Update to Mobile Google Maps

Yesterday Google modified the hybrid feature on the full version of Google Maps, today Google updated their Mobile Maps app to include a somewhat new layout and a few features. The feature of most note would be the "My Location" option which works on phones that are unfortunate enough to not have built in GPS. The My Location feature uses cell towers to approximate your location, not quite GPS but it works pretty well. With a range of 500 meters to 5000 meters, depending on how dense the area is. So if you are lost in Wichita trying to find your brother-in-laws this may not help, but it is fun at the least. Oh and it won't eat your battery nearly as much as GPS will. If you have a Blackberry, a Nokia S60, or a WinMo device check out http://www.google.com/gmm.

Google's GDrive is almost ALive

The Wall Street Journal has recently reported that Google's mildly talked about online storeage system, GDrive, may be poised to become public in the next few months. This will excite some, if the storeage capacity comes up big. Google is likely to offer both free and paid services when GDrive is announced, which will match up well with its three main competitors. The names of these competitors shouldn't surprise you with Microsoft's SkyDrive, AOL's Xdrive and Apple's iDisk.

Google has been slamming all competition when introducing new products, and GDrive will likely it the mark again. Likely having a search function for uploaded files the largest factor will be how much space Google will make available. Skydrive, Microsoft's offering was just upped to 1GB of storeage for free, and offers no paid service while Apple's iDisk allows for 10GB of space if you fork over $99/year. This is a rare situation in which Microsoft is actually ahead of Google, however when it comes to size it seems Microsoft, unless they up their storeage capacity, may once again be made to look like kids at a cocktail party.

[via WSJ.com]

PayPal workaround for Apple Store

If you have ever tried to use your PayPal account to purchase the newest iPod then you know the Apple Store doesn't accept PayPal. Well now PayPal has made it possible. They have set up a method that creates a virtual Mastercard number that is linked to your PayPal account.

Simply go to PayPal, select 'Mac User?' and pick the Secure Card option. This will generate the CVMC, card number, and everything else you will need to get your tax-free Apple Store holiday frenzy on. Ohhh Yeeeeaaaah.

[via TUAW.com]

Verizon opens Network to "Any app, Any device"

This may or may not be a monumental announcement. In early 2008 Verizon says it plans on allowing devices that fit he minimum standards will be allowed to operate over its cherished network. Of course they haven't said what these minimum standards will be. Their President Lowell McAdam has created a $20 million lab that will validate the devices/apps. Mr. McAdam sees this as a watershed event in the 20 some years wireless systems have been operating. Verizon is not a partner of the Open Handset Alliance, Google's Android operation that bears a resemblance to this announcement.

This is certainly something to keep your eyes on, but until it is deployed and can be tested it will be hard to say if Mr. McAdam is accurate.

[via Verizon]

ZML.com: Movie downloads on the cheap

This may not be the most legal site out there. They are currently able to continue their business thanks to a very vague Russian copyright law. If Piratebay.org is too illegal for you and iTunes too expensive, then ZML.com might be for you. Curently you can download movies from a range of $1.99 - $4.99 which is fantastic.

If semi-legal is your thing and you don't mind throwing your Visa around somewhat nefarious sites, check out ZML.com and begin downloading DiVX encoded movies from The Godfather to The Simpsons Movie. ZML may not last long though, so get it while you can.

Pirate Bay: Still not afraid of Governments, Lawyers or Anyone else

We at Technofilic by no means agree with pirating software, but that doesn't mean we, like most Torrent users, haven't sat around in awe as The Pirate Bay thumbs its nose at everyone from Microsoft's legal team to Apple's. Back a few months ago TPB had their headquarters raided and several servers taken. With no evidence found against them it is no surpise they aren't too worried.

They should however worry that there seems to be no end in sight to the constant legal investigations of them. The newest charges about to be filed before the end of the year are of "facilitating copyright infringement". We just hope The Pirate Bay rakes in enough money to keep on facilitating while they fight a few neverending legal battles. Check out ArsTechnica.com for more information.

FCC Ok's Motorola Z6c worldphone for Verizon

It has bee slim-pickens if you are a world traveller and have somehow decided to stay loyal to the "In Network". Verizon seems to have been recently realizing this and have been making an earnest attempt at getting a few phones that work beyond the confines of North America. This newest creation has two separate GSM bands for when you find yourself in Asia or Europe. It of course also has a band for CDMA for regular old U.S. usage. Dissing MediaFLO, but packing the now standard 2.0 megapixel camera, a QVGA screen and slider form factor, we like the way it looks.

A few more questions we have may be answered soon, especially whether or not the Z6c will be available before the holidays.

[via EngadgetMobile.com]