Daily Dispatch: MapQuest app gets spoken directions; YouTube launches 'Leanback'

Combing through hundreds of blog posts and news articles daily, Dirk Klingner, our technology-trend watcher, sifts through the noise to bring you the tech news most important to consumers. If you have a tip on a story you want to share, leave a comment below.

MapQuest 4 Mobile Gets Spoken Directions, Background Location (ReadWriteWeb)

...The voice used in the app was quite understandable and gave not just the street name, but the entire direction, out loud. In addition to speaking the directions, the app also re-routes the directions automatically if you miss a turn - another must have for an in-car GPS system.

YouTube's ‘Leanback' Wants to Friend Your Television Remote (Wired)

...But clearly, YouTube has your TV set in mind with this high-definition version of the service, designed for use with any remote control. The YouTube Leanback beta works with a regular QWERTY computer keyboard, but other than the search function, the interface uses only five buttons: the arrow keys and the enter key.

Nexus One was Google's First Mobile Phone and also their Last (digital inspiration)

...Google is sort of moving away from the phone hardware business to focus all their attention on the software [Android] front. This was confirmed by Google's Eric Schmidt himself in an online interview...

PayPal is testing a mobile version of its Express Checkout service. (internet Retailer)

...The mobile payments service works on iPhones and handsets that use the Android 2.0 operating system. Along with Buy.com, No. 32 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide, the service also will be tested by Nike Inc. before PayPal ends the beta phase for Mobile Express Checkout, Zielke says.

Lighter side: New Apple Friend Bar Gives Customers Someone to Talk at about Mac Products (Onion News Network)

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