Some google maps questions for those with Android

[AquaVita]

Hey all....

First...does the google maps app have the Walking/Transit options like the blackberry and web clients have? That's a critical feature for me.

Also, I hear of people being unable to find their location when GPS is not working in maps...but doesn't the google maps client also use the Cell-Tower location feature like basically every other version of google maps? This way you could at least get a basic idea of where you are.

Thanks for any help!

[PixelHenge]

You know, when i had gps off it said i was in idaho (im in CO)... it suppose to find you within 1 mile or so w/o gps, but its rather unpredicable.

There are no 'modes' of any sort. the dot will move with you, but the screen doesnt seem to. you have to keep hitting :my location" to center.

And did i mention you cant save locations or drop pins?

[AquaVita]

You know, when i had gps off it said i was in idaho (im in CO)... it suppose to find you within 1 mile or so w/o gps, but its rather unpredicable.

There are no 'modes' of any sort. the dot will move with you, but the screen doesnt seem to. you have to keep hitting :my location" to center.

And did i mention you cant save locations or drop pins?

There's no favourites feature in gmaps? Wow. What about transit and walking directions?

[PixelHenge]

hahaha! dont i wish- i bike everywhere- thatd be great. no, its as basic as it comes, less so IMO. you cant even route to a chosen point, only an address. There are no modes of any kind. I havnt even been able to use it to find bus stops or exits. This has got to be the worst "maps" google has ever put out. the street view is useless, only there to show off, no purpose, its not intgrated into regualr maps, so you cant search an address and then see the street view.

[AquaVita]

That strikes me as very odd. I wonder when we'll get an update? Hell, even the gmaps app on the iphone does more than that!

[PixelHenge]

I dontkno if theyll even update that. I have no idea why they left it out either. I could see why iphone would leave out something like MMS because they expected the whole world to use iphone and just e-mail pictures instead... but the maps on this phone, i really dont get it. Youd think they would want to sow off ALL the features of maps on their very own OS.

[Sam'sG1]

Well guys remember this is the first Android Platform...GOOGLE kinda half assed all the apps on the phone the reason IMO is that they want to just have a "starting" point for the apps so some users can alternate them to their likings and others. Basically google said here you go a crappy version of google maps and hopefully someone out there will make it better.

[PixelHenge]

Well, being thaey are the MAKERS of g-maps, its pretty poor they didnt do this themselves.. no one would do it better than them.

[Sam'sG1]

thats true but i kinda think they want App Makers to go all out you know? maybe if someone makes a better version of what GOOGLE did not finish than perhaps that lucky person or group will get noticed by GOOGLE.

[PixelHenge]

Well, screw the end user then I know it was suppose to be beta and all.. open sorce, leave it up to the devs... but i really didnt think id end up with total stunted functionality on the apps they advertized included in the handset. That bites.