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Tag: maps

  • Google Maps “Promoted Pins” feature that’s freaking everyone out is not new

    Google Maps “Promoted Pins” feature that’s freaking everyone out is not new

    When Anthony Higman, the person who first posted about the feature, was told the same, he was adamant that he did not tap anything, and the suggestion popped up on its own. The good news is that Higman said that the popup disappeared on its own in less than a minute.

    While it’s not clear if “Promoted Pins” can sometimes show up on their own, it’s a relief that they disappear after a while

    As X user Anthony Higman has shared, Google’s map app will not shy away from suggesting a quick detour to get you to visit one of the locations paying it to advertise on the app. Highman was asked to make a stop at Royal Farms, which is rated 2.9.

    Apparently, these hangouts are suggested arbitrarily and don’t have anything to do with your search history, which is how online ads usually work.

    As if we don’t already have enough ads all around us, be it billboards on the road or on websites we frequent, Google has somehow decided it’s a good idea to blast ads in your face when you are driving.

    Since the ads appear while you are driving, they are quite distracting and potentially dangerous. And from the looks of it, the popup doesn’t go away unless you tap on “Cancel” or “Add stop.” Given many people rely on audio instructions while driving, tempting them to interact with the screen could jeopardise their safety.

    A sponsored ad in Google Maps in the middle of your journey could potentially cause you to lose sight of where you were supposed to be going, especially if you are a new or inexperienced driver.

    Google seems to have lifted this bright idea from its subsidiary Waze, which is allegedly only supposed to show sponsored suggestions when your vehicle is not moving, but, as some users have observed, that’s not the case.

    It’s not known whether this feature is in testing or is here to stay. Higman has already declared that he will stop using the app if he gets sponsored suggestions every time he is driving. Not everyone hates the feature though, with one X user mentioning that it could be a good way to discover new places to go to.

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  • Apple Maps and Apple Music are getting these new features in iOS 18

    Apple Maps and Apple Music are getting these new features in iOS 18

    It almost felt as though Apple Music wasn’t invited to WWDC yesterday, and the app may look the same following the update to iOS 18. However, Apple Music will have a couple of new features that will kick in once you install iOS 18 on your iPhone. One new feature, called Music Haptics, uses the Taptic Engine on an iPhone to produce taps and vibrations that will match the song being played on Apple Music.

    This new feature is actually more important than you might think since it will help those who are deaf or have difficulty hearing “feel the music.” And that is why the feature will be found under the accessibility settings in iOS 18. After installing the latter, go to Settings > Accessibility > Music Haptics and toggle on the feature. You’ll also be able to test out Music Haptics.

    The other new feature allows those without an Apple Music subscription to have control over the music heard on a SharePlay session. Instead of requiring SharePlay users to have an Apple Music subscription, users can share control of music sourced from a HomePod, Apple TV, or any Bluetooth-enabled speaker. As Apple itself notes on its iOS 18 Services preview page, “Participants do not need to have an Apple Music subscription to contribute to what’s playing.”

    What changes are coming to the always-improving Apple Maps app in iOS 18? Suppose we told you that hikes and custom walking maps will be available. According to Apple, users will be able to browse through thousands of hikes found in U.S. national parks. These can be filtered by length, elevation, and route type and can be saved for those times when you’re offline. With just a few taps, users will be able to create a custom walking route whether it’s a local exercise route or a full-day walking tour in a city you’ve never been to before.

    With the all-new Places Library, you can save your national park hikes, custom walking routes, and other places and you’ll be able to add personal notes about each one. This way you can remind yourself about certain aspects of these routes that might be important to remember. And helping Apple Maps create these hikes and walking maps will be the app’s new ability to show topographic maps. These maps show the ups and downs of an area’s terrain in 3D shown on a 2D map.

    Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, said about Apple iPhone users, “We’re excited to give them even more to love about our services, like the ability to explore national parks with hikes in Apple Maps…and enjoy music with loved ones through SharePlay in Apple Music.”

    As you know, the iOS 18 developer beta is available now and the public beta will be available next month. The stable final version of iOS 18 will be available this September.

