Google Maps

806 'Google Maps' stories May 2011 - March 2018

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Google Maps

Police in Raleigh are requesting Google location data to identify suspects

Kyle Bradshaw Mar 19 2018 - 2:23 pm PT

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In Raleigh, NC, (via WRAL) it’s been discovered that local police have issued search warrants for Google to surrender data on Google Accounts that are near crime scenes within a given window of time.

It should seem obvious to users of Google Maps that Google keeps record of your location over time. Less obvious is that even with GPS disabled, Google still has a decent idea where you are, using other factors like cell towers and WiFi networks. This is true whether you use an Android phone or the Google app on an iPhone, including innocuous ones like Inbox by Gmail.

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Google Maps adds ‘wheelchair accessible’ routes’ for improved mobility [Video]

Ben Schoon Mar 15 2018 - 1:05 pm PT

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Few will argue if you tell them Google Maps is the best navigation service, and it’s continually getting better all the time. Today, Google is bringing a new feature to Maps to improve its functionality for wheelchair users.

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Google Maps is powering the upcoming wave of real-world, Pokemon Go-like games

Abner Li Mar 14 2018 - 1:25 pm PT

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In retrospect, Pokémon Go in 2016 popularized the trend of real-world mobile games that are now intersecting with the augmented reality push on both Android and iOS. Google is now capitalizing on this wave by opening up the real-time updates and location data already found in Maps to game developers.

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Google’s ‘Plus Codes’ are an open source, global alternative to street addresses

Abner Li Mar 13 2018 - 1:13 am PT

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Google frequently touts that the “next billion users” will come from developing nations with different focuses and needs. To that end, the company has developed a number of optimized services, with one being a “simple and consistent addressing system that works across India and globally.

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How to drive as Mario on Google Maps

Justin Duino Mar 9 2018 - 11:54 pm PT

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To celebrate Mario day (March 10, Mar10), Nintendo and Google partnered up to allow drivers to roll through the streets as the little plumber. Here’s how to drive as Mario on Google Maps on Android and iOS…

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Starting today, Google Maps will let you navigate as Nintendo’s Mario all week

Ben Schoon Mar 9 2018 - 9:28 am PT

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After a teaser and some early users reports earlier today, Google has officially announced a new event for Google Maps in celebration of Mario Day.

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Google teases March 10th ‘Mario Day’ event on Maps as it starts popping up for some users

Ben Schoon Mar 9 2018 - 7:24 am PT

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Google Maps often ties in with pop culture for special events or easter eggs, and apparently, there’s another one on the way.

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Explore Disney parks with Street View in Google Maps

Justin Duino Mar 6 2018 - 3:29 am PT

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Street View within Google Maps has always been a fun and easy way to virtually walk through the streets of different cities and towns. Now, Google has sent a camera crew into Disneyland and Disney World to capture the magic found within 11 Disney Parks…

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Google marks a significant return to China with Maps relaunch for web, iOS [Update: Nope]

Abner Li Jan 15 2018 - 11:46 am PT

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Update: According to a Google spokesperson, the company has not made any announcements or changes to Maps for China. A web version has been available in the country “for years.” Nikkei was also incorrect about the launch of an iOS client on Apple’s App Store, with no Android app either.

In recent months, Google’s presence within China has increased following its 2010 exit over a refusal to self-censor content. Today, the company is taking a big step with the launch of a China-specific version of Google Maps.

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Google Maps Street View and Bing Street View cars cross paths, only one makes it out

Ben Schoon Dec 19 2017 - 10:04 am PT

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Google’s ongoing project with Street View is ambitious, but it’s also not the only one going on at any given time. Microsoft has had its own “Streetside” photography project ongoing for Bing maps and, after a while, cars from those opposing projects crossed paths.

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Google Maps is making public transit easier by telling you when to get off your train/bus

Ben Schoon Dec 12 2017 - 7:44 am PT

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Google Maps has a lot of useful features and it’s constantly improving. Now, Google is preparing to add another useful feature to Maps for those who are regular users of public transit.

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Google Maps for Android adds ‘Motorcycle Mode’ in India, cuts time off of car routes

Ben Schoon Dec 5 2017 - 6:23 am PT

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Methods of transportation often change depending on where you live, and in India, motorcycles are quite prevalent. Now, Google is adding a “Motorcycle Mode” to Maps for Android to assist those users.

