Google Maps is no longer the tool we only use to get from location A to location B. From seeing our streets in a true-to-life view to remembering where we parked our car, Google has added many useful features to its Maps over the years. Google is now adding three additional features to the maps that will change the way you use the app on your smartphone.
1. Aerial photo
Starting with the new features, Google adds photorealistic aerial views of the world’s 100 most popular landmarks in cities like Barcelona, London, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo to the maps. This feature allows users to get a 3D aerial view of many popular landmarks. This is Google’s first attempt at a ‘immersive viewing experience’ to its users. Google defines immersive experience as one that: combines AI with billions of high-definition Street View, satellite and aerial images.
While it may not seem very useful at first, Aerial View can come in handy in a number of situations. Let’s say you are planning a trip with your friends and you are considering going to a particular location. Using Aerial View, you can get an idea of what that popular landmark looks like and whether it’s worth adding to your itinerary. Likewise, it can be used by students to learn more about popular historical monuments and monuments.
2. New Location Sharing Features
Location sharing has always been a critical part of Google Maps. In fact, the company also allows you to share your live location with someone else. Google is now making the location sharing feature even better, as users can now be notified when the person sharing the location has left or arrived at a particular place.
Here’s how it can help you: Let’s say you’re meeting friends at a restaurant. You can set a notification for the address of the restaurant so that you are notified when they arrive at the location. This way you don’t have to waste time pinging everyone to know where they are. Instead, you’ll be notified when they arrive at the location. Of course, the notification only comes if your friends are already sharing their location with you (or you ask them to share).
Google says the new feature is built with privacy first. The company sends the user repeated notifications and emails if they constantly share location notifications with someone. This way you can turn them off when you no longer need them. Both immersive views and location sharing notifications are available to all Google Maps users starting today.
3. More information about cycling routes
The number of people using bicycles to get around has increased, thanks to the pandemic that has raised awareness about health and high oil prices. While Google has provided turn-by-turn bike navigation for more than a decade, the update allows users to get even more information about their routes.
The maps now provide users with a ‘detailed overview’ of the route that tells them whether they will encounter heavy car traffic, stairs or steep hills. It will also tell the users what kind of road they will be driving on: a main road, a secondary road, a bike path or a shared path. So you no longer have to drive through unfamiliar streets.
Google first gave us a glance these features back at Google I/O 2022, and now the company is finally rolling them out to users. What do you think of the new Google Maps features? Let us know in the comments below!