Google has updated Google Maps to prepare for the upcoming launch of Ice Cream Sandwich. The update’s changelog suggested the only change was related to reduced app storage size for devices with varying resolutions, but tucked away in the permissions list was NFC support, likely for the Android Beam feature that we saw demoed this past Tuesday at the Ice Cream Sandwich / Galaxy Nexus event. Read more about Android beam here. While the update won’t mean anything for anyone but Google employees with the Galaxy Nexus, we’re glad to see the feature will be ready once the phone and OS launches.
Android Phone, Google Maps Update Adds NFC Support For Upcoming Android 4.0â²s Android Beam Feature