Tag: Google Maps

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Forget About Flat Google Maps, Imagine a 3D Globe

Google Maps has been developing a lot lately in order to remain relevant in this ever-changing world. Besides adding your battery status visibility to the app or incorporating an algorithm that allows it to match you with whichever restaurants you might enjoy, Google ends this week by offering us another surprise.

As frustrated as flat-earthers might feel, Google Maps decided to change perspectives. More exactly, we won’t longer be looking at flat surfaces on our planet; instead the whole thing will change into a 3D globe (or, as Google calls it, 3D Globe Mode). As you probably know, flat maps aren’t exactly right according to scale. On such a map Greenland looks quite as big as Africa, which is ridiculous.

Now, when you zoom out fully, you will be able to see everything at the right scale, approximately. Sure, it may seem to many of you that, at least when compared to the other changes that occurred this week, it’s not that big of an update. How about we try, like Google did, to change our perspective a little bit?

The Earth is a 3D, huge object and for many years we had to use flat representations which may result in confusions similar to Greenland seeming to be just as big as Africa. With this update, Google doesn’t have to adjust a 3D object into a 2D perspective. Another thing that Google might (or not) tell us is that flat-earthers aren’t among them and that’s a bit reassuring.

At least at the moment, you won’t be able to see this 3D globe unless you are using a computer. We don’t know when exactly this change on Google Maps will affect the apps on your smart devices. However, you are curious, then head on to the Google Maps website and have fun with this 3D mode.

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Google Maps Update Download Available with Location Sharing Improvements

Google Maps is one of the apps that are used all around the globe. In 2017 it enabled us to share our location almost in real time with those close to us (as in family and friends, not necessarily in the proximity of us). Switch the calendar to our time and right now Google Maps made it possible to share not just where you are but also how much battery you have left on your phone.

Of course, you might wonder why it is so important to know the battery status of someone. Well, ponder a bit upon it. There are many apps that are capable of sharing location. However, when you run out of battery, those apps are rendered useless, sitting in wait until you are able to reconnect. That’s when you start to worry about your friend and wonder if they don’t have signal, maybe they lost their phone or perhaps someone has stolen it.

That’s why it may be incredibly useful and mind assuring to see someone’s battery status along with their location. When you see that your friend’s phone is about to die, you at least know what are the reason for his sudden silence.

We knew since February that this change on Google Maps was coming. We owe thanks to those at AndroidPolice that spotted this update in the Google Maps APK teardown available then. Since then, more and more people spotted this change on their app, although only now it will be available for almost everyone. Back then there were people who only saw this battery status notification when its level was low.

While it is a completely useful update, Google isn’t the first company to have thought of this. Zenly, who was recently bought by Snapchat, changed its app to include a similar feature all the way back in 2016.

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Google Maps for Web Download Available with New Improvements

With the growing importance of the Google Maps app on mobile devices, no matter if it is Android or iPhone, it is easy to forget that this app was first introduced on the web, where it is still an irreplaceable tool that helps us plan our trips. The web version of Google Maps has seen many new features added recently, and especially one of them would not look out of place on your smartphone or tablet.

With Google Maps you will avoid being late

The new feature, which most of us probably did not notice, will notify you when you have to leave, if you want to make sure that you are not late at your chosen destination. This option, even though it was just introduced on the web version of Google Maps, is something we have already known from the mobile version of the popular digital map.

According to Android Police, it is not known exactly when this feature became available. In January of this year, the notifications related to the Local Guides contributions have started being offered on the web version of Google Maps.

A second feature added to the Notifications toggles

A feature called “Time to leave” is now available in the Notifications toggles in the settings of Google Maps. All you need to do before using it is to simply activate it inside the side menu. You might also get a prompt letting you know about this new option.

Of course, you must be signed into Google Maps in order to use these features. Additionally, you have to agree that Google will have access to your location, otherwise these options will not work. After all, Google has to know where you are to help you travel effortlessly.

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Google Maps: Make the Most out of It with These Next Tips

Google Maps is known as the most popular navigation software. Everyone has heard of it, and it’s understandable, since it reached its 1 billion active users.

It’s a great idea to save your home and work address, as you can quickly get to it while in app. In order to do this, you need to open Google Maps and press on the menu button (the three vertical lines from the top-left corner). From there, get on your places – there you’ll see entries for Work and Home. Now all you have to do it put your addresses there. You can always ask Google Maps to navigate to Work or Home, rather than continually adding the address. Also, if you search for “restaurants near work”, you’ll find the closest ones to your work.

The Google Maps Navigation feature comes with a voice assistant and turn-by-turn directions. However, there’s a shortcut you can get. Search for a place or just touch it on the map and then proceed to hold the blue “Directions” button, that’s placed on the bottom right – now Google Maps will give you the best route and put you right into the Navigation Mode. However, if you need to change the mode of transport, you can just tap it once, choose the mode of transportation that you want, then tap on Start.

You can also share a location, just by tapping and holding on any area to drop a pin. At the bottom of the screen you have the address, which you should tap to expand, then you should tap on Share. A pop-up list of apps will make its appearance and you can choose from that list on which app you want to share your location. If that person cannot find your location, a photo of the building can always help.

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Apple Maps vs. Google Maps – Why Apple Maps Is the One Which You Should Choose

It’s been six years since Apple Maps was launched and many people think it’s the best fit to replace Google Maps.

It has privacy

We all know that Apple and Google have different business models – Maps is the best example of this. For Google, you have something called Google Timeline, which allows you to see where you were in the past. For Apple, you don’t need to sign in to use Maps. All you need to know is created with the help of the data from your device. All the data that Maps collect when you’re using the app (search terms and navigation routing) uses random identifiers to “cover” you. Location is outstanding, and it’s as important to remain unknown to others.

It has Siri

You can now just ask Siri to give you the direction home, without you checking the phone. It’s really helpful to have it in the car while you’re driving. It doesn’t matter if Apple allows the clients to replace Siri with some other default assistant (such as Google or Amazon), Siri will remain the best assistant for those who use iPhone.
It also gives you directions to random addresses, such as 123 Main Street.

It has Apple Watch

Apple Watch may start to disappear, but Apple Maps still remains a built-in and a very helpful feature. When you use your iPhone to navigate in traffic, your Apple Watch will vibrate when you need to take turns. It also works when it comes to walking directions. It’s a win-win.

It has Yelp integration

Apple Maps decided to not waste any time anymore with building a database of company reviews, so it decided to get Yelp integration to deal with that. And it’s understandable, since it has a lot of excellent data on local businesses.

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