Yesterday, we reported that Google was redirecting Windows Phone users who tried to access maps.google.com to Search instead. Google has offered an explanation, stating that the redirect was in place because Internet Explorer mobile on Windows Phones provided a lackluster experience. In light of improvements with the browser, however, Google says that it is now in the process of taking down the redirect.News of the Maps redirect surfaced shortly after the FTC’s long probe into the company’s alleged harmful practices came to an end with Google receiving a mere wrist slapping. Speculation abounded that this was a move on Google’s part to harm its competition, something fueled by the recent claim by Microsoft‘s Vice President David Heiner that Google is deliberately harming Windows Phone. Another issue fueling speculation was that users could still access Maps via maps.google.co.uk.

Google says that the redirect was only a product decision, not a malicious attempt on its end to backhand its competition. The company then went on to state that Google Maps was designed for WebKit and that because Internet Explorer mobile used a different rendering engine, it could not access Maps. Many pointed out that the explanation didn’t make complete sense, given that the desktop version of IE 10 can access Maps fine. Google then went on to clarify, offering this statement to The Next Web:

“We periodically test Google Maps compatibility with mobile browsers to make sure we deliver the best experience for those users. In our last test, IE mobile still did not offer a good maps experience with no ability to pan or zoom and perform basic map functionality. As a result, we chose to continue to redirect IE mobile users to Google.com where they could at least make local searches. The Firefox mobile browser did offer a somewhat better user experience and that’s why there is no redirect for those users.

VIA:SLASH GEAR

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Google recently launched their Google Music service in the UK, and the new service came with one feature that was not available to US users, the Google Music cloud matching service.

Google has now rolled out their cloud music matching service to Google Music users in the US, and it works in a similar way to Apple’s iTunes Match.

Our new music matching feature gets your songs into your online music library on Google Play much faster. We’ll scan your collection and quickly rebuild it in the cloud – all for free. And we’ll stream your music back to you at up to 320 kbps.

This feature is live today for people in the US, following our European launch last month. Check it out: http://goo.gl/Hehq6! It’ll be music to your ears.

VIA:GEEKY GADGETS

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Google has edited the online help manual for the Nexus 4. Prior to editing the online help manual, Google did have a section in the manual that mentioned that there may be the need for an adapter to connect some peripheral devices via USB. Now the Nexus 4 online manual has been edited to say the following on Google’s site


"You can connect a keyboard, mouse, or even a joystick or other input device to your phone via Bluetooth and use it just as you would with a PC. USB is not supported for connecting such devices."

Some of you may be asking why is a USB port or USB capability important in a cell phone? To some people it wouldn’t be a big deal at all, to others it is a pretty big deal. The USB capability, allows people minimal amount of storage to add storage, if you will, using a USB OTG (On The Go) adapter (pictured below) and a USB flash drive. This would allow the people with the smaller gigabyte models (or any model of that matter) to save those large video files or large files that they can’t store on 8 or 16 GB and basically allow everyone to have unlimited storage using flash drives.


There is another issue when dealing with connecting everything via Bluetooth the large battery drain. Not allowing USB connectivity also means that everything will be connected wirelessly through Bluetooth and the Google Nexus 4 online help manual even carries this warning “Important: Continuous use of a mouse via Bluetooth will cause a significant additional drain on your battery.” People wanting to use USB OTG to help save battery life may not be able to in the future, at least not on the Nexus 4.

It is unclear at this time if the Nexus 4 will get any updates in the future to allow USB OTG connectivity, but for right now, the manual says it all, USB not supported here. We’ll keep you updated if this changes.

09:29 / 0 comments Read More