Have you noticed any interesting update over Google Maps icon and its newly updated features? It is a moment to cherish that today Google Maps has turned to 15 years old and celebrating its excellence over all Digital Platforms.
So far, Google Maps offered satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, 360° interactive panoramic views of streets, real-time traffic conditions, and route planning for traveling by foot, car, bicycle and air, or public transportation. But now the product has seen slight overhaul with a new icon, new navigation tabs, and new features by replacing old map intersecting pin icon.
Google explains the design change in recent post:
“It’s based on a key part of Google Maps since the very beginning-the pin-and represents the shift we’ve made from getting you to your destination to also helping you discover new places and experiences.”
Google Maps app for iOS and Android
While you scroll down your Google Maps app on your iOS and Android mobile phone, you will find new navigation tabs at the bottom of the screen. These include:
1. Explore:
Quick access to information such as ratings, reviews and more for nearby places.
2. Commute:
Organize your daily commute to get real-time traffic updates, calculate travel times, and alternative suggestions for routes.
3. Saved:
View all of your saved spots at one convenient place.
4. Contribute:
Quickly contribute to Google Maps by sharing local knowledge about roads, addresses, photos, and business reviews.
5. Updates:
This tab includes a feed of trending, must-see spots from local experts, advertisers and publishers.
Upcoming Features
Google has discovered some interesting and upcoming Maps feature that will be rolling out soon on March 2020 which enable you to explore some of the informative route insights based on the information contributed by other visitors.
Let’s see what are they –
1. Temperature:
Status of your route weather conditions whether it’s colder or warmer than usual.
2. Accessibility:
Find public transit lines with staffed assistance, accessible entrance and seating, accessible stop-button/hi-visible LED.
3. Women’s Section:
In particular areas/regions where transit system associated with women’s sections or carriages, Google Maps will assist in surfacing such information.
4. Security Onboard:
You can cross-check whether security monitoring is on board, installed security cameras, helpline availability, etc.
So, these are some of the new features which is going to enhance Google Maps user experience and over the upcoming months – Google Maps will be expanding Live View feature with new capabilities of testing.
Ultimately, this lets Google Maps user to quickly predict how far they are and in which direction the place is overlaid which combines Street View’s to real-world imagery, machine learning and smartphone sensors.
Therefore, these new features of Google Maps will roll out globally on March 2020 which may vary by region and municipal transportation agency availability. Also, very soon Google Maps users will be invited to participate in a short survey to share about their experience on recent trips.
For more information on Google updates and other Digital Platforms subscribe to our Blog.