Google Mobile App

The latest Google Maps update for Android smartphones is set to be our Summer traveling savior. Google Maps can now be downloaded for offline viewing, perfect for those times when a phone loses a data signal or while abroad and without a foreign data plan.

While you still have a WiFi connection, look up the Google Places page of your desired location (Empire State Building, Eiffel Tower, etc.), click "More" for the menu and then select "Download map area." A 10-mile radius map of the selected location will download to your mobile device. While the map will give you all the basics like landmark and street names when offline, an Internet connection is necessary for searching for directions within the map. Still, it's an invaluable resource when exploring new cities this Summer.

Even if you've synced up your iPhone with GoogleSync and receive push emails to your handset, this new feature from Google Mobile will come in handy for those emails and calendar events you just don't want to miss. Your Google Mobile App now provides push notifications to your iPhone, alerting you when you've received a new email in Gmail, or have an upcoming Google Calendar appointment.

The notification comes in the form of a pop-up, like you'd normally see from a text message, news alert, or other app push notification to help keep you on top of your mobile game. To activate this new feature, first update your app from iTunes, then head to Settings > Google Account to turn on your notifications for both Gmail and Google Calendar. You can even set times to which your alerts will sound, like during the business day only for example, so you can get some peace and quiet after hours.

That's not the only upgrade in the updated Google Mobile app, though. Find out how Google made search a lot easier after the break.

• It's time to get those iPod Touchs and iPhones updated with the new OS 3.0 update! — The Boy Genius Report
• Apple has put a temporary hold on iPhone 3G S shipments. — Gizmodo
• TweetDeck for the iPhone has officially launched. — Mashable
• There's a new Google Mobile App available for the BlackBerry. — RIMarkable
• The Pack Windbreaker boasts 17 pockets for all your gadgets and trinkets.— Boing Boing Gadgets
• Video-game consoles are being used by millions to watch movies and TV shows. — Kotaku
• CrunchGear offers up their Father's Day gift suggestions. — CrunchGear