Google Maps: New travel features
With Google Maps, you get more than just a street atlas on your smartphone. During the next few weeks, the map service will offer new features. The information is of particular interest to travellers. Google Maps: Even easier travel with new features
Getting a sense of being there with an Immersive View
Wouldn’t it be great if you could beam yourself to a place like in “Star Trek” or “Back To The Future”? It is possible with Google Maps. Immersive views give users the sense of being right there as they explore a place with the navigation service. Exactly how does it work? In a digital model, billions of street view and aerial photos are combined using artificial intelligence and computer vision. Enriching it with information like weather, traffic, and occupancy.
As a first step, Google Maps plans to display more than 250 photorealistic aerial photographs of landmarks, including the Tokyo Tower, the Acropolis in Athens, and Big Ben in London. Of course, science fiction fans won’t be the only ones to enjoy it. The immersive View lets travellers know what to expect while still exploring what restaurants and cafes the area offers.
Live View: Augmented Reality Navigation
With live View, you can also explore the area. With this feature, travellers can locate ATMs and restaurants nearby using artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Then, when you’re on the go, pick up the phone. A Google Map shows what time a place is open if it is occupied, and how well it is rated.
Users can navigate to their destination by following the arrows on the digital map. Several cities have recently launched the Live View feature, including London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, San Francisco and Tokyo. In addition, over 1000 airports, train stations and shopping centres will be using Live View in the coming months, including Barcelona, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Melbourne, Paris, Prague, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, and Taipei.
Route overview: Now also on a lock screen
You can follow the route overview on Google Maps from the lock screen.
In navigation mode, users can see updated arrival times and where to turn next, information previously available only when they unlocked their phones, opened the app and used the navigation function.
Additionally, Google Maps automatically updates your route if you change your mind. Android and iOS users can use these easy-to-read directions in a few months.
Electric cars: No detours to the nearest charging station
A growing number of people are becoming interested in electromobility. This is also something Google Maps wants to consider. Consequently, the mapping service will introduce features specifically for electric car owners whose vehicles have an integrated Google function.
- In addition, Maps will suggest charging stops for shorter trips based on factors like traffic conditions, charge levels, and expected energy consumption.
- Using the “very fast charging” filter, travellers can locate charging stations with 150 kilowatts or more. In less than 40 minutes, many cars charged.
- In the search results, you can also see charging stations. A Google-integrated function in the vehicle is not necessary for this service.
Everything at a glance!
For some time, Google has been creating an online tool for travel planning google.com/travel – initially as a separate app. Google has now integrated the service. Flights, hotel searches, and trips have been integrated more closely in recent years. Google Maps can now be accessed as well. Reservations made through google.com/travel (including restaurants and hotels) can also be viewed on the map.
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Photo by henry perks on Unsplash
