Three years ago, augmented reality arrived Google Maps to improve the pedestrian navigation thanks to Live Viewa feature that started out as exclusive to the Google Pixel and is currently available on any ARCore-enabled device.
In this article we will see what it is Google Maps Live Viewon which devices it is available and all the possibilities offered by the augmented reality of Google Maps to guide us in the use of the camera of our mobile device.
What is Google Maps Live View?
Google Maps Live View offers us a more precise and visual way to move around a citywhere GPS coverage typically fails the most due to tall buildings, reaching the wrong sidewalks or streets.
To achieve this, Google Maps relies on the sensors of our devices and image recognition so that by simply focusing on our surroundings, Google Maps is able to detect improve the accuracy of our locationand the most important, show in our real world the indications so that it is much clearer to us at which intersection we should turn.
Google Maps Live View It is not designed to be used with the car, so can only be used in pedestrian navigationthat is to say for pedestrian routes.
Availability of live view
Currently Availability of live view is very big. Most of the devices that come to market are compatible with Google’s augmented reality platform called ARCore. To find out if our mobile is compatible with ARCore, the quickest and easiest thing to do is to see if the Google Play Services app for AR is installed on our device. Google also has an updated list of ARCore compatible cell phones.
Besides, Google Maps Live View only available in areas with Cobertura Street Viewsince augmented reality relies on image recognition to know where we are by comparing what our camera shows with millions of Street View images.
How to Use Google Maps Live View
Follow the instructions with Live View
The pedestrian navigation is one of the main characteristics of Google Maps Live View
- He introduces a destiny in the search bar or touch a location on the map.
- Click on How to arrive .
- Select option “On foot”.
- Tap the option Live View.
If it is the first time that we use this option, it is possible that we must accept the authorization of the camera, because we must focus with the camera on our surroundings for Google Maps to locate our location and start showing detailed instructions in augmented reality.
By default we can switch between live view and 2D map view change the phone from portrait to landscape, but from the navigation settingsunder “Pedestrian Navigation Options” we can disable the live view tilt option.
Orient yourself with Live View
Live View It also allows us to orient ourselves to locate landmarks, to know how far is a store, a restaurant, a monument or a city without having to calculate a route. To do this, we simply need to follow these steps:
- He introduces a destiny in the search bar or touch a location on the map.
- Swipe down on your map to view all options.
- Click on the button Live View.
Improve location accuracy with Live View
If we find that the accuracy of our blue point and the compass is very low, we can improve it with Live View so that it places us on the map in the correct position and orientation. For this we must:
- Click on the Blue dot of your position.
- Press on Calibrate.
- Focus on your surroundings with the camera so that Google Maps locates you.
Find people with Live View
Finally, if you have a mobile Google Pixel You can also locate contacts who are sharing their location in real-time via Live View, to do this you just need to click on their contact photo and touch the option Live View. Augmented reality will guide you and show you distance and position of said contact.
Maps – Navigation and public transport
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