Google Maps updated with directions for multiple destinations, events and more

In an effort to tailor its Maps offering to the requirements of individuals, Google has announced new features and tools based on feedback from its users, namely: directions for multiple destinations; displaying relevant itinerary data within maps itself, and, displaying upcoming events data for venues. 

Available for driving, walking, and biking, 'directions for multiple destinations' is a feature (pictured above) that will let users plot the best route for them on a map when visiting more than one destinations on a single trip. Users have to choose a starting point, then begin plotting by adding destinations with the '+' button, using either the search box, or directly clicking the locations directly on the map. 

To plot the best route, users can re-order their destinations by simply dragging and dropping them in the list. The directions for multiple destinations feature also ties in with the new Views carousel, which will let users preview their destinations using Photo Tours, Street View, and other available imagery, within the same window. 

For signed-in users, Google has tried integrating a Google Now-style digital assistant feature (pictured below), which will let such users see their flight, hotel and restaurant reservations whenever they open the relevant map. According to Google, "having all your stuff in one place makes it easier to manage your appointment details and plan your commute."

Google emphasised that these itinerary details are only visible to the individual user, and only when signed in on the desktop. The thrown-up data can be pulled by users when using the Google Maps apps, by accessing recent search history - synching from the desktop. For now, the feature is only available for US users, and only in English. 

Finally, the 'Upcoming Events' feature (pictured below) is a card-based display of a venue's schedule. If you are unsure about the venues in the area, you can select them by category, such as 'music venues,' to be able explore what events will soon be held near you.

Google's promised a lot more features for Maps, which will be coming soon, and are products of their busy summer of development. You can see more details about the new features via the official Google 'Lat Long' Maps blog.

Facebook introduces alpha testing program for Android

In an official blog post, Facebook has introduced the Facebook for Android alpha testing program following feedback received by users of the Android beta testing program launched back in June.

Christian Legnitto, mobile release engineering leader, states "In addition to quality reports, we get over 1,000 direct pieces of feedback from beta testers per day, including feature requests, bug reports, and posts in our feedback group."

With over 260,000 testers reportedly joining the option Facebook group for feedback exchange this has lead to the introduction of Facebook for Android alpha testing program.

Learn how to become an alpha tester at the bottom of this article.

Legnitto writes, "We started out with beta as we knew it would be a good balance between testing and usability, but we'd love to get feedback as early as testers want to give it."

The Facebook for Android alpha testing program will be at an even earlier stage in it development.

Users can join the alpha program by joining the Facebook for Android Alpha Testers Google group, allow alpha downloads by clicking "Become a Tester" in the Play Store, download Facebook from the Play Store to update your app, turn on automatic updates (alpha will be updated multiple times per week), and finally report problems and give feedback by using the "Report a Problem" menu item.

Text and voice messaging service Voxer introduces a Web-based client for business users

Voxer, a popular messaging and walkie-talkie service, has added a Web-based app for business users to complement its existing iOS and Android apps.

The Web app, which is basically a substitute for a desktop client, provides access to multiple chats on one screen — supporting push-to-talk voice, text and multimedia messages — and lets users to listen in on real-time chat conversations, with support for wired headsets. The Voxer business service is priced at $4.95 per user/per month for businesses, although that price will increase to $9.95 per user/per month from January 2014.

I’ve said before that adding a desktop client is smart for messaging, and that’s particularly true when your core audience is business users since it helps keep teams connected conveniently during the working day, when desktops are often the primary device. Voxer highlights the example of mini-cab and taxi firms, for example.

Voxer also offers a free version of its service for consumers — which includes a Windows Phone application that is not supported by the business plan.

The Latest TeamViewer For Android Update Adds Clipboard Synchronization, Sound Options, And More

I've tried more that a few remote access apps on both Android and Windows, and TeamViewer is right up there with the best of them (especially if you work with people who can't get a handle on VLC). Today's Android app update adds some much-needed features to the mobile access app, most notably the ability to silence sound from the remote machine without turning the sound off on your Android device. Huzzah!

  

The other major addition is clipboard synchronization. If you've ever used the Chrome To Phone app, you know how this works: selecting, highlighting, and copying text from your computer will allow you to paste it into any text field on your Android device, and vice versa. This is incredibly useful for remote access, especially if you're providing support and have to put in fiddly text like file addresses. TeamViewer users can now choose to lock the desktop (or not) at the end of every session, and the app will try to restore lost sessions more reliably simply by re-opening.

Last and probably least, the change log includes the usual "minor fixes and improvements." TeamViewer is free for private use on Android devices running 2.1 or higher, and works with clients on Windows, OS X, and Linux.

