Google is updating its Maps service with a dramatically different new interface. The new Google Maps is more visual - more tightly integrating photos and 3D renderings - and more personalized, making recommendations based on your search history, ratings, and friend reviews and ratings (if you're logged in, that is). An image carousel at the bottom of all search screens provides a visual way to explore and to drill down on information. Also, Google has cleaned up the search interface and placed it in an elegant box in the upper left of the screen. Read on for more about the new Google Maps. Image © Google

Most GPS sports apps and dedicated GPS devices place the bulk of their best training log and mapping features on synced, web-browser-based companion sites. The Cyclemeter iPhone app by Abvio takes a refreshingly different approach, putting all of your training data, interactive maps, route information and route history, training log history, and more right on your smartphone. Accomplishing all of that on an iPhone screen was a challenging task, but Cyclemeter comes through with a well-designed interface that's a pleasure to use. Add in real-time syncing with Twitter or Facebook, and the ability to link with a wireless Bluetooth heart rate monitor, and you have an impressive bike computing suite you can fit in a jersey pocket. Read on for the full Cyclemeter review. Image © Abvio

As part of its celebration of what will soon be the 50 billionth app downloaded from the App Store, Apple has named the all-time top 25 downloaded paid and free apps. Two GPS navigation apps made the lists, with MotionX GPS Drive taking 19th in the paid app category, and Google Maps taking 25th in the free category. Both apps are included in my top ten iPhone nav apps story and have been very popular with readers. Congratulations to MotionX and to Google. You didn't beat Angry Birds (#1 paid) or Facebook (#1 free) but it's an impressive accomplishment to be on the lists. Image © MotionX

Magellan has introduced a new SmartGPS system that combines a new dedicated car GPS device that works together with a SmartGPS smartphone app for Android, with an iPhone version to come out later this month. The SmartGPS system uses the phone's data connection to deliver fuel prices, traffic alerts, local weather and traffic camera alerts by PhantomALERT to the windshield-mount GPS. The system also provides "powerful POI search functionality with capability to send searched destinations to the SmartGPS device with one touch," states Magellan. The new windshield-mount SmartGPS car unit has a 5-inch screen, free lifetime map updates and traffic alerts, WiFi and Bluetooth, and lane assist (helps you select the correct lane on a multi-lane highway well before your exit). The new SmartGPS unit sells for $249, and the companion apps are free. One of my favorite features of the new SmartGPS is wireless sync. Magellan will also be selling premium versions of the smartphone nav apps that provide turn-by-turn directions. Image © Magellan