Google Maps Returns My Maps As My Places

New google My Places

Plamen Barzev, Nyagoslav Zhekov and Nikola Tsvetkov (you gotta love Local, bringing users from all over the world together) all alerted me during the early hours of the morning that Google Maps has replaced the My Maps with the apparently very useful My Places. My Places is a personalized view of every review AND map that a Google user has created.
 


 
The ability to search My Maps had disappeared earlier in the year and it seemed to me at least, along with the removal of user generated Maps from Places, that Google was minimizing the apparent value of user created geo-content.

This new upgrade puts user generated geo content back into a very visible spot and seems to offer a well organized historical view of all of a given users most important Places over time whether reviewed or pinned on a map. The interface is spiffy and the organization clean and neat.

Google isn’t just adding the feature on the QT. They are making it very clear that a new feature exists and are alerting visitors to Maps about its existence. Very cool.

Garmin® Ltd. Announces Signing of Agreement To Acquire Navigon® AG

Garmin Ltd. and Navigon AG announced today that Garmin Ltd. and the shareholders of Navigon AG have signed an agreement for a subsidiary of Garmin to acquire privately-held navigation provider Navigon AG (“Navigon”).

“This acquisition is a great complement to Garmin’s existing automotive and mobile business.  Navigon has invested significantly in the European automotive OEM business, and we feel that we can rapidly expand our automotive OEM footprint and capabilities through this transaction,” said Cliff Pemble, Garmin’s president and COO.  “With Navigon, we are also acquiring one of the top-selling navigation applications for the iPhone and Android platforms – something that we expect will help drive revenue for the combined company going forward.  Combining Navigon’s and Garmin’s strengths also improves our competitiveness and standing, particularly in Europe.”
 


 

Navigon is headquartered in Germany.  In addition to its automotive OEM and navigation application for smartphones, the company has an estimated seven percent share in portable navigation devices (PNDs) in Europe.  In regards to PNDs, Navigon’s products are known for their compelling design, performance, and innovative software features.“We look forward to sharing expertise, technologies, and relationships between Navigon and Garmin in order to serve more customers, expand product offerings, and lead the market in hardware and software innovation,” said Egon Minar, CEO of Navigon.  “Our two companies each bring complementary strengths to the table, but what we share is a passion for customer satisfaction through innovation.”

Navigon will operate as a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd.  The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Financial terms of the transaction will not be released.
Garmin provides a broad range of in-vehicle electronics for the automotive industry, including automotive grade infotainment and telematics systems, navigation software, and integrated portable navigation systems.

Since its inception in 1989, Garmin has delivered 85 million GPS enabled devices – far more than any other navigation provider.  Garmin’s market breadth in the GPS industry is second to none, having developed innovative products and established a leadership position in each of the markets it serves, including automotive, aviation, marine, fitness, outdoor recreation, tracking, and wireless applications.

Garmin: Group therapy

Garmin hosted a group ride last night for the women training for the upcoming WIN for KC Women’s Triathlon. Garmin is the official training partner for this popular local event that welcomes experienced and beginner triathletes. And popular may be an understatement. This year’s race sold out in 10 days and will welcome a field of 1,000 athletes. As part of our sponsorship, Garmin provides opportunities for the participants to take our devices for a test ride and later see their data at Garmin Connect. At last night’s ride, our guests got to try out the multi-talented Forerunner 310XT — our waterproof multisport watch that accurately tracks time, distance, pace, elevation and heart rate (optional) for running and cycling. It also estimates open water swim distance and average speed. Not to mention the feature favored by many — wireless uploads. Jen, an experienced local triathlete who has joined our group rides in the past, said she loves walking in the door after a workout, hearing the beep from her computer and knowing her data’s already been sent to Garmin Connect so she can review it and share it on her own time.


If there’s a triathlon in your future, consider doing some group therapy of your own. If you don’t belong to a triathlon club, connect with other athletes doing the same event and organize group rides or brick workouts. And should one of your training partners skip a workout, share your data from Garmin Connect so they know what they missed!