Cell phones are being increasingly used for navigation assistance and Google Maps are used
extensively.  Google Maps (formerly Google Local) is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free (for
non-commercial use), that powers many map-based services, including the Google
Maps website. It offers street maps, a route planner for traveling and an urban
business locator for numerous countries around the world. Just fyi, Google Maps
satellite images are not updated in real time; they are several months or years
old.

Google Map Navigation
for Android 2.0 is free and you can download it from https://market.android.com/

Features
provided in the application are:

• Search in plain English
• Search by voice
• Traffic view
• Search along route
• Satellite view
• Street View
• Car dock mode

In
the event of cellular network not available, you would not be able to use the Google
maps thus forced to be reliant on strangers for even small things such as
finding an ATM, coffee-shop in nearby locality etc.

The
good news is that Google has a solution for this situation (lack of wireless
network).

Google
Maps for Android offers an experimental Labs feature — Pre-cache Map Area,
which allows downloading map data and save it on the phone. This data can be
accessed and use when there is no network coverage.

Google keeps experimenting on the on the various features
and takes inputs from the users to improve their services to provide new
improvements. All the experimental features are present in Labs section of the
Maps and users who wish to try out this feature can enable them. Below is the step-by-step approach to pre-cache
Google Maps on Android Smartphone:

Step 1

Open
Google Maps app. Press “Menu” button, go to settings and Select the option “Labs”

Step 2

Select Pre-cache map area (3^rd option from the top). This option will
enable your android device to load your Google Maps in the places where you
don’t have internet connection.

Step 3

Select respective area you wish to pre-cache on map

Step 4

Tap  on the popped-up balloon and go to menu to choose pre-cache map area from the
details page.

Step 5

Download map data for the area you have selected.

By default, Google Maps app will download and pre-cache the map data for the area
you selected. Once done, the map will outline the pre-cached area which is
available even in offline mode.

Now you are good to go even without a cellular network in unknown places. Happy
travelling Guys

Just to set the context,
Google’s engineers have been making around 500 changes to its search algorithm
every year. That makes it roughly more than one per day.
The primary intent as I understand is to retain the market leadership in the
area of Search Engines by giving users better and latest results. Btw, Yahoo
Search Engine commands meager 3.93 % of the global search engine market with
Microsoft Corp’s Bing marginally ahead with 4.37%.

It is said that this change will affect around 35% of searches, where it
was specially designed to target queries about recurring events, recent
activity in the news as well as frequent updates. Though, it will not impact
most of the static websites, however the websites/ blogs with continual
addition/ modification of content and new information will be impacted with
introduction of new algorithm by Google.

Just fyi, an algorithm
is a set of mathematical steps that solves a problem so in this case it solves
your search query and gives the search result as an output of the algorithm.
For example, when you search for information on a legend, someone who is
historic in nature and the information available about him would not change in
all probabilities, Google search will not impact the search results or the page
rank. Let’s take an example of “Alexander the Great”. Please see the snapshot
below. The information provided is in the order of

1. Alexander the Great : Personality (No change in the information available unless some
   archeologist or historian dig out something radical)
2. Movie trailer on YouTube : Alexander the Great
3. Various sites with keyword “Alexander” such as Alexander Wang, Alexander Trailer 2,
   Complete guide to Alexander technique , so on and so forth

However, in the case of recurring events wherein the new algorithm by
Google will play a decisive role in events, there could be a substantial impact
on Page Rank. A recurring event could be an event happening on a periodic basis
such as Olympics, Beauty Contests, Conferences and Seminars or anything else
that is exposed to regular or continual inflow of new data. For example, let’s
take “Ponds Femina Miss India” which is an annual event. You can see the search
being modified to suggest the page rank in such a fashion that you get the most
relevant information rather the latest information.

Amit Singhal, a Google Fellow, and head of Google’s core ranking team,
on the company’s official blogpost said that “Given the incredibly fast pace at which
information moves in today’s world, the most recent information can be from the
last week, day or even minute, and depending on the search terms, the algorithm
needs to be able to figure out if a result from a week ago about a TV show is
recent, or if a result from a week ago about breaking news is too old.”

And that “If I search for [Olympics], I probably want information about
next summer’s upcoming Olympics, not the 1900 Summer Olympics.” This “freshness
algorithm” should make sure that results on Summer 2012 Olympics will end up on
top instead of previous exploits.

And that precisely seems to be the essence of this new algorithm.

Now, to understand better, let’s reflect upon the areas where the search
results or the page rack will see major changes. The three major areas wherein
the search result will get impacted are;

Recency: When a user searches with a set of keywords, he will see the pages
with latest information on the top.

