Google will allow Android phone users the ability to get turn-by-turn directions when using Google Maps on their phone. The feature update to the application also includes voice-powered search and will be exclusively available on phones running Android. The turn-by-turn feature is enabled by GPS, which is packaged with the new Droid phone, which will be available next Friday on the Verizon Wireless network.
Google's new music search service is now live. As predicted, when searching for a song through Google, the search results will pull small links from Lala, iLike, Rhapsoy and Pandora before regular search results. In most cases, when a user clicks on the searched song, a pop up window player will appear with the song available for free listening.
Peek is reportedly bringing a Twitter-only handheld device to market. The TwitterPeek, which includes coverage and doesn't need or offer Wi-Fi, is currently available for pre-sale on Amazon, with a price of $199. The real question is, Will users flock to a device for Twitter only, even though they can accomplish the same tasks on their phone?
Pandora is now giving users the chance to share songs and stations with friends on social networks. The streaming music sight will also allow its users the chance to gift stations to friends on Facebook and other Pandora users. Pandora hopes that sharing stations and songs on Twitter and Facebook will turn potential users onto new music, while also exposing potential users to Pandora.
Google is also working on its Google Voice service. The search giant will limit the number of phone numbers blocked by the Internet phone service. The decision comes during an FCC review of Google Voice, which found that the service was prone to blocking calls to certain number. The FCC wants Google's service, like land line and mobile phone plans, to be able to access all intact numbers seamlessly, in order to ensure quality of product for consumers.
Shelly Palmer is a consultant and the host of MediaBytes with Shelly Palmer a daily show featuring news you can use about technology, media & entertainment. He is Managing Director of Advanced Media Ventures Group LLC and the author of Television Disrupted: The Transition from Network to Networked TV. Shelly is also President of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. You can join the MediaBytes mailing list here. Shelly can be reached at shelly@palmer.net For information about Get Digital Classes, visit www.shellypalmer.com/seminars