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  • Oft-requested feature is coming to Apple Maps with iOS 18 release later this year

    Oft-requested feature is coming to Apple Maps with iOS 18 release later this year

    With iOS 18 installed, Apple Maps users might be able to create their own custom routes, which they cannot do presently. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file titled “CustomRouteCreation” to the back end of the Apple Maps app, and the title does give away plenty of information. But outside of the file name, all we know is that at launch, the feature will be limited to use in the U.S.

    Why would you want to create a custom route? Well, you might be used to taking a specific road and would prefer to travel on it, or a particular route might be more scenic or pass more bathrooms, or be near more shopping options or restaurants. Currently, Apple’s chief rival, Google Maps, has a process to allow users to create custom routes. This requires the user to employ his/her computer and then view this route on an iPhone. It sounds like Apple’s implementation is going to be much easier to use.

    It seems that iPhone users have been hounding Apple over the years to add this capability to Apple Maps. As far back as December 2020, Apple community member cowboyf16 asked in the discussions forum, “In Apple Maps, is there a way to create a custom route? For example, we like to drive scenic drives down multiple roads with no distinct destination.”

    We should get our first look at iOS 18 on Monday, June 10th during the WWDC 2024 Keynote. Shortly afterward, the public beta program for iOS 18 will start and you’ll have to decide whether to install it on your iPhone or wait until September when the final version of the software should be released. Keep in mind that beta releases are unstable and certain features that you rely on every day might not work at times if you install the iOS 18 beta.

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  • Enable this feature now so that Google Maps for Android will work when you’re in a tunnel

    Enable this feature now so that Google Maps for Android will work when you’re in a tunnel

    Driving inside a tunnel is often an issue for those using a GPS app to help them navigate because of the inability of the signals to penetrate the tunnel. You might think that this doesn’t really matter with a tunnel since there isn’t much to do inside one except follow the road. But there are other reasons as Google points out in a support page. For example, staying connected in a tunnel allows location services to work, increases driver safety, and gives the driver better visibility into what’s happening inside the tunnel in real time.

    Google-owned Waze connects with Bluetooth beacons inside tunnels in certain cities such as “New York City, Chicago, Paris, Rio, Brussels, Oslo, Sydney, Boston, Mexico City, and more.” Google says, “The Waze Beacons program provides seamless navigation to drivers underground where GPS signals don’t reach.” And now Google Maps will also support Bluetooth beacons according to SmartDroid.

    The feature is disabled by default, but we’re going to tell you how to enable it right now. First, to be clear, this feature is available on Android phones only and cannot be used with Google Maps for iOS. So from your Android phone open Google Maps. Tap the round profile icon on the right of the search bar on the top of the phone. That opens a menu and you should then tap on Settings > Navigation settings and scroll down to the Driving options heading and look for Bluetooth tunnel beacons and toggle it on.

    The listing says, “Scan for Bluetooth tunnel beacons to improve location accuracy in tunnels.” Once you enable the feature, you will have to allow Google Maps to “find, connect to, and determine the relative position of nearby devices.” This feature appears to have been available for some Android users since last October but has recently been found on more Android devices.

    Follow the directions in the previous paragraph to enable the feature and if you see the listing titled “Bluetooth tunnel beacons,” it means that you do have the feature available for Google Maps. It appears on my Pixel 6 Pro running Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3.

    If you do drive through tunnels often and use an Android phone, you might want to take a second to enable this feature.

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  • Google Maps update will allow you to erase all traces of your visits, searches, and more

    Google Maps update will allow you to erase all traces of your visits, searches, and more

    An update from Google is adding some new features to Google Maps which Google discussed today in a newly posted blog. Right now, when you use Google Maps, your Location History is disabled by default. But when you do enable it, your driving activity is stored in the cloud and can be viewed in Google Maps’ Timeline feature. The Timeline feature in Google Maps will help you remember the places you’ve been to. After the update, your activity will be stored on your device although you’ll be able to update it to the cloud as an encrypted backup if you want to; with the encryption, even Google won’t be able to see your Location History.

