Google Maps 4.4 search for places

Google Maps for Android is a bit like Android itself. always changing and improving. Google have just released the latest update for Maps, version 4.4 and it's the 6th update the app has received in as many months. This particular update is all about finding things around you and it gives the user a new icon to use, "Places". Essentially 'Places' acts a bit like Yelp, allowing the user to find places around him and if you find that you are searching for the same sort of places again and again irrespective of your location then you can customise the search to load your own categories e.g. petrol station. That's all very well and good, but the update goes further by offering additional information like the opening and closing times of shops and directions to the place you've just searched using the compass. You'll need to be running Android 1.6 or later to take advantage of this update, but if so then you can grab it right now. BlackBerry users should expect to see this on their platform of choice in the near future too.