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Google has launched the first update to its stand-alone Google Maps app for iOS. Version 1.1 brings several improvements for iPhone and iPod touch users. Local search gets new icons to organize nearby results by category, such as post offices, bars, gas stations and the like.

This can speed up the search process if you're in a hurry, making the local search feature even more powerful and convenient. The other major upgrade is Google Contacts integration. If you're a Google account user, this means your contacts will be included in Google Maps search results.

The strength of your cellular signal can make or break a data connection or phone call. The iPhone is no different, and as iOS users already know the signal strength is displayed on the status bar in the upper left. You can use an app like Signal 2 to get more details about your signal and where it’s coming from.

Sound like too much information? Bars will give you more information about your signal while keeping things simple. All this tweak does is take the signal bars you’re already familiar with and make them better.

Mac users will already know that OS X has a reflective, animated application dock across one side of the screen. When programs are launched or need your attention, the icons bounce, and running applications are indicated with a light below the program icon. Why not add these great features to your jailbroken iOS device?

ActiveDock makes this all possible, along with a variety of settings to control behavior. The best part is that ActiveDock is fully compatible with two other iOS dock-related tweaks, Auxo and Zephyr. Besides adding the stylish reflection under the app icons, ActiveDock provides several other features.

Do you watch hours of video on your iOS device, such as recordings of lectures or how-to instructions? You can actually save time and still see all of the important information with the FastForward tweak. Just as it sounds, FastForward makes it possible to watch video at a faster rate on jailbroken iOS devices.

Once installed, you can select which apps to enable with FastForward and choose a playback speed. With a playback rate of 2.0, your videos will play at twice the normal speed and in half the time.

QuickShoot is one of those neat jailbreak tweaks that hides in plain sight, and performs a specific function to make your life easier. Sometimes taking a photo on the iPhone can involve too many steps. By the time you open the Camera app, adjust settings and snap a photo you could be missing the action.

This is where QuickShoot steps in to streamline things. With QuickShoot installed, all you have to do is tap the Camera icon on the home screen once, and your iOS device will snap a picture. A red badge will appear with “…” signaling that your photo is in the process of being taken, and of course you’ll hear the shutter release sound.