Google Maps is the ultimate map app on Android, but it’s not the only one. Without going any further, Huawei chose to create its own mapping application, Petal Maps, and since its initial launch, it has not stopped improving it with new features that sometimes they even outperform Google Maps.
As an example, here we list eight Petal Maps functions that we would like to see also on google maps, to a greater or lesser extent. Petal Maps copied quite a lot of stuff from Google Maps and maybe it’s time for Google to do the same.
Zooming in roundabouts
“At the next roundabout, take the fourth exit” is something that is not always as clear as one would like. Huawei Petal Maps a a curious zoom in the roundabouts which appears at the top of the screen, and although I thought it was a bug the first few times I saw it, it’s actually very useful.
Of course, if Google Maps were to be integrated, it would have to be optional, because there will be those who prefer the usual mode and it bothers them, but this zoom allows us to see it much more clearly which road and which exit we should take At the round-about.
The arrows
Petal Maps love arrows, while in Google Maps there are hardly any beyond those indicated in the indications at the top of the window. There will be those who think these arrows are boring, but the truth is that on some occasions they are very useful.
Where Google Maps only uses lines, Petal Maps puts arrows everywhere, both on the line itself and before each prompt. It’s a little more overloaded, yes, but it seems to me that it also helps us to better understand the route and the indication that follows.
progress bar
Another small cosmetic change that is found in Petal Maps and other navigation apps, but not Google Maps, is the progress bar. In Petal Maps we can see it on the right side of the window and it helps us to indicate at a glance where we are on the route.
in the same bar we also see the state of the trafficwhich helps us know what awaits us, without having to review the whole route and its traffic, by manipulating the map.
satellite information
How is the GPS on your mobile? Google Maps barely tells you this, beyond that the location point becomes a smaller or larger circle. With Petal Maps you don’t need to install any additional app to see the satellites around you as it is included.
Touching the satellite icon opens a full view with all visible satellites in the sky and their type, but also includes satellite data. positioning accuracy at that time, in meters.
Measurement of area and perimeter
With Google Maps you can measure distances from one point to another Since the last update of Petal Maps, in this application it is also possible to calculate the perimeter and area, in a very simple way. It’s not something we’ll be using every day and probably only serves to satisfy our curiosity, but it’s an addition that Google Maps wouldn’t miss.
more custom cars
After many years where the arrow on Google Maps was the only thing that could represent on the map, since 2020, Google has been offering us customization, with three 3D cars. In the occasional Easter egg we got an extra car, but they always ended up disappearing.
I’m not saying that Google Maps should become Waze, but with three 3D cars already, why not add more? In Petal Maps many cars are available and some of them get unlocked by reaching a certain level, which is a good idea to entice users to “work for Google”.
The weather
Google Maps and weather information is quite inconsistent. You will see it if you open the information of a city, but in no case does it show on the map, despite the fact that today there are countless layers. Petal Maps a a cape for the weather.
Weather information from Petal Maps it’s quite done, showing from the current situation to heat maps and precipitation. I wouldn’t mind having this on Google Maps.
personalized reviews
Finally, Petal Maps settings allow us to choose quite precisely how many reviews do we want to receive before taking a tour. For example, we can allow it to notify us when there are 1 kilometer, 500 meters, 300 meters, 150 meters and 80 meters to go, or only some of them.
En Google Maps we don’t have this optionso we have to settle for the frequency of ads that Google has deemed appropriate, whether they seem too many or too few.
Picture | Lwcy on Pixabay
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