Google Maps
Google Maps gaining ‘safe routing’ option to help avoid accidents
Google Maps is set to gain a new “safe routing” option which will take you down less accident-prone roads.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Maps adds ‘Search COVID-19 vaccines’ encouragement
Over the past year, Google has leveraged its large platforms to display useful, pandemic-related information. The latest is a simple encouragement in Google Maps about finding COVID-19 vaccines near you.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle adds COVID restriction alerts, new road-trip mapping features, as vaccines enable safer travel
If you’re like me, the vaccine shot in your arm means you’re looking into finally taking a trip after staying locked down for a year. To help you travel safely and in line with local guidelines, Google will now send you alerts regarding pandemic-related restrictions at your destination along with other handy travel tools for the COVID era.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Maps now lets businesses specify what materials they accept for recycling
In addition to company-wide initiatives and deals, Google is marking Earth Day by letting businesses in Maps and Search specify what recycling is available on site.
Expand Expanding Close[Update: Official] Google Calendar side panel adds useful Google Maps add-on
The side panel in Google Workspace apps provide quick access to Calendar, Keep, Tasks, and most recently Voice. Google Calendar on the web now features an add-on for Google Maps.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Assistant Driving Mode in Maps gets international ‘early preview’
For the past few months, Google has been slowly rolling out its eventual replacement for the phone-based Android Auto experience. The early preview of Assistant Driving Mode is now getting an international launch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps adds indoor AR directions, will favor eco-friendly navigation
Google has announced that Maps will now offer indoor AR directions and can even favor eco-friendly navigation when pointing you from location to location.
Expand Expanding Close[Update: Now available] Google Maps dark theme for Android officially announced
Since 2019, Google has been rolling out night modes to all of its apps. The last major holdout is Google Maps, but that’s fortunately coming to an end as its dark theme is set to soon launch globally on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps will soon let you leave quick ‘photo updates’ at locations
Google is introducing a new way for Maps users to contribute without having to leave a review. Google Maps photo updates will be available in the coming weeks, while a “Local Love” challenge is kicking off.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Maps getting a more powerful road editing tool on the web
Crowdsourcing plays a big role in keeping Google Maps accurate and current. Google is introducing a more immersive desktop tool to edit roads in Maps over the coming months.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Maps starts showing railroad crossing alerts during navigation
Google Maps is one of the company’s most successful products, and for good reason. The app is useful for more than just getting around, but also for seeing nearby businesses and attractions, as well as live traffic. Now, Google Maps is starting to show railroad crossings too.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can now pay for parking directly from the Google Maps app in more cities
While we’re all traveling a lot less nowadays, public parking is still a part of many people’s daily lives. Today, Google Maps is launching a new feature to make parking a bit easier, and a bit safer, too.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps appears to be testing a new route option UI
With travel currently feeling more like a necessity rather than something you do for fun, you’re probably not using Google Maps as much as you did previously. However, it looks like the Google Maps app on Android is testing a UI refresh for the route option section.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle surveying Android users about Assistant Driving Mode
An “early preview” of Assistant Driving Mode was announced in November, and more people received it at the start of this year. The initial version is more limited than what was demonstrated almost two years ago, and Google is now surveying users about it.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Maps Street View gets split screen UI on Android
Street View launched over a decade ago, and this vast image database is currently powering the Live View AR feature. An update to Google Maps for Android improves the Street View experience by adding a split screen mode.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps on Android Automotive gets better at planning EV charging stops
The two cars that Android Automotive currently powers are both electric. Ahead of Google’s dashboard experience coming to more vehicles, the built-in Google Maps app is improving how you find EV charging stations.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search and Maps will soon list COVID-19 vaccination locations
Google today announced several efforts to aid COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the US. CEO Sundar Pichai announced $150 million in ad grants, while various Google products will soon display local information.
Expand Expanding Close
Meme generator lets you have Bernie Sit anywhere in Google Maps Street View
The Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris was always going to be a momentous occasion, but it saw the unexpected creation of a truly delightful meme involving Senator Bernie Sanders sitting down. A fun meme generator, powered by Google Maps Street View, lets you have Bernie Sit down anywhere in the world.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle reiterates that the Assistant Driving Mode preview is still rolling out
Back in November, Google announced an “early preview” of Assistant Driving Mode in the US. It has officially been “rolling out” since late last year, but most users have yet to receive it. The company today reiterated that the preview is coming.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps ‘2020 Timeline update’ recaps your travels trends
One of the more useful features made possible by enabling Location History on Android is the Google Maps Timeline. In addition to a monthly recap, Google Maps is sending out a “2020 Timeline update” that is obviously impacted by the last 12 months but still provides useful local stats.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps for Android now lets you set an ‘app language’ that differs from device settings
Selecting a language in Android settings applies that choice systemwide. Google Maps now lets you set a language, which can differ from the rest of your phone, for in-app menus, controls, and other settings.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos map view adds satellite layer, integrates your travel ‘Timeline’
Last month, Google briefly mentioned that the Location History-powered Timeline feature in Maps was coming to Photos. The Timeline integration is now rolled out in Google Photos for iOS and Android, along with the ability to change the map layer.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can now submit your own Google Maps Street View photos from Android
Google has upgraded its Street View app on Android to allow you to capture and submit your own Street View photos with nothing more than your phone.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps will let you pin frequent destinations, transit routes with new ‘Go’ tab
Google launched a big Maps redesign in February and just this week introduced a new Community feed. Google Maps is now getting a simple but very useful “Go” tab on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding Close