PC Tech World: countries

Showing posts with label countries. Show all posts

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Google brings offline maps back to Android, kind of (Update: More countries get navigation too)

Google brings offline maps back, kind of

When Google released a new version of Google Maps for Android yesterday, it was quickly discovered that offline mapping support had been removed. You could kind of turn it back on by typing "OK Maps" into the app's search field, but the lack of a dedicated button had users up in arms. Today, Google is announcing that it's adding a "Make this map area available offline" button and that it's rolling out globally later today. There's also a new clickable item in the sidebar called "Where's Latitude?" that'll remind you the service is shutting down on August 9th. Despite these changes, we still can't help but compare the app to Nokia's Here Maps for Windows Phone, which puts particular focus on offline navigation.

Update: According to Android Police, a new button isn't the only new thing in Google Maps. Navigation support has been added to an additional 19 countries, including Taiwan and Thailand.

Source: Google Maps (Google Plus), Android Police

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface RT now shipping in more countries

Microsoft's Surface Pro and RT are striking out to more far flung corners of the globe. Redmond just announced this morning that its two Windows 8 tablets will be made available to even more markets, with the Surface RT being the first to branch out, shipping on April 25th to Malaysia and then soon after to Mexico, Korea and Thailand by end May / early June. When it finally hits that early summer release window, the Surface RT will be accessible to a total of 29 markets globally. As for its older sibling, the feature-packed Surface Pro, that angular slate's set to expand beyond its current limited availability (U.S., Canada and China) to 19 additional markets across Europe (including the UK), Asia and Oceania by the end of next month. And if you've been searching high and low for a 128GB Surface Pro to no avail, chin up, as Microsoft's taken note of your demand and is working with retailers to keep that model "consistently in stock."

Source: Microsoft Surface blog

Monday, January 28, 2013

Samsung expects Music Hub to reach competitors' devices, more countries

Samsung Music Hub to reach other companies' devices, more countries

Samsung's Music Hub has only had a comparatively small reach to date, delivering tunes to seven countries (six with scan-and-match) and just a handful of devices. Senior VP of Media Services TJ Kang expects the audio service to broaden its horizons -- he tells The Next Web that Samsung wants to widen access to rivals' gear as well. There's no convenient timetable to put on the calendar, but the expansion is a significant move for a service that's frequently seen as more of a brand-specific checklist feature than a full competitor with the likes of Google Music or iTunes. Plans for Samsung's own devices are more definite, Kang says. Music Hub is coming to more countries in 2013, as long as licensing deals work out, and further device support (including the non-mobile variety) will depend on flagship hardware releases scattered throughout the year. No matter where Media Hub heads next, it's safe to presume that it will be more than just a nice bonus in the near future.

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