Google Maps 5.8 for Android adds photo uploads

Google on Wednesday afternoon pushed out Google Maps 5.8 for Android users (Android Market) with a new photo component. Similar to Foursquare, users can now tag a place with photos to give a sense of the area or just to evoke a memory. Any shots snapped for Google Maps are automatically put in a special album in Android's Gallery for quick access later.

Regular travelers also now have a My Places option borrowed from the destkop that will save their favorite locations. Any of them can be given descriptors to help find them later, such as a favorite food or likely sights.

Again similar to Foursquare, visitors can now create a place page on the spot for a check-in if one doesn't already exist, such as for a new business or, most likely, a personal address. Custom addresses won't show up as searches for the public in Maps or Places but will be available to friends in Latitude.

Getting the Maps update needs at least Android 2.1.

By Electronista Staff