Mobile By Russell Holly May. 6, 2014 1:15 pm
A big update to Google Maps has arrived, and it’s full of great new tools to make the software much more useful when navigating.
It’s been a little while now since Google pushed a total visual overhaul to their Maps service, and now that the new Maps have left beta they are amazing. The big showy changes to Google Maps were a welcomed addition to the platform, focusing on huge maps that take up the whole screen and menus that only interfere when they have to. The next version of Maps is here for iOS and Android, and it’s got a big focus on navigation and directions.
Maps 8.0 includes what is probably the most obviously important but constantly left out feature in turn by turn navigation – lane guidance. The software now includes a new visual aid to let you know what lane you need to be in when a big highway exchange is about to happen, or when you’re approaching a fork in the road. It’s a small visual change, and it moves the “next turn” image to the other side of the screen, but it has the potential to make a huge difference in how many people use turn by turn navigation.
Offline support and better location storage are included in this update as well. Google has made it much easier to save map segments to your phone for offline use, and even label it for personal use or custom map making. The location search function can now also by synced across devices, so when you’ve looked something up on your computer or tablet you can pull it up on your phone without needing to remember the name. All you need to do is click the save star on a location you’ve previously searched, and it will be added to the sync.
If you’ve ever used Uber before, you know that the map included in their app is alright, but often a little sluggish when compared to the Google Maps app. Now when you look up directions for something across town, Google will present you with an Uber card to compare with your current travel options. If you have the Uber app installed, selecting this card will launch the app with the information needed to quickly summon a private car for you.
Ultimately, this is a lot of great tweaks to one of the better map services available on a smartphone today. If you’re on an iPhone or iPad, the app update is available to you now in the App Store. If you’re on Android, the Google Play Store has already begun rolling out the update and you’ll see it pop up over the next couple of days.
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It’s been a little while now since Google pushed a total visual overhaul to their Maps service, and now that the new Maps have left beta they are amazing. The big showy changes to Google Maps were a welcomed addition to the platform, focusing on huge maps that take up the whole screen and menus that only interfere when they have to. The next version of Maps is here for iOS and Android, and it’s got a big focus on navigation and directions.
Maps 8.0 includes what is probably the most obviously important but constantly left out feature in turn by turn navigation – lane guidance. The software now includes a new visual aid to let you know what lane you need to be in when a big highway exchange is about to happen, or when you’re approaching a fork in the road. It’s a small visual change, and it moves the “next turn” image to the other side of the screen, but it has the potential to make a huge difference in how many people use turn by turn navigation.
Offline support and better location storage are included in this update as well. Google has made it much easier to save map segments to your phone for offline use, and even label it for personal use or custom map making. The location search function can now also by synced across devices, so when you’ve looked something up on your computer or tablet you can pull it up on your phone without needing to remember the name. All you need to do is click the save star on a location you’ve previously searched, and it will be added to the sync.
If you’ve ever used Uber before, you know that the map included in their app is alright, but often a little sluggish when compared to the Google Maps app. Now when you look up directions for something across town, Google will present you with an Uber card to compare with your current travel options. If you have the Uber app installed, selecting this card will launch the app with the information needed to quickly summon a private car for you.
Ultimately, this is a lot of great tweaks to one of the better map services available on a smartphone today. If you’re on an iPhone or iPad, the app update is available to you now in the App Store. If you’re on Android, the Google Play Store has already begun rolling out the update and you’ll see it pop up over the next couple of days.
More...
