Google Maps It is one of the most popular services of the online giant, since it represents a great utility when moving around, looking for a place, calculating routes or locating businesses. In recent months we have talked about the many additions that the company has made to this platform, in which the focus was on However, now Google is proposing a change of approach. Inside, more specifically
Google Maps brings new features to its platform
The company has announced one that comes hand in hand with a series of improvements based on artificial intelligence, with which they seek revolutionize the way you use Maps.
“We’ve been pushing the boundaries of what a map can do, powered by the latest machine learning. This year, we’re on track to bring over 100 AI-powered enhancements to Google Maps so you can get the most accurate and up-to-date information about the world, exactly when you need it.” This is what Dane Glasgow, Vice President of Geographic Product Experience at Google, puts it.
Indoor navigation directions
One of these new updates is about the possibility of receive directions indoors such as airports, stations or shopping malls. This novelty is an update of its Live View tool, which shows the directions on the phone by means of augmented reality, superimposing them on the image captured with the camera.
Indoor LiveView, as this tool is called, it is already available for Android and iOS devices, and it works in some locations in cities like Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, etc. In addition, it is expected that in the coming months it will be enabled for transport stations and airports in Zurich and Tokyo, to later expand globally.
Weather and air quality reports
Another of its updates presents an interesting approach, it is a new layer of climate information and air quality. These updates come from a joint effort with The Weather Company and AirNow.gov. The first will indicate the weather situation of the place searched on Maps and is expected to be released globally in the coming months.
On the other hand, the function of air quality is much more specific, it will indicate how healthy the environment is by showing the existence of smoke and pollution. A function that will be very practical for people who suffer from allergies and in locations prone to fires. This function will come out in Australia, India and the United Statesfor the time being, without a probable date for its globalization.
ecological options
In accordance with its environmental commitment, Google has launched new functions within its platform that adjust to more ecological transport methods and routes. In this way, when searching for a route in the Maps app, it will display an alternative route that reduces environmental impact, without considerably affecting the estimated time of arrival.
This route will take into account roads with less variation in terrain, as well as traffic, which will reduce fuel consumption. This feature will be released, later in the year, in the United States, as a starting point for its global expansion. On the other hand, in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and They will launch in June a new function that will identify low emission zones.
In the aforementioned countries there are zones that limit the transit of certain vehicles according to the level of pollution that they produce with their emissions. The update will inform the user about these zones so that they can take the necessary precautions, such as changing the route or choosing another vehicle.
Hand in hand with the latter, a function will be launched that will allow choose different and more sustainable transport methods. This offers a more detailed and complete view of the routes searched, and the transport methods that fit them. These options will be ranked according to their sustainability, user preferences and the popularity of the location. In other words, in areas where the underground is widely used, this route will be one of the first to appear.
Delivery and collection options in store
Since last year, home deliveries and pickup or store pick-up purchases have grown exponentially, which is why they made it their goal to facilitate these processes. To do this, from now on the Maps application will have more complete and detailed information about these characteristics in the business profiles.
Among these characteristics we find costs and delivery times, along with possible delivery providers. This function will be limited for the moment only to the Google search engine and with some stores in the United States. However, its soon expansion to the Maps application with new partners is expected.
Although the previous function has not yet reached Maps, the possibility of sharing the route and estimated time of arrival for a pickup order has. This feature will launch this summer in the US. With this, the company hopes to facilitate the pickup order collection processes, since by sharing this information, orders can be prioritized according to arrival estimates.
3D maps
Finally, and although it is not in the statement issued, the arrival of a new map display option in the application is expected to revolutionize the way of locating locations. This information was released by Dane Glasgow himself at a press conference prior to the announcement made, according to the portal.
Through photogrammetrytechnology used by Microsoft to achieve detailed rendering of its flight simulator, Google has started to build a 3D model of its maps. Thus, the 3D mapping will be superimposed on what we are used to seeing in 2D. This technology will allow the application to analyze more specific information about addresses, traffic lights and various characteristics of buildings, providing a more complete and accurate visual experience.
“We also think that 3D images will allow us to visualize a lot of new information and data overlaid, you know, all kinds of useful information like traffic or accidents, traffic delays, crowding… there’s a lot of potential here to provide new informationGlasgow explained.
One more step in the evolution of Google Maps: these were the latest changes
As we said at the beginning, Google has made many changes to this tool in recent years. Thus, last December with which you will be able to find and share more information about local places or establishments. With this, Google searches expand the concept of a program with which users can correct errors in listings or local business information.
with his new “Community Feed” or community feed, Google Maps creates an experience very similar to that of a “classic” social network, as you can scroll through a news feed that includes the latest reviews, photos and posts that have been added to Google Maps by local experts, people you follow companies and even publications, which will also make discovering new businesses or places to go much easier. this new feed is being gradually added globally to the Explore tab in your app for both Android and iOS devices.
How to use the new Google Maps feed
The only thing you will need to do to use the new Google Maps social feed is to open the application and select the “Explore” tab, And like any algorithm on any social network, Google will tailor content around the companies, places, and things you’ve previously shown interest in.
“Wondering if your favorite Mexican restaurant has added a new dish to the menu? If you follow him on Maps you will receive his updates in your feed. Are you looking for a new route for your morning walk or an excursion near your city? PYou can explore the feed to get the best recommendations of places to visit from Google Maps users in your area”assured Google in .
A new image for Google Maps
A few months earlier, in February 2020, and coinciding with the 15th anniversary of Maps, it was announced one of the biggest redesigns since its birth. A whole series of new functionalities with which the online giant seeks to continue being the main source of information about places, addresses and displacements for the most disoriented users. google launched five easy-to-access tabs: Explore, Commutes, Saved, Contribute, and What’s New.
- Explore: Looking for a place near you to have lunch or enjoy live music? In the Explore tab, you will find information, ratings, reviews and other suggestions, among approximately 200 million places around the world
- Regular trips: Whether you travel by car or public transport, use this tab to make sure you choose the most advisable route.
- Saved: People have saved more than 6.5 billion places on Google Maps, from the new bakery in your city to the famous restaurant of the place where you will spend your next vacation. Now, not only will it be more convenient for you to see all these places grouped in one place, but you will also be able to search and organize plans for your next trip and share recommendations about the places you have already visited.
- Contribute: Hundreds of millions of people each year contribute useful information to help us keep Google Maps up to date. With the new Contribute tab you can easily share your local knowledge.
- What’s New: The new “What’s New” tab offers information on hot spots or must-see places suggested by local experts and editors. In addition to discovering, saving, and sharing recommendations with your network, you’ll also You can chat directly with the businesses to clarify your doubts.
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