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Google Maps picks up a white navigation bar on Android 8.1

Ben Schoon Nov 29 2017 - 8:23 am PT

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Android 8.1 brings a handful of nice tweaks to Oreo, but some of the best ones directly relate to issues with the Pixel 2 XL. One of those is the tweaked navigation bar which can now invert its colors and dim the buttons. Now, Google Maps has been updated to take advantage of that.

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Google Maps updated w/ new icon & color system that better highlights points of interest

Abner Li Nov 15 2017 - 11:02 am PT

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Google Maps across all platforms is getting a significant interface refresh that better highlights relevant information depending on your mode. Announced today, this is primarily achieved thanks to a new and refreshed icon/color system.

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Google Search and Maps adding ‘wait time’ estimates for your favorite restaurants

Abner Li Nov 7 2017 - 7:20 am PT

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Popular Times in Google Search and Maps uses crowdsourcing to conveniently determine whether locations, like stores or movie theatres, are busy. As such, users can use this information to better schedule their visits. Now, the feature is adding wait times for your favorite restaurants.

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You can now create and share Google Maps lists from the web

Ben Schoon Nov 6 2017 - 7:26 am PT

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About a year ago Google debuted the ability to create custom lists in Google Maps, and a couple months after that, it opened up to more users. Strangely, though, the functionality was only available on mobile devices. Now, though, that’s changed as lists have finally made their debut on the desktop.

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Country-specific Google Search results are no longer determined by the top-level domain

Abner Li Oct 27 2017 - 9:49 am PT

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Searching, especially on mobile, is increasingly based on your location. For Google Search and Maps, specific service is determined by the country you’re in. However, in a change today, country-specific services no longer require that users visit a regional version of Google.

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Lyft is making it a whole lot easier for drivers to use Google Maps

Ben Schoon Oct 13 2017 - 7:20 am PT

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Google Maps is the best tool for navigation — there’s just no argument there. Thus, it should come as no surprise that drivers who work for services such as Lyft prefer to use Google’s service to get their passenger(s) to their destination. Now, Lyft is making that a lot easier by integrating its driver application with Maps.

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Google Maps for Android rolling out new FAB for switching map layers, overlays

Abner Li Sep 25 2017 - 9:53 am PT

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In recent months, the Google Maps interface on mobile has seen a number of changes, in particular a new bottom bar for directions and finding interesting places around you. The latest change adds a third FAB to the app’s main screen for switching between map layers.

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Video content is now rolling out to Google Maps

Joe Maring Sep 14 2017 - 1:02 pm PT

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Maps is one of Google’s many services that seems to get new little updates all the time. Users have been able to add photos of locations on Maps for a while now, but Google is now taking things to the next level by allowing for videos to be uploaded as well.

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Google Maps working w/ Florida to mark roads closed by Hurricane Irma in real-time

Abner Li Sep 7 2017 - 8:57 am PT

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Approximately two weeks after Hurricane Harvey, another major storm is expected to make landfall this weekend in Florida. Following relief efforts in Texas, Google Maps will be marking closed roads in real-time to help with evacuation efforts.

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Google is calling on Local Guides to add wheelchair accessibility info to Google Maps

Joe Maring Sep 7 2017 - 5:37 am PT

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Google Maps might seem like a basic turn-by-turn navigation system to some people, but as we know, the service goes much deeper than that. One of Maps’ best features is providing quick and accurate info on businesses/institutions in your area, and now, Google is making a push for getting more wheelchair accessibility information added to these establishments all across the world.

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First major upgrade to Google Street View cars in eight years promises higher-res images

Abner Li Sep 5 2017 - 8:47 am PT

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Google revealed today that the Street View cameras that sit atop the roofs of vehicles that roam and catalogue the world have received a quality bump. While this results in higher resolution images, it also means better data for its image recognition systems.

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Google Maps’ picture-in-picture functionality coming soon to all Android Oreo devices

Joe Maring Sep 2 2017 - 4:54 pm PT

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A host of new features were discovered in a recent teardown of version 9.60 of Google Maps — including picture-in-picture for navigation, the ability for local guides to publish videos, food reviews, and more. Picture-in-picture (PiP) functionality is currently only been available after first entering a key code, but it looks like the full public rollout is coming soon.

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