Tag: Google Maps

Categories
Tech

Google Maps Tests A New Crash and Speed Camera Reporting Function

Google Maps is testing a crash and speed camera reporting function, one of the features in Waze, the app bought by Google. So, Google has not one, but two main navigation applications, including Google Maps, which it developed from scratch, and Waze, which it bought a few years ago.

The latter has a crucial advantage over Google Maps as it provides real-time traffic information, which is very useful and can be very convenient for getting a route. Traffic information, such as speed cameras, accidents, traffic jams, etc., can be reported directly by other Waze users. And it seems that Google wants to integrate some of these features into Google Maps.

According to Android Police, Google is currently testing a feature that would allow users to report accidents and speed cameras.

Support for incident reporting in Google Maps was first discovered several months ago, but this feature is currently being tested by some Google Maps users, as shown in the following screenshot.

Google Maps Tests A New Crash and Speed Camera Reporting Function

The new crash and speed trap (speed camera) report buttons should appear at the bottom of the maps. That allows users to tell Google if they have witnessed a road slowdown due to an accident or speed camera. The feature only works in navigation mode.

You can only notify a speed camera if you follow the path taken by the application. Since we do not need directions to find our place of residence, this means that we cannot map a radar if the navigation is off. Waze, on the other hand, allows you to report speed cameras even if the users are not in navigation mode.

The new Google Maps functionality is still being tested, and it is not known when it will be available to all Google Maps users. If you drive a lot and can use more live updates on what’s going on around you, then Waze can be a much better solution than Google Maps for reporting crashes and speed cameras.

Categories
Tech

Apple Maps Recent Updates Aim To Make The App Compete With Google Maps

Apple Maps, Apple’s navigation application, has been years behind Google Maps, but the latest changes that Cupertino-based company has brought to its app throughout 2018 are making Apple Maps more similar to Google Maps than ever.

The cartographer and former Apple employee Justin O’Beirne has been following the evolution of the two before-mentioned navigation applications and compared them to reveal how Apple Maps updated to recover the gap between it and Google Maps, probably the best navigation app in the world. At first glance, the main novelty is the introduction of more green areas what may seem an insignificant detail, but it involves a considerable amount of new data, too.

The Apple Maps application was launched in 2012, but since Google started to focus more on its Android system, the giant Internet company also centered more on the developing of its own Google Maps navigation application. Steve Jobs accused Google of plagiarism and decided to reduce, as much as possible, his company’s dependence on Google, so Apple began to work on his own mapping software, appearing for the first time as Apple Maps in iOS 6.

Apple Maps Updates Help It Get Closer To Google Maps, The Best Navigation App At The Moment

While until now the application had used third-party mapping data, now Apple will use its own infrastructure to turn Apple Maps into a stand-alone application.

After hard work, we begin to see the changes in Apple Maps, as Apple’s navigation system is now enjoying many updates. Justin O’Beirne assures that after four years of work, Apple’s mapping data cover 3.1% of the land surface of the United States and the main upgrade in Apple Maps is the mapping of large vegetation areas across the US.

In addition to detailing the largest green areas in the US, Apple continues to improve urban centers including streets, buildings, parks, among others. If the Apple Maps keeps on going on the same track, Apple might finally compete with Google Maps which, for the time being, is the best navigation app worldwide.

Categories
News Tech

Google Maps Best Tricks For Mobility and Entertainment in 2018

Before you decide to get out of the house and go to your favorite restaurant for dinner, you can get on Google Maps and see for how long you would need to wait in line until getting in. You can search the restaurant in the app and check for Popular Times. You can then make an estimation of the time wasted waiting and make your plans accordingly.

Add multiple locations

Usually, when you are searching for a destination on Google Maps, it makes a simple plan to get from point A to point B. If you want to make stops during your trip, you can use the Add Stop option in the app which can be found in the menu aka the horizontal dots in the top right corner.

Use street view to travel

If you are curious to see what other people do over the world, you can use Street View to check neighborhoods, but another advantage of this option is that you can see a lot of old photos. Click on the clock-shaped icon in the top left corner after launching Street View in your browser, and from there you can take a look at all the pictures taken by Google for any specific spot.