Recurrence: Some events take place on a regularly recurring basis, such as annual
conferences like [FICCI] or an event
like the election. Without specifying with your keywords, it’s implied that you
expect to see the most recent event, and not one from 20 years ago.

Frequency: There is always a demand for information that changes continuously
such as information about electronic gadgetry (Cell phones, laptps etc). So if
you are searching for Laptops, the new algorithm will ensure that Page Rank is
such that you get the most up-to-date information on the laptops.

In nutshell, this new
tweak will make much sense and will be useful for users, however will keep the
website owners/ bloggers at their edge to retain their page ranking. Typical free
market competition guys…

Major Smartphone
manufacturers in the race of capturing market size are Samsung, Apple, HTC.
Though Nokia is there but is losing on its market size gradually. Given the
highly competitive market, customers are spoilt for choices. So, if you are
planning to buy one, let’s make it simpler for you. We have compiled a list of
best smart phones available in the market. So go ahead and take your pick;

Samsung Galaxy S II

Samsung Galaxy S2 is premium Android based
handset which is also Samsung’s most advanced and successful Smartphone to
date. Its Dual Core Application Processor
provides functionality and density for fast browsing, quick multi-tasking, a
smooth UI, snappy streaming and efficient gaming. With encoding/decoding
ability that supports video play and recording, the Samsung GALAXY S II
showcases outstanding power and performance. This super slim phone has ambient light sensors. The 4.3″
SUPER AMOLED Plus display goes a step beyond the already remarkable SUPER
AMOLED to provide enhanced readability, a slimmer design, and better battery
consumption  for the best viewing value
of any Smartphone. Samsung GALAXY S II rides the leading edge with an
ultra-slim 8.49mm form factor, a luxurious design and an easy grip. The
ultra-slim Smartphone also boasts 3D TouchWiz UX adds to the evolutionary
experience with a futuristic user interface. The RAM is of 1 GB and 4 GB ROM.
The camera is of 8 megapixels with 1080p of HD video recording. The WI-FI and
Bluetooth gives a faster access to internet. This device is priced at

Apple iPhone 4

iPhone 4 is the latest
phone available from Apple in India. Apple iPhone5 would be available some time
soon. Sleek and stylish, it is capable of performing various functions faster
and is available with two memory options
16GB and 32GB and lots of features like 5 megapixel camera, HD video, and
improved performance. The Face
Time App will give you a never before experience of videoconferencing and the
Retina Display sets the new standards in cell phone displays.  And after all, it is an Apple Product. Price
for iPhone 4 in India is Rs.  40000/-

HTC  Sensation

The HTC sensation is an android Smartphone. This 3G enabled device
runs on android 2.3 gingerbread OS and is powered by dual core 1.2GHz QUALCOMM
MSM 8260 processor.  The HTC sensation offers an attractive choice to
people looking for an alternative to the first two phones.  The LCD touch screen is 4.3
inch in size, has a screen resolution of 540×960 and has a gorilla glass
protection.  The phone was a
CNET Editors’ Choice Award winner and they said that it is “sensational in many
ways”. It supports Bluetooth, WI-FI with 1520 mAh standard battery for
extra long battery life. HTC Sensation aka HTC Pyramid cost Rs. 32,000 in India.

LG Optimux 2S

Another  choice for people who are looking beyond Apple or Samsung.  The LG Optimus 2X P990 sports dual-core 1GHz
Nvidia Tegra T20 System on Chip processor and comes with Android 2.2 Froyo. Its appearance and feel may be slightly bulky but it
offers some great hardware. LG Optimux 2S sports a 4
inch display, 8 MP camera with 1080p (full HD) video recording, 512 MB RAM, 8GB
internal memory, HDMI. It offers 3G connectivity, wireless LAN, WI-FI with DLNA
(Digital Living Network Alliance) sharing. It is priced at Rs. 25, 000 in India.

BlackBerry Bold 9900

Though I didn’t wanted to include Blackberry in my
top5, but then I won’t have done justice to the list of smart phones. So for the
entire Blackberry loyalist, this final one is for you guys. BlackBerry Bold 9900 runs on latest Blackberry 7
OS. BlackBerry® 7 is the next generation BlackBerry OS, packed with powerful
new features and innovative apps.  With an
elegantly brushed stainless steel frame, sculpted surfaces and advanced
composite backing, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 Smartphone are as lightweight and
durable as they are feature-packed. And also, with a 1.2 GHz processor, and a 24-bit high-res display, Liquid
Graphics gives you fluid animations and instant response times. The other
notable features of a Blackberry Bold 9900 are its powerful performance, 8 GB
memory expandable upto 32 GB, 5MP camera, capacitive touch screen and an Optical
trackpad. Price for Blackberry Bold
9900 in India is Rs.  30,000/-  in India.