touchscreen.

A Maps of the World

Google Set to Release iOS Maps App Tonight