With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Google hasn’t been shy about sharing safety tips for users. In another positive change to Google Maps, the company is now showing a banner that encourages people to wear a mask when they go out.
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Last month, CEO Sundar Pichai said that Google would “develop initiatives and product ideas that support long-term solutions” for the Black community. One of these efforts is a way for Black-owned businesses to identify themselves in Google Maps and Search, with that attribute launching today.
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Amid COVID-19, Google says that requests for biking directions in Maps hit an all-time high last month. Google Maps is now working to add the latest routes, while adding end-to-end directions that incorporate docked bikeshare services.
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Besides Lens, Google’s big bet on augmented reality is in Maps. AR walking directions rolled out to Android and iOS last year, with more features on the way. Google Maps is now using Live View to calibrate your location.
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Back in 2018, Google Maps for Android and iOS introduced a way for customers to directly contact stores. Google today is expanding Business Messages in Maps and adding more functionality.
In addition to new auto-delete defaults, Google is making it easier to control key privacy settings. Google Account controls will be directly available in Search, while Incognito Mode is becoming more ubiquitous.
In addition to being a fun way to explore the world, Street View helps users get their bearings before visiting a new location. Google Maps is now testing AR-esque place marker overlays that make Street View even more of a wayfinding tool.
Google seems to always be working on new features for its various services, including Google Maps. Today, Jane Wong posted to Twitter a bunch of new features coming to Maps — here’s a breakdown.
Google Local Guides of varying levels often get treats and perks for helping improve the Google Maps experience. Now, if you’re a UK-based Local Guide you could be in receipt of £10 free Deliveroo credit.
Every summer, Google Marketing Live is a conference announcing the company’s latest advertising products. Google is now making these announcements over the next several weeks, and starting with new features for small and medium-sized businesses (SMB), like square-shaped Promoted pins in Google Maps.
Washington, DC, has seen many protests over the past few weeks regarding racial inequality. As a part of that, part of 16th Street in front of the White House has been renamed as “Black Lives Matter Plaza,” and, now, Google Maps has finally updated its satellite imagery to show the “Black Lives Matter” mural.
Back in 2018, Google Maps added built-in media playback controls when navigating on iOS and Android. An update this week sees Google Maps finally support YouTube Music on the latter platform.
Last month, Google Photos celebrated its fifth anniversary. Nothing marked the occasion, but a bottom bar redesign of the mobile app is underway, and the Android app today reveals work on a way to browse images on a map.
Amid stay at home orders, Google Maps might have become one of your least used applications in recent weeks. As people return, Google Maps is now highlighting important information, like crowds, for public transit and car commutes.
The past couple of weeks in the US and the world as a whole have seen protestors speak out against racial inequality following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. One area where protests have been especially present is in the nation’s capital, Washington DC and now, Google Maps has renamed a portion of 16th street as “Black Lives Matter Plaza.”
Google’s My Business portal is adding a new feature that’s useful for business owners and customers alike: new types of business hours that can be displayed on Google Maps and other products for different aspects of the business.
The rollout of the newer Material Theme icons for Android Auto has been long overdue but is now here when using Google Maps navigation in your motor vehicle.
To say thanks to Local Guides, Google is hosting an exclusive Headspace meditation livestream today (May 29) at 11:15 a.m. PT.
In 2014, Google launched the “Open Location Code” project as an alternative to street addresses that’s “easier to use than latitude and longitude.” Google Maps is now introducing a faster way to access and share “Plus Codes” on Android.
Google Maps has a timeline feature built in that uses your location data to show you where you’ve been. Some find it handy, some find it creepy. Regardless of where you stand, though, Google Maps has been missing timeline data for some users, but there’s a fix coming.
Local businesses are struggling amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic due to decreased foot traffic and sales. Many have turned to selling gift cards as a means for customers to offer additional support, with Google soon allowing affected businesses to link to such donation methods on their public listings.
In recent months, Google has added a number of privacy controlling features to Maps. The latest sees Incognito mode come to Google Maps for iOS, while Android picks up the ability to bulk delete logged locations in Timeline.
As part of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Google Maps is getting a new “Accessible Places” mode to explicitly highlight wheelchair accessibility information in the app.
Amid the ongoing pandemic, one concern for first responders is that their line of work will inadvertently infect their families with the virus. Some hotels have begun offering free or discounted COVID-19 rooms for these essential workers, and Google Maps is now highlighting these places.
