Google Maps for Mobile Knows Where You Are

There's a new feature in the version of Google Maps for mobile phones, called My Location. Using either your phone's built-in GPS function (if your phone has built-in GPS, that is) or triangulation from the nearest cell phone tower, My Location lets you highlight where you are on the onscreen map. Just press the 0 key and look for a blue dot -- that's you!

New Article: Using Google Mobile

Check out my most recent article on the InformIT site: Using Google Mobile on Your Cell Phone. It's all about all the cool Google stuff you can do from a mobile phone -- maps, mail, searching, and more!

Real Time Flight Info on Your Cell Phone

Now you can text message Google and receive real-time flight info from Flightstats.com. Just send a text message to 466453 (GOOGLE) containing your flight number; Google will text back the status of your flight.

Google Mobile Search Updated

Google has updated the functionality of its Google Mobile search. The homepage for your cell phone has been simplified (fewer clicks to the info you want) and the results have been refined for more relevancy. Check it out here.

Google Maps Adds Live Traffic Data

Here's something real cool. Google Maps, in both the desktop and mobile versions, now offers live traffic data for over 30 cities. Just call up a map and then click the Traffic button; major roads now appear as green (smooth), yellow (busy), or red (congested). You can even overly the traffic data on the satellite and hybrid views. And on interstate highways, you get the green/yellow/red separately for lanes in both directions! I find this especially useful when I'm on the go, and can check Google Maps via Google Mobile on my cell phone.