Mountain View, California-based Google Inc. announced today on the Official Google Mobile Blog the introduction of version 5.2 of Google Maps for Android, which has been revamped with a few new features such as the ability to post Google Hotpot ratings to Twitter from an Android-powered device using the Hotpot widget.

In addition, Google states that Google Latitude users can now ping their friends nearby and ask them to check-in at a place in order to rendezvous. Speaking of check-ins, Google has also made it easier to search for places to check-in by adding a “Search More Places” button that allows individuals to type the name of a certain establishment in order to find it.

Google Maps for Android 5.2 is now available in the Android Market for free for devices running Android 1.6 Donut or higher. Do take into account that in order to ping friends using Google Latitude, both parties must have version 5.2 of Google Maps for Android.