How to share directions in Google Maps for Android

You've always been able to share a specific location, or even your own location, on Google Maps — but as of version 9.3 of the app you can now share point to point directions.



 The process is extremely simple, and gives you step-by-step text directions that can be read by anyone on any device, whether they use Google Maps or not. And though most folks with smartphones sharing location information to another smartphone user will be better off sharing a proper Maps location, this is how you can share basic directions — read along.
In order to share step-by-step directions from one place to another, simply put the start and end points into the Google Maps app, choose a mode of transportation and a route, and then instead of hitting the navigation button press the menu button (top right corner). Now behind the button along with the toggles for traffic, you'll see an option for Share directions.

Tap the Share directions button and you'll be able to share out the list of directions to any app that can handle text. For example you may want to send the direction list to Gmail, Evernote or maybe just your SMS app of choice. Choose the app you want to send to, and the app will take in a numbered list of directions showing the start and end points you selected, the travel time and distance, followed by the steps and a goo.gl short link to the directions on the web.

For most folks it'll still be easier to share a location to someone and have them navigate from a specific point they want, but if you need basic step-by-step directions from pre-determined points the latest version of Maps has you covered.

The basics of Google Maps

Using Google Maps offline

Share directions in Google Maps

Download: Google Maps on Google Play

Verizon Wireless swaps CEOS, John Stratton now in charge

Big Red has a new chief, with John Stratton replacing Dan Mead as CEO of Verizon Wireless. Stratton comes from within Verizon, having previously served as the company's President of Global Enterprise and Consumer Wireline. Mead will stay with Verizon to oversee the sale of the company's wireline assets, and then plans to retire. Verizon Wireless is still a subsidiary of Verizon Communications, so Stratton will report to the parent company's CEO Lowell McAdam.

Mead held the role of Verizon Wireless CEO starting in 2010, making him the longest-tenured active CEO of the major carriers in the US. Outspoken T-Mobile CEO John Legere now takes that position, having taken leadership of his carrier in 2012.

Source: SEC; Via: FierceWireless

These are the Android devices that support Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0

We're still in the early days of Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0 technology, which gives an extra boost of charging on the front end and then slows things down to finish the job.

  But already we've got a number of Android smartphones and even a couple tablets that support the new technology. This is going to be a big deal in 2015, especially as there are so many phones that don't have removable batteries. And it's an even bigger deal in the car, as a 20-minute drive can mean you get a lot more juice in the same amount of time.

And the list of phones that support Qualcomm's Quick Charge standard are growing. A number of devices released in 2014 already support it, and we'll see even more as new devices are released in 2015.

We'll keep this list updated as more are announced. But here, now, are the phones and tablets that are supported by Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0:

U.S.-specific devices

HTC Desire EYE
HTC One M8
HTC One Remix (Verizon Mini 2)
Moto X 2014
Motorola Droid Turbo
Nexus 6
Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet
Sony Xperia Z3
Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
Fujitsu Arrows NX
HTC Butterfly 2
Kyocera URBANO L03
Moto Maxx
Panasonic CM-1
Samsung GALAXY S4 (Japan)
Sharp AQUOS Pad
Sharp Aquos Tab
Sharp AQUOS Zeta
Sony Xperia Z2 (Japan)
Xiaomi Mi3
Xiaomi Mi4
YOTAPHONE 2
Xiaomi Mi Note

Yahoo’s Aviate Launcher updated with new Search functionality

Yahoo has just pushed out a new update to their Aviate Launcher that adds a pretty convenient feature to the app. The feature is called Search on Aviate, and it lets you search for apps, contacts and web search results directly from your home screen. Prior to the update, searching for web results would force you to open a browser or head to the Yahoo app to get some answers. Now the information can be accessed right on your home screen via a search box, similar to the Google Search bar that comes stock on Android devices. To get the most recent update, you must be running Android 4.0 or higher for the Search box to appear on your home screen.