    But keep in mind that Google is making a huge change in the amount of time that you can store your Location History before it is automatically deleted. Instead of holding this data for 18 months like it used to, Google will delete the information after just three months unless you want to keep the data for a longer period of time. You can even turn off the auto-delete controls if you’d like. These changes will be rolling out to Google Maps on both iOS and Android over the next year.

    Over the next few weeks, Google Maps users on iOS and Android will be able to delete place-related activity from Maps. Here’s how Google explains this: “Say you’re planning a surprise birthday party, and you get directions to a nearby bakery to pick up the cake. Soon, you’ll be able to see all your recent activity on Maps related to the bakery in one central place, and easily delete your searches, directions, visits, and shares with just a few taps. No one will know that you visited the bakery and the party can remain a surprise.

    While removing a location from your Timeline doesn’t get rid of all of the evidence showing that you visited a certain location, with this update you’ll be able to remove all traces of your visit to a specific location.

    When you first open the Google Maps app, there is a blue dot on the map that represents your current location. Pressing on the dot now will allow you to share your location, and even use a shortcut to save your parking spot. But soon you’ll be able to press the blue dot and see if your Location History or Timeline settings are turned on and whether you have given Maps access to your device’s location. This feature will be disseminated over the next few weeks for the iOS and Android versions of Google Maps.

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  • Google Maps update brings Immersive View for routes to select cities

    Google Maps update brings Immersive View for routes to select cities

    Google continues to upgrade key features of its app with the help of the AI. Previously announced at Google I/O this year, the AI-powered feature called “Immersive View for routes” is now available in select cities on both Android and iOS devices.

    With Immersive View for routes, Google Maps users will be able to see every segment of a route before they start driving, walking or cycling. Google’s new feature uses AI “to fuse billions of Street View and aerial images together to create a rich, digital model of the world.”

    Instead of seeing a flat route on your screen, you’re now immersed in a multidimensional experience that not only allows you to visualize every segment of a route, but also bike lanes, sidewalks, intersections, as well as parking.

    Starting today, Immersive View routes is available in the following cities around the world: Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Paris, Seattle, San Francisco, San Jose, Tokyo, and Venice.

    In addition to bringing Immersive View for routes to select cities, Google announced deeper Lens integration for more accurate navigation. Maps users can now tap the Lens icon in the search bar and lift their phone to find information about nearby ATMs, transit station, restaurants, coffee shops and stores.

    Starting this week, deeper Lens integration is coming to more than 50 new cities including Austin, Las Vegas, Rome, Sao Paolo and Taipei.

    Last but not least, EV drivers on Android and iOS will now see more helpful charging station information starting this week. That includes whether a charger is compatible with their vehicle and whether available chargers are fast, medium, or slow. This feature will start rolling out globally on Android and iOS this week wherever EV charging station info is available.

  • Google Maps now allows users to find their favorite places faster using emojis

    Google Maps now allows users to find their favorite places faster using emojis

    With the Google Maps app, you can tap the Saved tab on the bottom of the screen to create lists of places where you want to go or your favorite places. Just the other day Google posted on its Google Maps’ X account that thanks to a new update to the app “you can customize your saved places with emojis to help you find your fav spots faster.” The emoji are the same ones available in messages so you can use a food emoji, a sports emoji, or any emoji you wish to symbolize a place that you’ve saved.

    To add an emoji, open Google Maps and press the Saved tab at the bottom of the screen. This won’t work with the default lists that come with Google Maps such as “Want to go,” “Favorites,” “Travel plans,” “Labeled,” and “Starred places.” You’ll have to create your own list or edit an existing one you created. In a video shared by Google on X, a new list named “Fav Coffee Spots” is created. Select an emoji for the list, which in this case is a cup of coffee, and add a description. Now, add the spots you want to add to the list.

    Once you’ve filled out the list, when you see one of these spots on Google Maps and are close to the location, you’ll see the name of the place with the chosen emoji next to it. If you zoom out on the map, you’ll see only the emoji. We assume that Google made this change because, unlike a pin stuck in a map, an emoji can convey more information to the user. Using emojis, you’ll be able to quickly determine if a certain spot on a map is one of your favorite coffee houses, a favorite ice cream parlor, or a burger joint you visit often without having to tap on the location.

