Google Maps for Mobile 5 unveiled, adds dynamic map drawing and offline mode

engadget.com

19 points·bound008··9 comments

Google maps/nav was one of the deciding factors for me when moving from the iPhone to a Droid X, and it just keeps getting better.

which brings us to... offline caching. Maps will keep on file the locations that you go to (and search) most often, and it'll be able to reroute while offline in Navigation

So does that mean data is only cached offline if you're in the area? What happens if the area you want mapped has no cell coverage, is there no caching of that location?

The (and search) might solve that?

This is the first app I have heard about where I have Android envy -- maybe it is time to switch from the iPhone

depending on hardware capabilities (3D rendering) and "distinct multitouch" hardware support

Hrmm, only 8 phones are 100% compatible. Could anyone explain what distinct multitouch is? Why would a touchscreen support two finger pinch but not a two finger push?

"Distinct multitouch" is multitouch as you would expect -- multiple simultaneous independent points of contact on the screen. The N1 uses some sort of pseudo-multitouch where it can make a pretty good guess how far apart your fingers are, but doesn't know unambiguously where they were.

Demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsSUqkh8pcI

Wouldn't it be feasible to make an iPhone google map app that included a map caching tile server for offline mode?

Ooh, the offline mode is going to be handy in Australia.

interesting that the Nexus One and HTC Desire aren't fully supported, presumably due to their touchscreens

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