Google has updated its Books app for Android with a host of new features that include translations, Google Maps integration, and in-text definitions. The updated Google Play Books app makes it easier for users to highlight and add notes to any text and also automatically syncs them across all devices.
However, one of the most interesting features on board the Books app is the new Places function. When users highlight any country, city, or geographical features within a text, the app now brings up a mini "info card" that displays the same location on Google Maps.
"When you come across an unfamiliar geographic location-a faraway city or distant mountain range-you can tap on the location to learn more about it," states the official Android blog.
This feature also provides users with the option to find more information about the location via Wikipedia or a normal Google search. Additionally, thanks to the Dictionary feature, when users chance across unfamiliar words whose meaning they wish to learn, they can simply tap or click on them to get the definition.
The app's Translation feature is for more adventurous readers and makes its way through books in non-native languages. Users can now easily translate words or phrases to and from a number of languages. The user will just need to select the text or word and use the button on the top action bar to select the preferred language.
As far as Highlighting and Notes are concerned, the app now lets users "highlight text and easily take notes". Additionally, since all the books are stored live in the cloud the app can sync the highlights and notes to a user's tablet and smartphone.
Additionally, a new sepia reading theme (apart from the current day and night themes), 2D sliding page turn animation, and a number of stability improvements are available.
What's more, Japanese users are in for a treat as Japanese books can be read in a vertical, right-to-left layout and the pages can now be flipped from right to left.
Google Play Books, currently, lets users read more than 4 million books on the go, and is available in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Korea and Japan.
