Google Maps update lets you save maps for offline viewing.

Google has published a very interesting and useful update to its Maps app for Android that lets you save maps to your device for offline viewing. This is a treat that will help you save money, especially if you travel. All you need to do is connect to a WiFi spot, start Maps on your phone. Tap the context menu at the far right of the menu bar and select Make available offline. Navigate to the location you want on the map. While you do so, notice that the app gives you the estimated size of the map you're about to download. I had Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius, in file 0.1MB file. Tap Done and the map is downloaded to your phone for viewing at your convenience. Enjoy.

Download Maps on Google Play.

Fast Firefox mobile for Android released.

Firefox browser has finally found its way to Android 4 today and is available as a free download on Google Play. I now have three browsers on my Galaxy Nexus. At first sight, I can say that Firefox does load faster than Google Chrome and is visually more appealing. No need for a scientific approach to determine that. It works really well as stated in the release note. Check it out after the break.

Updated Facebook Messenger gets in-app notifications and more.

The latest update to Facebook Messenger contains some very interesting features including the ability to switch between conversations with in-app notifications. They show up whenever a friend sends a message in another conversation. Additionally, you may easily add friends of your friends to conversations. Not sure why I'd want to do that. Friends of my friends are not necessarily my friends. But it seems that Facebook wants you to friend about anyone on the planet.

The other features lets you see who's available when you start new conversation, share bigger photos, tap for full screen and pinch to zoom.

Other improvements:
- Faster app loading, navigating and sending
- More reliable push notifications
- Bug fixes.

Check out Google Play on your phone to get the update.

More details on Google Play.

Official Wimbledon 2012 app released.

It's that time of the year again where all eyes will be on Wimbledon 2012 tennis championships which starts on the 25th June to the 8th of July. The All England Lawn Tennis Club released an app for Android that will let you access the following features:
- Live scores
- Results
- Schedule of play
- Draws
- News
- Player profiles
- On demand video previews, highlights, features, interviews and golden moments
- Photos
- Live @ Wimbledon Radio - 3 channels: Daily coverage of the Championships and two channels dedicated to Centre Court and No.1 Court commentary of live match play.
- Find it - lets spectators locate facilities around the grounds at Wimbledon.


Of course the app is free to download. Wimbledon 2012 is certainly useful for those lucky enough to attend the championships as well as to those who cannot make it and can nonetheless follow the tournament on the go.


Download Wimbledon 2012 on Google Play.

Softmaker Office Mobile for Android reaches final beta.

Softmaker for Android is now out of beta. I just got an email saying that the final beta build is available as a free download for beta users. The latter can just use the product key they used when they registered to participate in the beta program.

According to the email I got "the final beta comes with improved, configurable toolbars, improved import/export of plain-text files, XLSM file support, and improvements to Dropbox and Evernote support".

The app is not yet available on Google play.

Download the final beta here.

 

Flipboard for Android out of beta; adds google+ and YouTube.

Flipboard, the now popular magazine app, is now available on Google Play. The app has been in beta mode and downloadable outside Google Play until a few days ago. The finished product now let's users access their Google Plus stream and YouTube videos.

If you haven't downloaded Flipboard yet, head over to Google play to get it. I almost forgot, Flipboard is free. Enjoy.

 

 

Google Chrome Beta updated.

Yesterday Google pushed a OTA update for Google Chrome Beta for Android. If you haven't installed it yet, go into My Apps in Google Play to do so. This update focuses more on stability and performance improvements. The log also mentions a minor reorganization of Settings options.

Learn more on Google Chrome blog.

Sync Manager for HTC One Series now available.

HTC has released a new Sync Manager software for it's series of HTC One devices: One X, One XL, One S, One V. Sync Manager is a free app for your computer that lets you sync and backup your contacts, calendar, pictures, bookmarks and documents from your phone to your computer. HTC Sync Manager will be handy to those who do not yet entrust their data to the Cloud. Note that this version of HTC Sync Manager works with the One series only. You can download another version for other HTC devices here.


Learn more about Sync Manager.

HTC publishes Android 4.0 update timeline.

HTC published the list of 17 devices that will be upgraded to Android 4.0 or Ice Cream Sandwich by August 2012. If you own one of the devices listed below, check out the time table below. Not all HTC devices will be upgraded though. Devices with 512MB ROM or less like the HTC ChaCha, Salsa Wildfire S, Explorer will not be upgraded to Android 4.0. Tablets also will remain on Honeycomb.


Check out the HTC's schedule list:


Device Schedule
DROID Incredible 2 by HTC  To be determined (by the end of August)
HTC Amaze 4G                  May-June
HTC Desire S                  June-July
HTC Desire HD                  July-August
HTC EVO 3D                          June-July
HTC EVO 4G+                  May-June
HTC EVO Design 4G          June-July
HTC Incredible S                  June-July
HTC Sensation                  March-June
HTC Sensation 4G          March-June
HTC Sensation XE          March-June
HTC Sensation XL          April-June
HTC Rezound                  June-July
HTC Rhyme                          June-July
HTC Thunderbolt                  July-August
HTC Velocity 4G                  March-June
HTC Vivid                          March-June


Source: HTC

Seesmic update brings enlarged photos in tweet & Facebook.

Seesmic posted another update today. Since I use it for Twitter only, I'll post the new features verbatim.

. Fixes to the Facebook login issue.
. Enlarged photos in Tweet and Facebook post details.
. Configure to hide/show avatars.
. Configure to show in absolute time.

Twitter only:
. View a favorite/star icon in timeline.
. View if "the user does (or does not) follow you" in profile details.
. #Hashtags are now included when replying.

Facebook only
. View a list of who "liked" a post.

Widget
. Disable/enable auto scrolling in the widget.

Download the update on Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.seesmic