Late last week, we heard about a new update Google had prepared for the Android version of Maps, supposedly including a number of bugfixes as well as delivering some battery savings when using the app with location-related features like Latitude enabled. We’re now learning that there’s a little more to the update than was initially apparent, with the addition of a new Latitude leaderboard system.

With the latest Maps, when you check-in at a location using Latitude, you’ll be able to see the current rankings of other Google+ users who have also checked-in at that location previously.

At the moment, this feature feels a little rushed. For instance, you have to check-in somewhere yourself in order to view the leaderboard in the first place. Google’s also going to have to focus more on its Foursquare-like reward system for “mayors” or other users who frequent an establishment if it really wants to encourage people to go through the trouble of checking-in. Still, it looks like a nice framework is in place, so we’re curious to see where Google goes with its location services from here.

Source: Android World (Google Translate)

Via: Engadget