Android 4.4 KitKat launch date outed by Nestle Facebook update

Just over a fortnight ago we reported on the fun and friendly no-cash-changing-hands deal between Google and Nestle which would mean that the upcoming major update to the Android mobile OS would be Christened Android 4.4 KitKat. Previously it was to be called ‘Key Lime Pie’ but “very few people actually know the taste of a key lime pie,” a senior Google exec explained. Also all Google coders are fuelled by KitKats.

The release schedule and other details about what to expect from Android KitKat were kept secret by Google so the KitKat story wasn’t much more than PR fluff. Readers wanted to know; when is it released? and what’s new? Now thanks to Nestle Germany’s Facebook account we have a much better answer to the first of of those questions.

KitKat confirmed to an interested Facebooker, by the name of Tim, that “Android 4.4 KIT KAT ist ab Oktober verfügbar”.This ‘official’ statement by the Swiss multi-national corporation seems to confirm earlier rumours of a 14th October introduction date for the new Android OS.

What is new in Android KitKat? Google only says that “It's our goal with Android KitKat to make an amazing Android experience available for everybody.” However that statement is hard to interpret, it could have various meanings. Mobile orientated site Know Your Mobile (KYM) has a lot more specifics listed in a recent roundup of likely/rumoured features. Among nebulous statements like the new mobile OS will have a new colour scheme and “general UI enhancements” KYM suggests that KitKat will help reduce Android fragmentation thanks to lower system demands. Rumours are that even older devices, which have missed out on updates to Android 4.0, will be able to update to and run 4.4. This ties in nicely with Google’s statement about KitKat being “available for everybody”.

Other major changes coming in Android KitKat according to KYM include a tighter integration with Google Drive cloud storage, improved battery life thanks to coding optimisations and improved security from malware and crashes due to bugs. Also there will be the extra bonus of lots and lots of promotional Android KitKat hardware being given away with the popular Nestle chocolate and wafer snack.

Google Adds Probable Android 4.4 Screenshot To Keyboard Update, Shows New Status Bar With Gray Icons And KLP Debug Icon

Google is juggling a lot of things right now. It's really not realistic to expect no one in the company to ever make a mistake. Well, today's slip-up is to our advantage. The most recent update to the Korean keyboard IME in Google Play contains a new screenshot which appears to be from Android 4.4 KitKat.

The status bar has light gray icons and clock font, which has been suggested in a number of leaks. There was also a hint of gray icons in the recently leaked video. Over on the other side of the status bar is a debug icon – a piece of pie. The debug icon in Jelly Bean is a little Android jelly bean, so this screenshot was probably taken on a device that still had the decoy Key Lime Pie ID. We knew Google was keeping things under wraps with regard to the KitKat naming, and it looks like designers are still working on getting the Android 4.4 graphics updated.

These gray status bar icons could be just the tip of the iceberg. The rumors have been pointing to a more significant update to the UI of Android with 4.4, but we don't have anything concrete to confirm just yet. Also, according to a source, the latest Android test builds also no longer refer to the upcoming Nexus as 'Nexus 4' – it's now Nexus 5. Things are coming together nicely.

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Release Date Coming: Samsung Galaxy S3 Photo Leak Reminds Us System Update Is On The Way

The elusive Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for older Samsung devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 is expected in October; however, the Galaxy S3 has recently been spotted in the wild running the new operating system ahead of the scheduled rollout.

Tech blog AndroidSaS got its hands on a blurry photo of a Samsung Galaxy S3 international model showing the Android 4.3 operating system on its "about device" page. This isn’t our first sighting of the Galaxy S3 sporting Android 4.3. Back in July, the guys at Temefy shared an image from its insider at Samsung R&D India of the Galaxy S3. Similarly, its "about phone" page showed the handset running Android 4.3, build JDQ47. We can’t quite make out the build number of this current Android 4.3 leak on a Galaxy S3; however, it is notably different from the last.

There is no way to confirm the validity of the photo; however, tech website SamMobile believes the leak is a fake. This does not mean that the Android 4.3 is not on its way to the Samsung Galaxy S3.

Samsung announced after the unveiling of its new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 that the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4 will receive Android 4.3 updates in October. Additionally, the Korean manufacturer announced during its Sept. 4 unveiling of the Galaxy Note 3 that older devices including the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 would receive software support for compatibility with the newly unveiled Galaxy Gear smart watch. Many believe that the software support could come from Android 4.3, which includes the Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity needed to connect to external accessories such as Galaxy Gear to compatible handsets. News about the Android 4.3 updates for older devices has been scarce since the Galaxy Note 3 unveiling.

At the least we have a reminder that Android 4.3 should be on the way, not only for Samsung but for other popular handsets as well. We also expect to see an Android 4.3 update on the HTC One soon, as the Taiwanese manufacturer has confirmed U.S. models will skip Android 4.2.2 in favor for the newer version by the end of September.