Google Maps was updated about a week ago, and the biggest addition to it was support for either external bluetooth GPS or integrated GPS. This is my most used app, due to my continuous driving situation I'm on right now, and it's searching and traffic display are impressive for the most part. I've been switching back and forth between my E61i + External BT GPS and my N95-3 using the integrated AGPS. I've been trying to use different aspects of it as much as possible in both scenarios, and these are what stand out for me:
Cases of it crashing: I don't know why this is happening, and since I'm using the N95-3, RAM issues shouldn't be involved at all. The crashing is that once the app has started, or just checking on it, once the phone goes idle for more than 5 min, the app has closed most of the time. I'm assuming when the GPS is activated, this happens. If anyone else has this problem please drop a comment.
Scrolling and loading has been improved: they've done a good job with the start time. Also the loading of traffic info has improved drastically as well, even at EDGE speeds. Scrolling is also a lot smoother, but hickups once in a while.
GPS data and function is minimum: It's a free application after all, so it's great to have GPS nonetheless. I just wish if they don't want to include auto-navigation or voice guidance in a free version, at least make it have the ability to have a time-trip, average speed, and etc. It only shows the accuracy of the GPS position. Since it's a native application to S60, it shouldn't be too hard to make Google Maps import GPS data from the default GPS Data application and display it there.
Menu numerical shortcuts gone: The good thing about the java version of Google Maps was the numerical shortcuts for navigating through the menu options like 1 for search, 2 for directions, and etc. Now that has gone, so getting to items in the options menu of the new Maps is more cumbersome.
Native Version
Needs option of keeping the backlight on: This is a minor thing, and I overcome it by using S60SpotOn. Just putting an option there isn't that difficult of a feat.
Besides these, for the most part it's a very handy application, no S60 should be without one. Btw if the app is placed in the active standby, the whole icon fits now compared to the cropped icon of the java Google Maps.
Comments