Google Maps 4.0 for Symbian includes Google Buzz

Published by at

Following the announcement earlier this evening of Google Buzz, the extension of Google and Gmail into social networking, Google Maps (for Mobile) 4.0 has been released, advertised with the feature: "Post and view real-time messages & photos at places around the world". For Symbian at the moment, Buzz is just implemented as another Layer in Google Maps' existing system, though there will be a compatible web site soon as well. For the Gmail integration to work, you'll have to click the link on the Google Buzz web site and then reload your Gmail page. Otherwise, just use Buzz direct from the new Google Maps, just 'Add Buzz', tap the speech bubble and you're off. Screenshots, video and more below. Comments welcome if you've got it working as well.

Screenshots of Google Maps 4.0 with Google Buzz in action:

Google Maps 4.0 for Symbian  Google Maps 4.0 for Symbian 

You can get Google Maps 4.0, a 1.6MB download, by going to m.google.com in Web on your Symbian smartphone.

From the official Google blog post on Buzz:

"The new Buzz layer allows you to see buzz near you or anywhere on the map. You can post public buzz directly from the layer, and even attach a photo from your phone. Also, try visiting a mobile Place Page to read recent comments or to post buzz about that place. You can access Place Pages from the web app as well, by tapping on the place name in any location-tagged post."

A Symbian-optimised mobile Google Buzz web site is 'coming soon', apparently (and is available now for iPhone and Android). You can find out more about Google Buzz by going here. Here's the Buzz site, as seen on the Google Nexus One:

The Buzz web site, as seen from the Nexus One

And here's what you'll see in Gmail on your desktop web browser, with Buzz appearing as a 'folder' in your Gmail left column. People you email a lot are automatically added, with others left in a 'suggested' list - a system that seems a little arbitrary, but I guess Google had to kick start Buzz somehow. At least this way they can boast tens of millions of users on day one.

Buzz in Gmail

It's interesting that Google's approach, based on a 'new' social system, follows Nokia Ovi Maps 3.3's own location sharing features, which is integrated with the existing (and huge) Facebook. It's worth noting that, like Latitude itself, which doesn't seem to be integrated into Buzz, just because Google's behind something doesn't necessarily mean it will become a roaring success....

Google Buzz

Finally, here's the official Google Buzz intro video:

Steve Litchfield, All About Symbian, 9 Feb 2010


 

 

Google Maps 4.0 for Symbian