Google can’t help but announce new features for Google Maps. The maps app has been the target of a bunch of news which got it in shape for the Christmas period. And it’s easy for you to have missed some of these new features, since there are so many of them.
Google Maps is reinforced for the Christmas period with new features in public transport, search, navigation, immersive mode and others, moving even further away from other competing map apps such as Waze or Petal Maps.
Report delays on public transport
The first novelty concerns public transport, where Google Maps will allow us to collaborate to report delays. Until now, all the reports we could send to Google Maps were based on driving directions and not public transportation.
Concretely, by touching a public transport stop, we can report delays on one of these lines, thus putting the notice to other users. This information is compared to that provided by official agencies such as Renfe or the CRTM of Madrid.
Stops along the route
For driving directions, Google Maps will help us suggest interesting places to stop along the way more automatically and completely than in previous route searches, where we had to search more specifically for what we were looking for.
The concept is this: when you choose a route, you will see Suggestions for stopping places such as restaurants or places of interestwhich you can add to your route with the press of a button, after viewing its details.
Better searches with Gemini
If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, you can use Gemini’s artificial intelligence to locate sites related to your tastes. Basically, you can ask Gemini anything, like asking it to guide you to the best kebab in your neighborhood.
Better yet, once Gemini gives you the results on Google Maps, You can ask more questions about this to narrow down the results. The recommendations given by Gemini on Google Maps are based on user opinions and ratings.
Improved navigation
One improvement of Google Maps is that it is finally shows more visually which path we are onin places where enhanced navigation is enabled. According to Google, in approximately 30 metro areas for now and with plans to expand to more regions in the future. Improved navigation shows the lane we are in in more detail, as well as pedestrian crossings and other signs directly on the map.
Report bad weather
In time for winter, Google Maps is also enabling another type of incident, that of weather incidents to report snow, flooding or low visibility road conditions.
Immersive Mode Improvements
Google also had time to improve one of the most futuristic features of Google Maps, the immersive view. This vision has expanded to more cities (now 150 in total) and now includes new categories, such as college campuses. It also offers a new level of detail in routesadds parking instructions and warnings about difficult turns.
Shopping search
Can you imagine using Google Maps to search for socks? Well, something like this is possible, since Google announced the possibility of use Google Maps in your purchases, to search for specific products on sale in a location.
For example, you can use Google Maps search to search stores in an area that sell what you are looking for then get the fastest route to reach them and purchase the product.
Cover image | Generated with AI
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