Skobbler has had some success in the mobile mapping market, thanks in part to iOS’s historical first-party weakness in the area. But, with Apple offering its own solution and Google breaking Maps free from the OS-update chains, it’s facing a more difficult landscape in which to make its mark. So it only makes sense to beef up its offerings on other platforms, and Google-fans are reaping the benefits. An update to Skobbler’s Android app is finally adding the turn-by-turn directions and offline maps, which have been offered on the iOS edition for sometime. The full version has a starting price of just $1 (with one free map download), and the company is even offering a free light version for those who aren’t sure they want to part ways with a Washington (or a Sacagawea) just yet.

Interestingly, the update is actually an entirely new app called GPS Navigation & Maps +offline, though existing users of ForeverMap 2 will be able to upgrade for free. Navigation & Maps also makes the move to OpenStreetMap to provide data, which has both its problems and its perks. Going open source means that Skobbler can undercut competitors like TomTom and Navigon, but there are lingering questions about the accuracy of the database. You’ll find both the full version and the 14-day trial light edition at the source links if you’re looking for an alternative to Google Maps.

Filed under: Software, Mobile

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Source: GPS Navigation & Maps +offline (Google Play), GPS Navigation & Maps – light (Google Play)

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Skobbler updates Android app with turn-by-turn navigation and offline maps, offers free light option

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it’s easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don’t escape without notice, we’ve gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile

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Refresh Roundup: week of April 8th, 2013

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — As soon as Google Maps Street View was rolled out in Lithuania earlier this year, tax authorities were ready.

More here:
Lithuania taxman uses Google Maps to find dodgers

As T-Mobile prepares to officially offer the iPhone for the first time, it’s trying to pump up the lure with a trade-in offer for owners of the 4 and 4S models. Available through mid-June, the promotion lets iPhone 4 and 4S owners trade in their current device for an AWS HSPA+ friendly iPhone 5 for no money upfront (with monthly payments) under its new no-contract Simple Choice Plans. Additionally, depending on the condition of the hardware being traded in, customers can get a credit of up to $120 to be used against those payments (knocking it down to $15 from $20, for example) their usual bill or accessories. If last month’s colorful presentation wasn’t enough to pull you to T-Mobile from another carrier, does this new offer sweeten the deal enough? A full breakdown follows below in the press release, sales start Friday.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, T-Mobile

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Source: T-Mobile

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T-Mobile trade-in offer drops iPhone 5 upfront price to $0 for 4, 4S owners

Following the trend of everything accentuating its connection to the “cloud,” Boxee has rebranded its new box as the Boxee Cloud DVR. GigaOm reports the company made the shift to emphasize its DVR features as a differentiator from other $99 set-tops like those offered by Roku and Apple. Other than the name change and a website redesign, one other new tack is a free “Basic” service package. Buyers still get the “All-access” $10 service tier free for a month upfront on a trial basis, which has unlimited storage and playback across different devices. Once that runs out however, they can opt for basic service where cloud-stored DVR recordings are limited to 5 hours of monthly playback on the box itself and expire after 90 days. While the DVR service’s availability is still limited to eight markets, the plan is to expand to 26 by the end of this year. Once it rolls out to more areas and the DVR features come out of beta, we’ll see if buyers are ready to give this second attempt at blending online and OTA video a shot.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Via: GigaOm

Source: Boxee.tv

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Boxee TV becomes Boxee Cloud DVR, adds free ‘Basic’ DVR service