Google Maps is adding a new “For you” section, but more broadly it is making the service more personal with machine learning to serve better recommendations. The service wants to let users make “better decisions on the go and experience the world in new ways.”
Google has announced today that Google Assistant is coming to Google Maps “this summer.”
More details to come.
Updating…
Google Maps has long been a developer platform where third-parties can build off Google’s location services and data. Today, Google is launching its “next generation” version, beginning with a new name for the simplified service, as well as new use cases.
For Earth Day 2017, Google Earth rather appropriately received a huge revamp that dropped the desktop app for a web client, redesigned the mobile apps, and added several features to better explore the world. A year later, Google is sharing several usage stats for the updated service.
It’s likely that each and every one of us use some form of GPS on our phones at least a few times a week, if not daily. It’s a handy tool, and few do it better than Google Maps. Now, it seems Google is testing out a new method of giving voice-based directions…
Whether you’re going on vacation overseas or just want to be able to navigate around town without draining your data plan, you can download different areas within Google Maps to use while offline. Here’s how.
Google never really stops testing out new designs and tweaks for its various applications, and Google Maps for Android sees a lot of slight changes here and there. Now, it appears Google is testing a new tweak to the navigation UI on Maps, introducing rounded corners.
Search bars are an important part of Google’s apps given that many of its services deal with lookup and finding information. Google Maps for Android is now A/B testing a revamped search box that features a new centered logo.
Over the weekend, Google was found to be giving the police in Raleigh, NC private user location data when served with a search warrant. While this has been done in the hope to catch a criminal, it also ends up giving law enforcement innocent people’s private data just for being in the area.
How do you feel about Google potentially handing over your private location history to the police?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
Google Maps often ties in with pop culture for special events or easter eggs, and apparently, there’s another one on the way.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
