Google Maps for BlackBerry has just been blasted with what I daresay is a massive update. First up is searching by voice, a feature that has been live on Android since the summer; it allows you to speak a query while holding down the BlackBerry’s call key, which is processed by Google’s relatively accurate speech recognition software and returned with the search results. Buzz, Google’s attempt at a microblogging/media sharing/social networking somethingerother will also be available on BlackBerry thanks to Maps now. While I’m not entirely sold on the idea of Buzz, I do think this is the most elegant way of sharing geolocated status messages to date, and will be trying it more now that it’s on BlackBerry.
Next are starred and saved searches, also already available on Android. This allows you to do the lion’s share of lookups on a desktop, and so long as you’re logged onto both phone and PC, you’ll be able to quickly access not only the stuff you had looked up previously elsewhere, but also the particular items you had starred for future reference. This is nice, since I wasn’t entirely sold on how the My Maps layer was integrated awhile back – it needed some more shortcuts.
Finally, Labs are now enabled, so you can check out experimental features such as the terrain layer. Searching for businesses close to a particular location, either your own or elsewhere on the map, can be handy for orienting you, or finding a place whose location you only have a vague idea about. Also, if you find some data is inaccurate, as is occasionally the case, you can now report it from your BlackBerry.
There are still a few things I would like to see, like cycling directions, but damn if I’m not happy with this update. Head to m.google.com/maps on your BlackBerry to get updated.