Google Maps has been updated to version 5.2 for Android.The update will allow the user to post their Google Hotpot rating of a place directly to Twitter from within the maps broadening the sharing element. Also along with the check-in feature from the last update, now the user will be able to ping friends and contacts on Google Latitude to send a check-in request.
The maps from Google are certainly looking at combining social media sharing within the maps with this move. Basically, now when a user rates a restaurant, they will also get an option of sharing it on Twitter (adding the account). Just when you review and rate the place on Google Hotpot, the post also instantaneously gets pushed onto your Twitter and goes to all the followers from within Google Maps itself.
Google had introduced the Check-in feature in the previous Maps update. It has now added ‘Ping friends for check-in’ feature. So, when you check-in at a place, you can simply ping your friend on Latitude to join you at the same place. A ping request will be sent to your friend in the form of a notification, and once they also check in at the same place, you will get a confirmation message.
It also lets you search for the check-in location from within the Latitude layer. Also new is the ‘explore nearby’ in the Places layer, letting you find places around your location. The update will work on Android OS 1.6 and above.