    With so many emojis to choose from, the user can use them to find his/her favorite spots faster on Google Maps.
  • Google Maps tests the use of some colors that copy Apple Maps

    Google Maps tests the use of some colors that copy Apple Maps

    While Google Maps is still considered the top mapping and navigation app for mobile devices, Apple Maps has made an incredible turnaround after the fiasco that was the original launch of the service back in 2012 with the release of iOS 6. Apple was forced to start from scratch to revise the app and has done a pretty decent job of doing so, And now Google appears to be testing some new color options for Google Maps that match some of the shades used by Apple Maps.
    Google Maps is testing a lighter blue color to represent water and any difference to the hue used by Apple is very minor. On the other hand, Google appears to be moving away from Apple by using a darker green color to indicate areas like parks and forests. Previously, Google and Apple both used a lighter shade of green to represent such areas.
    But Google Maps is also testing the use of gray, instead of white, to signify a road, and dark gray to represent a highway. All of these color changes being tested bring Google Maps in line with Apple Maps’ color scheme. And if you use Dark theme on both apps, Google Maps’ implementation of it remains darker than Apple Maps. Dark theme on the mapping apps is an acquired taste with some drivers complaining that it is harder to view the maps on the apps using a darker background
    You can go into the settings for both apps and keep them in Light mode if that is what you prefer. Additionally, Google Maps is also giving the driving directions at the top of the screen a darker green background color although you will have to use it under real-world conditions to see what impact the darker color has on you.
    The updated version of Google Maps is reportedly rolling out today to Android users although it has yet to hit my Pixel 6 Pro running Android 14 beta 5.2.
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  • Google Maps on Android Auto gets a design tweak that will help drivers on the road

    Google Maps on Android Auto gets a design tweak that will help drivers on the road

    Google Maps is rolling out a new design for the Maps app on Android Auto. The new design adds a sidebar to the Maps experience in your car where controls live.

    Previously, map controls were only displayed when you interacted with the map. But with the new design, the controls are always visible in a translucent bar on the left side of the screen.

    The new translucent bar’s controls include zoom, changing the map’s orientation, changing what is said out loud by the assistant, and access to additional settings.

    The new design appears to be in its testing stages although some users already report seeing it on Android Auto v10 and v9.9 with Google Maps v11.90. This version isn’t live yet for everyone and it is not yet clear if the new design will be available for older versions of Android Auto.

    The new Android Auto design has a very significant benefit: It makes it easier to access map controls while you’re driving since they are now positioned closer to the driver — at least in the U.S. — and you no longer have to fumble around with the touchscreen to find the controls you need. Even if you’re not familiar with the app, this new design makes the most used controls more visible and easier to get to.

    Note, though, that this view only shows up when the app takes up the full screen and not when it uses the Coolwalk split-view redesign that Android Auto introduced a few months back. This also follows a redesign of how the Google Assistant appears in your console, showing more consistency with what you see when you use the Assistant on your phone.

    This tweak to Maps on Android Auto is a welcome improvement. It makes it easier to use Maps while driving, providing a more consistent look and feel across Android Auto apps.

  • Changes made by Apple is making iPhone users switch back to Apple Maps from Google Maps

    Changes made by Apple is making iPhone users switch back to Apple Maps from Google Maps

