Google I/0 2012

[Phlashman]

So it's time for Google's big developer event. Looks like we'll be seeing a few Google announcements over the next couple of days. But mainly it's going to be about Jelly Bean (the new version of android) and a Nexus Tablet.

Jelly bean doesn't require considering at the moment as it'll be years before many android users are on it.

But the Nexus tab seem to be a direct go at the Kindle, which I'm not sure if it's been successful or not. 7" is still too small IMO but if it's going for the same $199 price point as the kindle I suppose someone will buy it.

It'll be nice if they show off there iOS maps app.

So it's time for Google's big developer event. Looks like we'll be seeing a few Google announcements over the next couple of days. But mainly it's going to be about Jelly Bean (the new version of android) and a Nexus Tablet.

Jelly bean doesn't require considering at the moment as it'll be years before many android users are on it.

But the Nexus tab seem to be a direct go at the Kindle, which I'm not sure if it's been successful or not. 7" is still too small IMO but if it's going for the same $199 price point as the kindle I suppose someone will buy it.

It'll be nice if they show off there iOS maps app.

Yeah, given that only 7.1% of Android users are currently on ICS, Jelly Bean's uptake will probably be quite slow

I'm interested in the iOS Maps app... I wouldn't be surprised if Apple rejected it, though.

[Phlashman]

Well they Approved Google Earth and that's pretty much the maps app.

Obviously if you've seen me on Twitter I'm really not looking forward to Apple using Bing's data:

Google:


Bing/Apple:


My house is 12 years old, they'd not even got to the foundations when Bing's photos were taken. Plus the quality is shit.

Oh dead that's awful

I've seen quite a few criticism's of the new iOS Map app's data and quality.

Bing actually has the most up to date images for me. In the last 2 years there was a building built behind our house, it's there on Bing but it hasn't even begun construction on Google.

[Phlashman]

Where do you live?

London gets done every year or 2, some of the big cities get covered every 3-4. But 12?

What's even worse, is I used to work for the company that processes the aerial photography for Google and Bing in the UK (I probably scanned in the imagery that Bing are using), which is based in Coalville, and as such we used to get flown over all the time. The fact that Google has the data means there's a newer dataset for bing ready, they just haven't bought it like Google have.

I live in Middlesbrough.

[ApocalypseCow]

In my experience Bing map data is newer than Google, they have better resolution photos and the 3D views and street view pics are a lot better. Obviously there's places where Google has better data, but to disregard the entire service because your house isn't on it... well

anyway,Bing just added a fuckton of new data this week:

165TB of New Imagery Added to Bing Maps

Bing Maps Blog 6/25/2012 9:00 AM
Today we’re thrilled to announce the publication of our largest satellite release to date. In fact, this release is larger than all of our past Aerial releases combined!

The latest Aerial release includes new Satellite imagery as well as Global Ortho photography. Both releases total 165 terabytes of new data live on Bing Maps. Prior to this, our existing Aerial footprint was 129 terabytes total.

http://live.cnet.com/Event/Google_IO_Wednesday_Keynote

Its a cool OS demonstration but with the fact that only a small selection of devices will get the update it really doesn't matter.

[Phlashman]

Some cools stuff.

But as you said, how much of it will end up in consumers hands anytime soon? Or even without some ghastly skin plastered over it?

I don't entirely get the Nexus Q... I'll have to do some catching up.

[Phlashman]

More stuff being announced today.

Most importantly IMO, Chrome for iOS. For me, if it's right, I'm going to love it.

Well I got chrome for android.
You'd think it would have been one of the first apps available but no...
Anyway it keep crashing.

[Phlashman]

So chrome for iOS isn't as great as I thought it'd be. While Chrome sync is cool as all my passwords and bookmarks are there, my extensions aren't. The browser isn't as fast as Safari either.

Think I'll stick with Safari.

How would it have extensions anyway?


As for the speed... 3rd party browsers on iOS cannot use the "Nitro" JavaScript engine, so Safari will always have a speed advantage. Despite that, though, I hate Safari and already use a 3rd party browser anyway (iCab Mobile)... so I'll probably switch to Chrome for the desktop sync.