Search on Aviate is now available in over 70 markets where Yahoo Search is available. Additionally, the Aviate team has thrown in some bug fixes with the update, so the app should run a bit smoother than before. We’re sure Aviate users around the world will welcome these changes. If you have yet to grab the update, head to the Google Play Store link below.

HTC anticipates the arrival of Lollipop update for the Verizon One M8 in early March

Just a few weeks ago, HTC announced that the update to Lollipop wouldn’t make its way to most One M7 and M8 owners within the company’s 90-day guarantee. Even though HTC had good reason to delay the update, this still discouraged many users hoping to try out the latest and greatest software in a timely fashion. But that didn’t stop the company from rolling out the Lollipop update to multiple M8 handsets only days after that announcement. We’ve seen the T-Mobile, Unlocked, Developer Edition, GPe and certain European variants get the update, and now it will soon be Verizon’s turn.

Mo Versi, HTC‘s Product Manager, took to Twitter to respond to a user’s inquiry on the Verizon HTC One M8 Lollipop update. In response, Versi told the user that the Verizon M8 Lollipop update is “in the lab,” and that the company is expecting approval for the update in the first week of March. We don’t have an exact date as to when the update will roll out, but at least now we have a pretty reliable timeframe.

Verizon may not be the quickest carrier with software updates, and HTC may have missed their 90-day guarantee, but now we know the company is working hard on the update. If you have a Verizon HTC One M8, you may want to start checking for a software update in the coming weeks. Head to Settings>Software update>Check new.




VIA:PHANDROID
SOURCE:MO VERSI (TWITTER)

Facebook is working on VR apps

Facebook made it pretty clear that it had big plans for virtual reality when it purchased Oculus VR for $2 billion last year. Chris Cox, Chief Product Offer at Facebook, has announced that the company has begun working on apps for VR, but wouldn’t disclose exactly what was being worked on.

Despite a lack of fine details, Cox said that he envisioned apps that would allow users to share their current environment with other people, something that he believes could become the norm for social media in the future. Oculus and Samsung have already shown off some unique narrative VR experiences at the Sundance Film Festival this year, but developing this into a real-time experience is a bigger technological challenge. Furthermore, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg already announced plans to integrate Oculus’ VR technology into the core social experience, allowing users to share “entire experiences and adventures” together online.

However, when asked about how long it might be before we can try out Facebook’s virtual reality experiences, Cox replied that it would be “a while” yet. Not to mention that virtual reality handsets aren’t common pieces of technology available in everyone household yet either.

Do you see any potential in virtual reality based social media?

Newly announced BenQ F52 packs a Snapdragon 810 and 3GB RAM

BenQ is not a name that we think of when it comes to smartphones, and honestly the Taiwanese company isn’t even that well known of a brand when it comes to its primary market: monitors and accessories. That said, it seems that BenQ is hoping to change up its reputation a bit with the introduction of the BenQ F52.

This isn’t BenQ’s first rodeo when it comes to smartphones, though the majority of their devices have been pretty much on the low to mid-range side of the game. The F52 takes things much further upscale, offering up a Snapdragon 810 octa-core CPU with 3GB RAM. The display isn’t a QHD monster, but it is still a respectable 5.2-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 (424 ppi). While the full list of specifications have yet to be revealed, we can say that the phone is said to offer an 8MP front cam and a 13MP rear cam. It is also running Android 5.0 Lollipop, though it seems to have at least some OEM-specific tweaks and a bunch of apps from Cheetah Mobile, due to their partnership with the Chinese app developer.

Judging by BenQ’s past with their limited smartphone offerings, it is likely that the phone will largely be targeted at the Asian market. We expect to learn more about the device (and its price tag) at MWC 2015, where it will be formally outed alongside two new mid-range handsets, the B50 and B502.What do you think, if pricing is right and the phone arrived in your own regional backyard, would you consider giving BenQ’s F52 a chance?

VIA:PHONE ARENA
SOURCE:SOGI