Thanks, among other things, to the growing and widespread use of functions based on artificial intelligence, Google Maps continues to evolve and be enriched with new features and options that gradually make it a more efficient and versatile tool.
Recently, there have been Waze alerts directly on Maps, indications of the presence of stairs along walking routes, an accident reporting system and various other new features, some of which will be available soon.
More “informed” navigation with Google Maps
To improve Maps, Google is introducing new features and options that help the app provide a clearer, simpler and more informed user experience. Starting with new options for driving in unfamiliar locations, with multiple exits, lanes and junctions, which are now displayed more clearly on the map. This new functionality is currently limited to around thirty metropolises, but will soon be available elsewhere, both on Android and iOS.
Idem. It is not yet available in France, only in the United States, for the moment, but the integration of Gemini, Google’s artificial intelligence system with which to draw inspiration to find ideas for places to visit and things to do, a system that provides this and other information by answering the user’s questions, directly through voice in natural language, will be useful for this.
On the other hand, Google has already introduced other functions to stay informed, such as the option to indicate the presence of stairs along walking routes, or the possibility of seeing and reporting flooded, unpaved roads , low visibility and other disruptions caused by weather events. Real-time alerts from Waze (also a Google service) also come to Google Maps, enriching the navigation system with other useful information about the presence of accidents, roadblocks and other events. In this regard, options for reporting accidents and other problems on the route are also rolling out to Maps for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (and Android Automotive).
In addition to these useful functions, Google Maps for iOS has also been offering for a few weeks the possibility of changing the car icon by choosing the color and type: in addition to the red car, the yellow SUV and the green van already present, the icons of a sedan, compact car, SUV, Jeep and sports car have also been added. To change it, simply tap the blue arrow icon that appears while navigating and select the alternative icon of your choice, an option that will soon be available on Google Maps for Android.
Have you arrived at your destination?
Still from the United States (and also Canada in this case), a very useful new feature of Google Maps: the possibility of reserving parking directly from Google Maps (or Google Search) via SpotHero, a parking service. Well-known online parking reservation, also available as an app for Android Auto. There are also different filters (wheelchair access, charging stations, etc.) and the ability to choose preferred dates and times so you can find and reserve parking in advance more easily.
The new deployment phase function is also useful: once you arrive at your destination, it shows the building and entrance of the arrival location, as well as nearby parking lots. After parking, Google Maps also takes care of recording the location of the parking lot and, if you wish, offers you the option of walking to the entrance following the normal directions or using the Augmented reality navigation option. And if one has to take public transport, the recently introduced delay alerts and helpful details such as the entrance to metro stations also come in handy.
The new Google Maps destination guide
Google also recently announced an update to Immersive View, the option that uses artificial intelligence for immersive visualization of certain places, now available in new cities and new locations, more than 150 new metropolises, including Brussels and Frankfurt. This is a function that can be useful for virtually visiting an unknown route or place, but which is also valuable with a vacation perspective to discover various information in a simple and special way.
As always, we would like to point out that most of the new Maps functions introduced by Google are starting to be distributed in the US market. For availability in France and elsewhere, you sometimes have to wait a few weeks or a few months, depending on the case.
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