New Google Maps update brings completely revamped UI, 5-star rating system, offers, and more

Fresh out of Google I/O 2013, the “Big G” announced that they’re giving Google Maps a completely fresh new redesign, coming soon to both the desktop and Android devices. Let’s check out all the new goodies we can look forward to when it launches in the coming weeks.

First off, the user interface has been given a complete overhaul, built from the ground up with a much more clean and intuitive layout. Google describes the interface as the map being the UI itself, and that’s essentially what they’ve done. Full screen maps, with simple controls hovering over maps, with the search bar always prevalent.

Special “offers” will available directly from a searched business listing, with Google mentioning only a few bigger name retailers signing up for this feature at launch, but many more coming in the future. Speaking of businesses, Google has also implemented a new 5-star rating system for users to rate their favorite restaurants, places, and/or businesses. And while reading reviews from ordinary folk can be fun, if you want a more expert opinion, Zagat scores can also be filtered for searched businesses as well.

Google Maps users will also have the benefit of live coverage for traffic and transit incidents. If an accident happens while you’re already en route to a location, Maps and Navigation will feature dynamic rerouting, navigating you to a quicker route when one is available. Now that’s innovation.

Tablet users searching for interesting stuff to do in a new area can use Maps to find interesting places to eat, drink, shop, play, and sleep. A new “Explore” option available allowing users to search by interest or activity.

This all new Maps experience isn’t exclusive for Android users either. Google went back to the drawing board with the web version of Google Maps, offering all the benefits we detailed here in the Android release (and more). Both versions of Google Maps will be available for everyone starting sometime this summer and you can even request an invite to test the new Google Maps on your desktop by visiting the link right after the video below.

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Don’t worry, Hangouts will soon replace Google+ Messenger

There were a lot of… lets just call ‘em optimistic Android users out there PO’d to find that — contrary to rumors — Google’s all new messaging service, Google+ Hangouts, didn’t do much to unify anything. Sure, now you can send picture messages through Google Talk Hangouts, but with Google+ messages still being sent through Google+ Messenger, not to mention SMS messages still being handled by the native text messaging app — just what the heck did Google unify? Slow down there, guys. At least one of those issues is being addressed in the very near future.

Confirmed: SMS support is coming to Google Hangouts soon

Unfortunately she only mentioned the features would be “coming soon,” but indulged to us that it was the most requested feature thus far. We imagine that sort of demand isn’t going to be taken lightly by Google so we’re hopeful the software company won’t drag its feet on the update. Now all we have to do is wait. In the meantime, why not get your family and friends briefed on the all new Hangouts app? The sooner you get everyone onto the new goods, the better. Have fun!

Latest Google Play Music update doesn’t support Nexus Q, and it probably never will again

which brings us All Access, does not support the media streaming Orb. That much was confirmed by those who tried (and failed) to use the app with the device after the latest update. If you needed further confirmation, though, a Googler has flat-out confirmed it.

A liaison named Paul responded to questions regarding the suddenly broken support with the following:

This is a very interesting statement. It’s carefully crafted to stay away from any suggestion support may ever return. And whether or not it was intentional, that last sentence gives off the “you got it for free, so we really don’t care at this point” feeling. I’m not saying that’s how Google feels internally, but it feels like they really are laying this thing to rest.

The technical support team was supposedly working on some of the device’s biggest bugs in regards to audio playback, with the biggest being its tendency to automatically shut down after a short time. Paul led the community on in his messages, assuring everyone that the team was “aware” of the problems. Well, little did those Nexus Q owners know that the latest update would not only not address the issue, but completely break all Google Play Music support.

Paul’s message gives no indication that support will ever return, unfortunately. We’ll be trying to see if we can work up a more pointed statement from Google on the manner. You might note that those who pre-ordered the Nexus Q eventually got their money back. It’s true — Google never officially accepted money for what has become an absolutely travesty.

But there are plenty of people who bought this thing on eBay and have found their money to be wasted by now. Sure, Google doesn’t really have any obligation to continue supporting the Nexus Q as it wasn’t the one to sell those devices on eBay, but we’d like to believe the “don’t be evil” company won’t give up on it that easily.

Google Glass gets Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, CNN and more

Google has just made a couple of key announcements in its Developing for Glass session at Google IO. For starters, developers will be happy to know that the Glass Developer Kit — otherwise known as the GDK — has been officially announced. The GDK will come with an updated Mirror API set. Currently, developers are only able to develop apps with online access. All of that is changing.

It’s hard to imagine exactly how these apps work without Glass sitting on your own nose, but perhaps these screenshots will give you a better idea of what to expect. Stay tuned to Phandroid as we continue to comb the Google IO trail for more exciting updates and announcements.

AT&T blocking Hangouts video over cellular (and how to bypass it with root)

It’s nothing new from Ma Bell — they put the same clamps on iPhone’s FaceTime feature when it first came out. You might be relieved to know that the restriction was eventually lifted. While we await word from AT&T on whether or not they’ll do the same for Android, you’re probably wondering how you can get past this nuisance yourself. Thankfully, there’s a way.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mega, S4 Mini, and S4 active tipped in Samsung WatchOn update

The former, the Galaxy S4 Mega, sounds like it could be a stretched out version of the Samsung Galaxy S4. We’re thinking it could be entering Galaxy Note 2 territory at 5.5 inches (without S Pen, of course), or perhaps beyond that if it’s looking to emulate the current 5.8 inch or 6.3 inch Galaxy Mega models. There’s no way to tell, though, as the device has only been mentioned in passing up to this point.

The other two devices, the Galaxy S4 Mini and Galaxy S4 Active, are a bit more familiar. The former is said to not only be a smaller version of the Galaxy S4 in size, but also weaker in spec. We’re expecting a 1.6GHz Exynos 5210 dual-core chipset, and a 4.3 inch qhD (960 x 540) display. The Active, on the other hand, will apparently be a metal-sporting version of the handset that we already know and love.

The changelog for the WatchOn app has since been, well, changed to remove such references, but we have a feeling this isn’t the last time we’ve heard of any of these devices.