The Google Maps application for Android has just been updated to version 5.3. It now brings some previously computer-exclusive stuff like location history or in other words, where you have been to and how much time you have spent there.

The Google Maps app is no longer just a digital map of the world. Its now a mapping service slash SatNav app with the ability to check you in at home, work and all sorts of places. And it even lets you give reviews to places, add specific things you like about a place. And all this is posted to the virtual profile of the place for everyone to see. Google is essentially integrating the Places experience into Maps.

When you want to give a restaurant, café, bank or any type of place a review you can opt to just give it a rating you have the choice of 5 stars. Or you can add a specific note, saying what you like or dislike about it. Also you can add a specific thing you liked or disliked. Like, say, the Margherita in a pizza joint.

The Facebook app for iOS  has been updated to version 3.4. It brings along the Map View for the Places section, a Check-in function for events and places and even a un-friend option straight from your device.

Today it seems a lot of emphasis is being put on check-in functionality on our handhelds. Earlier it was the Google Maps for Android, now this. Well back to the story at hand. You can now use the Google Maps, straight from your Facebook app on the iPhone and choose a place to check-in nearby to you. This can, then, be seen by your Facebook buddies.

People are flocking in to download Angry Birds Rio 10 million did in the first 10 days since the game launched  Thats an impressive number indeed. Rovio is going all out with cross promotion, they are even going to put out a new Rio themed wallpaper out every day.

Angry Birds Rio is available for iOS and Android iPhone and iPod users will can grab it for $0.99 or for $2.99 if they have an iPad. Android owners can get it from two places the Android Market or from the Amazon Appstore. The 10 million number takes into account both the iOS and the Android version and adds to the 100 million or so downloads of the game franchise in total.

10 in 10:-) Angry Birds Rio breaking all records. A massive thanks to all our fans!!!

1 April 2011 4:32 pm via Twitter for iPad

@RovioMobile

Angry Birds

It may be April Fool day, but Radio Shack looks to be speaking the truth with one of their latest tweets regarding the upcoming T-Mobile Sidekick 4G. If you have been waiting for the Sidekick to get a breath of new life, then you will not have to wait much longer, as Radio Shack claims that the new handset will be available on April 20th.

Its not surprising that many people were a bit skeptical when they heard Samsung would be creating the next generation Sidekick, but the device looks solid. Samsung kept the traditional Sidekick aesthetics, brought the specs up to that of a mid-ranged/standard smartphone, added in some HSPA+, and let Android run the show. Doing this makes the new Sidekick a useable smartphone by giving it access to the Android Market, while retaining the look and feel of the original product line.

Google is apparently working on a facial recognition app that would pull up personal information. The software has already been used in their Picasa web photo service to tag friends and family in various albums, and may eventually find its way into Goggles to link to Profiles.

Now, this story has seen a bit a of controversy, as Google has denied the project, but the source, CNN, stands by it. The privacy concerns are obviously huge, since the target of the facial recognition app may not have much say in the matter, and just have to be prudent about how much personal information they post online. Google has apparently been very cautious about how they approach this product, and may make the whole thing opt-in, so only people who explicitly sign on will be able to be recognized.