Google is adding a good deal of the functionality from Google maps to Google Maps for Mobile. This includes the ability to access and interact with different layers like Traffic, My Maps, and Search layers at the same time.
“Layers make it easier and more useful to find and interact with geographic content, like public transit, traffic (with incidents!), local search results, Latitude friend locations, Wikipedia and more,” explains Google Mobile Software Engineer Jonathan Dixon. “You can also see your own My Maps content as a layer on Google Maps for mobile. And finally, multiple layers can be combined at the same time to give you a content-rich view of what’s around you.”
Dixon goes through some practical examples of how users can use the different layers from their phones while they’re on the go. He is a cyclist, so naturally, they are of great use to him.
According to Dixon, the My Maps feature was the fifth most requested feature from users on the Google Mobile Product Ideas page. Its addition should make a lot of people happy. It will make more people happy when the features become available on more phones though.
Right now, Google Maps for Mobile 3.2 is only available for Symbian S60 & Windows Mobile phones, but will be available for other platforms soon according to the company.
