As reported on Boy Genius Report

Google Maps Mobile is probably Google’s most actively developed mobile application. It seems like there are new versions popping up for one platform or another every couple of weeks these days. In the past few months for example, Google has issued a native S60 version updated several times, various versions that can make use of internal GPS, versions that can integrate with device phonebooks and Nokia Maps, cell-based location, etc. For the most recent feature addition, Google has decided to implement a bit of voice recognition. Sweet! A new version of Google Maps Mobile has been made available for the US BlackBerry Pearl 8110, 8120 and 8130 that allows users to speak their search criteria rather than type it. Voice search uses the same voice recognition engine as GOOG-411, Google’s free information service, so we know the accuracy will be spot on. Using pretty much couldn’t be easier:

1. Press “0? to center the map view around your location
2. Press the left-side key and hold it while you say the name or type of business you’re looking for (for example, “pizza”)
3. When you’re done speaking, release the left-side key, and our voice recognition technology will figure out your request and find the business you’ve been looking for, no typing needed.

These days there’s a pretty good chance that the rest of your BlackBerry-toting friends make fun of you from time to time because you’re still carrying a Pearl. Opportunities might be few and far between, but here’s a good chance to show them a little something they can’t have quite yet. Hit http://www.google.com/gmm from your Pearl to snag the latest build.

As reported on PC World

Google has signed a deal with digital-map maker Tele Atlas which allows Google to use the firm’s map data on a host of devices including cellphones and gadgets based the much anticipated Android operating system. Under the terms of the 5-year deal Google will also continue to use Tele Atlas mapping data on a host of Google services such as Google Maps and Google Earth.

Tele Atlas owns GPS device maker TomTom which assures a cozy relationship between Google and TomTom. Under the terms of the deal Google has agreed to send end-user mapping data back to Tele Atlas when it concludes user edits to maps. This, one would hope, would be a very efficient way for end-users help both Google and Tele Atlas to more accurately update maps with road closures and other type of mapping information.

This Wiki style of map making by using user edits has already been a tremendous help to both Google maps and TomTom devises through the Map Share feature, however now edits made on one map system will be carried over to the other. It’s possible now that by sharing the edited maps between TomTom and Google maps it could create the most accurate road maps around. And Tele Atlas wouldn’t even need to do any additional research to create those maps.