    Apple Maps was something of a mess for a long time, prompting users to download Google Maps instead. Things are finally getting better though and iPhone owners are beginning to appreciate the changes that Apple has made to its maps app.
    Google Maps used to be the default mapping app on the iPhone and iPad but that changed after iOS 6 was announced. Apple Maps had many bugs including misplaced labels for landmarks and businesses and missing roads in cities. The user experience was so bad that Apple CEO Tim Cook had to issue an apology for the frustration it caused.
    Apple Maps has improved to the point that many people are sticking with it instead of switching to Google Maps.
    Changes such as an attractive design, clear public transit direction, faster routes, and better management of the unpredictability of subway outages than Google Maps is making people like Jason Rabinowitz who switched to Android to use Google Maps more easily come back to Apple’s ecosystem.
    Jane Natoli, who considers herself a Google Maps power user, says she has started using Apple Maps more after her iPhone prompted her to use the app in an airport. The app was able able to detect that she was at the airport and recommended shops and restaurants in her terminal. Natoli also liked that it had clearer information than Google Maps. She also thinks that it’s easier to read Apple’s find directions when compared to Google Maps.
    “It made me kind of revisit and rethink some of my prior assumptions about it. Whatever initial reputational hurdles that Apple Maps faced, I think they’ve jumped over those.” – Jane Natoli
    Georgia Tech graduate Angelica Nguyen says that roads are easier to look at on Apple Maps and the view is not cluttered by points of interest.
    Even though the iPhone comes preloaded with Apple Maps, most users have downloaded Google Maps as an alternative, according to Canalys. But Apple Maps is more deeply integrated into iOS and services that need direction use Apple Maps.
    People generally like to use default options, according to user-experience consultant Peter Ramsey. So now that Apple Maps has improved, people have no reason to download Google Maps.
    Google Maps is still considered the better option by some when they are driving. And Apple still has a lot of work to do. Costume-design student Laura Pladziewicz says that Apple Maps misguided her when she was in Boston. Law student Noah Abdelaziz said the app suggested a route that lengthened his commute.
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  • Google apps like Maps, Translate, Calendar and Lens are getting integrated into the iOS Chrome app

    Google apps like Maps, Translate, Calendar and Lens are getting integrated into the iOS Chrome app

    There are some changes being made by Google to the iOS version of Chrome in order to “help you quickly get more done from your browser.” Google notes that Chrome is using “AI to detect addresses on webpages.” Press on an address inside of a webpage and you’ll see an option to “View with Google Maps in Chrome.” Tapping on this option will reveal a mini Google Maps in Chrome that will allow you to “Get Directions” to the address on the webpage that you tapped, or open the full Google Maps app.
    Tap on a date listed on a webpage in the iOS version of Chrome and you’ll see two options: one to add that date to the Google Calendar app, and one to add that date to Apple Calendar. If you choose to add it to Google Calendar, contextual information will be used to fill out some of the blanks and you can adjust some of the information to meet the particulars of the appointment you are adding to the calendar.
    Now here’s another cool feature coming to the iOS version of Chrome. Tap on a passage found on a website written in a foreign language and a toolbar will appear on the display that includes a “Google Translate” option. Tap on it and the section of the webpage you wanted to be translated will appear in English (or your home language).
    And in the coming months, the search/URL bar at the top of the iOS version of Chrome will include the iconic Google Lens camera icon on the right side of the bar found near the top of the screen. Tap on it and you can “use your camera to search with new pictures you take and existing images in your camera roll.” Think of Lens as another way to access Google’s search engine using photos to input what you want to search for. Currently, an icon for Lens can be found in the search bar near the top of the iOS Google Search app.
    It isn’t clear when these new features are coming to the iOS version of Chrome so it will be a matter of trial and error until you find that each of these new features is available on your iPhone.
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  • Google Maps adds four new features aimed at national park explorers

    Google Maps adds four new features aimed at national park explorers

    Google is trying to make it easier for Maps users who love to visit national parks to find and reach their favorite landscapes with ease. To help with that, Google announced four new features will make it to Maps in April, all four meant to make it easier for users to find the information they need when they are going to a national park.

    One of the most important new features coming to Google Maps this month will allow its users to identify the most popular places in a park, including attractions, campgrounds, visitor centers, and trailheads. To receive all this information, you can search for the park you’re interested in, and then tap on any of the photos you got as results for more details. These details oftentimes consist of videos and reviews from people who have already visited the location.

    Another major upcoming feature enables Maps users to see popular trails from start to finish. The app will now highlight a trail’s entire route on the map instead of just showing a pin. In addition, Maps will also provide more details on a trail from the community, such as what type of trail it is, its difficulty, and if it’s suitable for running, walking, or cycling.

