I wrote something a little while ago on google maps.
You may know all this already, but I just did a copy and paste for those who don't know some of this.
Most of this is for 2.X phones only!
Most people don't even realize what google maps is capable of doing. 1st, if I were you, I would go into google maps, menu, more, Labs, scroll down and select My location and bubble buttons. Now when you search for something you can call them or navigate to them with one click. Now the good part. Lets say you want to find the nearest starbucks from where ever you are. This next step can be done from your home screen or while you are in google maps. Hold down the magnifying glass until the voice search window opens and say "map of starbucks". Google maps will automatically open and show you the closest starbucks to you. With the bubble buttons activated you will see a phone icon on the left and a navigate button on the right of the starbucks popup window. For more options, click in the center of the starbucks popup. From here you can read reviews on that starbucks. You can "share this place" (great for when you want to meet someone somewhere but they aren't too sure about where you are talking about). When you click on it, you have the option of sending sms, gmail, etc. They will get a link to a map that will show them where you want to meet. If it's a place you plan on calling often or even traveling to, I would click on "add as contact" It will then import the address and phone number to your contact list. "more information" will do just that. This will take you to the google local website where you can see all kinds of information about the place. Most companies will list the store hours, wifi availability, types of payment accepted, etc.
So that covers how to find something close to you. But, you can also find things that are not near you. If you say "map of starbucks" you get the closest starbucks to you. If you want to find something in another city, you would say "map of starbucks, naperville Illinois". Now you can see all the starbuck in Naperville.
Learn how to star items that you frequent. When you look something up and click on the popup window, you can star that location so that you can go back to it easily. In the right hand corner there is a greyed out star. Click it so that it lights up yellow. Now you can see all your starred items by going into maps, menu, more, starred items. I like to keep my home address in there so wherever I am I can always easily navigate home.
Another good search. Lets say you can't remember the name of a place that you want to call. You remember where it is, but can’t remember the name. In maps, zoom into where you think the place is, long press at the point where its located. A popup will come up that shows the address of where you just pressed. Click on the popup, then click on "what's nearby?". You should find what you are looking for in that list. When you find the name of the place, click on it to navigate to it, call it, store it, etc.
One problem with starred items, is that if your starred item is a physical address, it’s a little difficult to figure out how to name that star instead of just seeing the address. For example, you have Bob smith's address as 111 silver ln, madison wisconson. If you star his address, you will only see his address in the starred list. You wont see his name. If you go into google maps on your computer (not your phone). Log into google maps, type in the address of the place you want to star followed "(bob smith)". It would look like this in the search. 111 silver ln, madison, WI (Bob Smith). You have now named that location. Star it on google maps and it will be a starred item on your phone that has now been named Bob Smith.
Next I would learn how to create your own customized maps to carry with you on your phone. I would first go to the link below to learn how to create your maps. Watch the videos and follow the instructions to create your maps. Then, to access the maps you created on your phone, open up maps, menu, layers, more layers and then My Maps. There you will see all your maps that you have created.
Hope this helps people.
My Maps - Maps Help