How steep your bike ride will be  

While riding your bike, you would hate to run into a big hill that you did not know of. Next time you go out for a ride, you can go on Google Maps first and ask for the biking directions. The graph which will appear will show you the steepness of each part of your route, and you will no longer be faced with something unexpectedly.

Measure distance

If you’re using Google Maps in your browser, you can easily measure the distance between any two locations. Right-click somewhere on the map and select “Measure Distance.” Then, click anywhere else to see how far away it is.

It is super easy to make a trip plan based on the distance measured, and Google map can help you do just that. After clicking somewhere on the map, press Measure Distance. After that click anywhere else and you will see how far away that chosen destination is.

Zoom in and out with just one finger

Usually, we would pinch the screen in order to zoom the image, but sometimes we only have on hand that we can use. If you want to use only one finger, you need to tap twice on the screen of your phone, and after that, you need to hold it down on the spot you want to look better at. Google Maps will zoom that image in, and by sliding your finger up and down, you can adjust the scale how you prefer.

Without internet connection

If you do not have the internet or you do not want to use or your data for Google Maps, you can download a map of the area you are traveling to. Go to offline maps and choose from a wide variety of maps that will help you orientate on your next trip. This will help you a lot because it works like a GPS.

Google Maps history

Every location you go to is tracked by Google Maps, but it that sound creepy to you you can always turn this feature off by going to Manage Location History.

Categories
Tech

Google Maps Navigation & Transit (Wear OS) 9.87.0 Beta Available to Download

Google Maps remain the most popular and appreciated navigation system on the Internet. Now, Google Maps Navigation & Transit (Wear OS) 9.87.0 Beta is available to download.

With more than 220 countries and territories mapped, Google Maps maintains its domination in this field on the majority of operating systems, keeping its supremacy over its competitors, and we talk about some fierce competition here, such as the Waze app on iOS systems.

Google Maps has a lot of useful features

Google Maps helps people by offering real-time GPS navigation and traffic and transit information, while users can explore local neighborhoods and find the best dining places no matter what part of the world you’re in.

Also designed to help users beat traffic and save time by offering real-time traffic conditions and rerouting based on live traffic, incidents, and road closures, Google Maps is also an excellent asset for the drivers from all over the world. Additionally, with Google Maps you can find local restaurants to eat and go out with your friends or event that matter for you.

However, the best features remain offline navigation and, of course, the Street View function that allows you to visit any place in the world like you’d actually be there. Also, the indoor maps feature is handy for finding your way while you’re inside big places like airports, malls, and stadiums.

Google Maps Navigation & Transit (Wear OS) 9.87.0 Beta is now available to download

Just recently the new Google Maps Navigation & Transit (Wear OS) 9.87.0 Beta rolled out, and it comes with a series of tweaks under the hood and some bug fixes.

This version, as its name says, is designed for Wear OS and it is a Beta version which means that some of the features and functions are still only for testing purposes, so some of them might not reach the final version.

Therefore, to get the new Google Maps Navigation & Transit (Wear OS) 9.87.0 Beta and become a Beta tester for Google, you can follow this link and follow the instruction there.

Categories
News Tech

Waze vs. Google Maps – Which One Is Better For Navigation

Waze and Google Maps are the top mapping apps, despite the fact that they are not very similar. Google Maps has been on the market for quite some time, while Waze has less experience. Nonetheless, both apps are popular, so you might be wondering which one is the best one.

Waze was created for drivers

Waze was designed for people who drive and it comes with plenty of features that will prove useful in traffic. For example, Waze will let you know if there are is any law enforcements activity or if there are any accidents.

Additionally, drivers will see the speed limit on screen and if you go over the limit, the app will notify you. This makes it a lot easier to respect the legal limit, no matter where you are. It is also incredibly helpful to receive real-time information from other drivers.

Google Maps is more complex

Google Maps continues to expand and add new features. You can use it to learn everything about a location, from its address to photos and descriptions. Google Maps can also be used with various transportation, methods, including public transit.

This application also allows you to download directions for offline use, which can come in handy if you don’t have access to the Internet while you ae traveling. Also, Google Maps offers wait times for restaurants and work hours for all its locations.

To sum up

Waze is an app that was created specifically for drivers, so if you need an app just for driving, this might be the best choice for you. On the other hand, Google Maps offers more and can be used for various other purposes. We recommend you to install both applications and use them in different contexts.

Exit mobile version