    The following new feature coming later this month is meant to provide more detailed directions in US national parks. Park entrances will be highlighted on the map, so you can request walking or cycling directions to a trail and Maps should pinpoint you in the right direction.

    Last but not least, another useful feature coming to Maps in April allows users to bring Maps offline and still be able to check the app. A new way to download an offline map for a park will become available once the app gets updated. Simply tap the “download” button on the park’s Google Maps listing to download it for offline use.

    According to Google, the four new features will be coming to all US national parks in April and will be rolled out to parks around the world in the coming months. Naturally, the features will be available on iOS and Android devices.

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  • Google unveils new useful features for Google Maps

    Google unveils new useful features for Google Maps

    Google is constantly looking to improve Google Maps. No longer just an app that helps you get from point “A” to point “B” quickly and safely, Maps will now recommend places to eat, hotels to stay at, and fun things to do when you arrive at point “B.” It will even show you landmarks to visit. And Google Maps will always show you where to get gas, a cup of coffee, groceries, and more.

    Today, Google announced some changes to its Maps app that make it more immersive when it comes to looking around to get the feel of a place or, as some call it, the lay of the land. Immersive view will combine Street View with aerial images and will show weather and traffic info on top to give users “a rich, digital model of the world.”

    Google gives us an example. “Say you’re planning a visit to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. You can virtually soar over the building and see where things like the entrances are. With the time slider, you can see what the area looks like at different times of day and what the weather will be like. You can also spot where it tends to be most crowded so you can have all the information you need to decide where and when to go.”

    Continuing with the example, Google adds, “If you’re hungry, glide down to the street level to explore nearby restaurants — and even take a look inside to quickly understand the vibe of a spot before you book your reservation.” Immersive view starts rolling out today (displayed in alphabetical order) in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo.

    Google’s AR-powered Live View takes a live feed from your phone’s camera and layers huge arrows and other information on top to help those walking get to their destination while at the same time, pointing out interesting buildings and landmarks around them. A couple of years ago, Google added Live View to indoor locations such as airports in the U.S., Zurich, and Tokyo (not displayed in alphabetical order). The feature helps travelers roaming an unfamiliar airport find the bathroom, car rental stands, lounges, and more.

    Today, the company announced that it will add Live View to 1,000 new airports, malls, and train stations over the next few months in Barcelona, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Melbourne, Paris, Prague, São Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, and Taipei.

    Search with Live View uses both AI and AR to help you find ATMs, restaurants, parks, and transit stations while walking. To activate it, hold the phone up while walking the streets. The info you will see is very useful as it will show you “when a place is open, if it’s busy right now, and how highly it’s rated – so you can make an informed decision and maximize your time.”

    Google recently started offering search with Live View in London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, San Francisco, and Tokyo. Over the next few months, Google will add the feature in Barcelona, Dublin, and Madrid.

    Google Maps will soon give you “glanceable directions.” This will allow a user to track his journey from the route overview or the lock screen. You will see information like updated estimated arrival times and where you will make the next turn.  Previously, this data would only be shown once you unlocked your phone, opened the app, and used the comprehensive navigation mode. This feature will be disseminated to Android and iOS devices in the coming months.

    Google Maps is also adding new features for Electric Vehicles (EV) that have built-in Google capabilities. For example, on any trip that will require a stop at a charging station, Maps will recommend the best place to stop based on the current traffic, the current charge level of the EV’s battery, and forecast battery consumption. If the recommended charging stop is not convenient, it can be replaced with another upcoming stop with just a few screen taps. With this feature, EV drivers won’t have to keep worrying about stopping to charge regardless of the destination.

    EV drivers will also be able to tap the ‘very fast’ charging filter to find stations that use chargers of 150 kilowatts or higher. This should allow most cars to top off the battery and get back on the road in less than 40 minutes. And under search results, Google will now show when places like supermarkets have a charging station to help you pick up your groceries while charging the battery in your EV.

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  • Apple adds a new useful parking feature to the Maps app

    Apple adds a new useful parking feature to the Maps app

    Apple Maps has come a long way since the app was first released in September 2012. At first, Maps was an unmitigated disaster with some roadways and even countries unlabeled or missing their names. A few places were incorrectly identified and Apple uncharacteristically released an apology with Tim Cook telling iPhone users to use Google Maps or other mapping and navigation apps until Apple Maps was fixed. A company-wide shakeup ensued resulting in the dismissal of longtime software chief Scott Forstall.
    Apple went back to the drawing board and started collecting its own data so that it could build a new mapping and navigation platform from the ground up. And today, Apple Maps is a solid mapping and navigation platform that Apple continues to work on. Apple has teamed up with digital parking marketplace SpotHero to deliver information to Apple Maps users on 8,000 parking locations across the U.S. and Canada.
    For example, let’s say that you’ve got tickets to see the New York Knicks or the Rangers play at Madison Square Garden and you want to reserve a parking spot; go to Apple Maps and look up Madison Square Garden in New York City. On the listing, tap the three-dot “More” button on the right side. A pop-up menu will appear with Parking as the first option at the top of the list. Tap it and you’ll be taken to the appropriate SpotHero page without ever having to leave Apple Maps.

    Besides appearing on the iOS Apple Maps app, the partnership with SpotHero will also allow Mac users to reserve parking spots. This added feature is another step in the right direction for Apple Maps which still has to battle Google Maps on the iPhone for iOS for navigation app supremacy.

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  • Google reiterates cool new features coming to Google Maps

    Google reiterates cool new features coming to Google Maps

    Google is teasing new features that are coming to Google Maps including Immersive View. Using a combination of Artificial Intelligence, Street View, and aerial images, this feature is designed to take you into an area that you’re planning to visit (using your phone’s screen), add the current weather and traffic, and even allow you to virtually enter a store or a restaurant. With Immersive View, you can get used to the restaurant you have reservations for and even know what to expect in terms of the size of the crowd.
    As an example, Google shows how Immersive View can show you what it will be like to view a ball game at Oracle Park. You’ll see in advance where the parking lots and exits are, see what the weather will be on the day of your visit (so you can dress accordingly) and allow you to take a virtual walk around the restaurants near the ballpark so you’ll know where to go to eat before or after the game.
    Immersive View will be available on Google Maps (on iOS and Android) over the next few months in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo. It will also be available in more cities in the future. Earlier this year we wrote this about Immersive View: “If you want to know what the atmosphere is like inside a restaurant, with Immersive View, you’ll be able to swoop down to street level and get a peek of the inside of the eatery.”
    With Neighborhood Vibe, Google Maps can tell you what makes a particular neighborhood special. Is it an area for foodies? Is it an area with an “artsy vibe?” You can find out by exploring photographs of a particular neighborhood to see what it looks like.
    And using Search with Live View, Google bring Augmented Reality (AR) to your phone. You might be familiar with Live View which allows you to see arrows and directions on your screen layered over a live feed from your phone’s camera. Live View is used to navigate walks in certain cities using Google Maps. Search with Live View will allows you to search and find certain things in your area such as ATM machines.
    Chris Phillips, the VP and GM of Geo at Google told reporters, “You can also see coffee shops, grocery stores and transit stations. You really get a sense of what an area is like at a glance. You can even see the business hours of a place that’s down the street. It’s an amazing way to bring it all together at once, it really simplifies the experience and gives you confidence when you’re trying to see what’s around you in that moment.”
    Over the coming months, Search with Live View will be available in London, New York, Paris, San Francisco and Tokyo for both iOS and Android users. Google, which revealed many of these new features during its I/O developers conference in May, mentioned them again during its Search On 22 event held on Wednesday. Google also released a video of the event for those who might have missed it.
    Google is also allowing developers to include Google Maps eco-friendly navigation with their apps. This will allow food delivery or ride share drivers using Google Maps to help them navigate, take routes that are more fuel efficient. Developers will be able to allow users to select the kind of engine being used to make this feature even more fuel-efficient. This will be available later this year in areas where Google already offers eco-friendly routing such as in the United States, Canada and parts of Western Europe.
    These features will be coming to Google Maps during the coming months. The company says that they are part of its efforts to build a “visual-first” Maps experience so that users can more naturally navigate the world.
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