Google Maps’ incident reporting adds slowdown option for traffic jams
Google Maps is expanding its report button to include slowdowns for when traffic is at a crawl or has ground to a halt. Incident reports landed on Google Maps at the start of this year and allows drivers to share other traffic information such as accidents and speed traps.
Google Maps adds Lime bike and scooter feature to more cities globally
Google Maps recently added a feature that helps you find Lime bikes and scooters more easily. Following a limited launch, the company has rolled it out to more than 80 cities globally. The feature also offers information such as how long it’ll take to walk to the two-wheeler, ride cost, and journey time.
Google Earth spills the beans, reveals Taiwan’s secret military bases
The latest Google Earth 3D Maps update has accidentally exposed the locations of Taiwan's most secret military bases to the public. The locations available in full three-dimensional detail include a facility which houses Patriot missiles and its National Security Bureau.
Google Maps AR mode previewed, now in testing with small group of users
Google Maps AR mode is expected to launch to the public soon, as it has been rolled out to a small group of users for testing. The Wall Street Journal previewed the augmented reality feature, which provides directions to the user's entered destination in the form of on-screen arrows.
Google Maps will now help drivers stay within speed limits, avoid speed traps
Google Maps will now start showing speed limits and speed camera locations, so that drivers will not be flagged for speeding tickets. The new features arrive to the app years after they were introduced in Waze, which Google acquired in 2013 for about $1 billion, with no need to update Google Maps.
Popular Android navigation apps are just Google Maps with ads, researcher says
A malware researcher found that 19 free Android navigation apps on the Google Play Store were nothing more than Google Maps, but with ads. One of the apps asked for a payment to remove the ads, while some were security risks as they asked for access to services that navigation apps do not need.
Google’s new Street View backpack offers better imagery in a lighter package
Higher-quality imagery is coming to Street View thanks to a new design for Google's Trekker backpack. The kit, which enables Street View to capture imagery from more places, now has better-quality camera sensors and is lighter than before. Google rebuilt the kit after listening to feedback from users.
Google Maps makes it easier than ever to find a Lime bike or scooter
Google Maps has added a new feature that helps you find a Lime bike or scooter in just a few taps. It also lets you know the estimated cost of your trip and the approximate time of arrival. The feature currently works in 11 U.S. cities served by Lime, with more coming next year.
Google Maps makes reviews more useful with hashtag support
In its latest grab from the world of social media, Google Maps now supports hashtags in reviews for businesses. Initially for Android only, the hashtags can be added to reviews both new and old. Google Maps also recently made it possible for users to follow their favorite businesses, and message them, too.
You can now message businesses straight through Google Maps
Google has been updating Maps with a ton of new features over the past few months, and now it's back with another one -- the ability for users to message businesses directly through the Maps app. Businesses can accept messages and reply to customers through the My Business app.
Google Maps tests feature that will help drivers avoid crashes, speed traps
Google Maps is testing a new feature in navigation mode that allows drivers to report crash and speed trap information to help the app plan the most efficient route for others in the area, or warn them of approaching hazards. Waze, which Google owns, already offers such a feature.
Google Maps will now tell you about special offers from your favorite places
Google Maps for Android now lets you follow your favorite store, restaurant, or other business so you can hear about offers, events, or updates that it thinks you might like to know about. It'll also start highlighting the locations of new businesses so you can keep tabs on your changing neighborhood.
Google Maps brings its real-time journey-tracking feature to iPhone
It's been available on Android since last year, and now Google Maps has brought its real-time journey-tracking feature to iOS. The useful feature, which lets you choose who to share a journey with, can be enabled in just a few taps, and tracking ends automatically when you arrive at your destination.
Google Maps adds new features to help make your commute less dreadful
Regardless of how close you live to your office, commuting is never fun -- there's always either an unexpected delay or traffic jam. That's why Google Maps is attempting to make it easier -- from live updates for public transportation to built-in music controls, the update brings along a few useful tools.
Google Maps now has group polling to help you decide where to eat
Dealing with a group of people can be hard work sometimes -- and that's before you need to decide where to eat. Don't worry, Google is adding a new feature that should make it easier to decide where to chow down. Google Maps for iOS and Android will now feature group polling tools for easy decisions.
Google tracks your location — even when you deny it permission
According to a new investigation by the Associated Press, Google is tracking your location -- even when you tell it not to. The findings prove that many Google services on both Android and iPhones store location data, regardless of whether privacy settings say otherwise.
Google Maps’ location sharing now lets you track battery status
With Google Maps, you can find directions and also share your location with others. The company is now rolling out a new feature within the app -- the ability to share your battery level. When sharing your location, you'll be able to see a friend or family member's battery status as well.
New Google Maps update is rolling out with location-based recommendations
Google showed off a new version of Maps at Google I/O 2018, and now that redesign is finally rolling out. The new version of Maps brings with it a number of great features, including personalized recommendations based on your location history, and a "For you" tab that shows you new restaurants.
Google Street View gives woman a special gift — an image of her late mother
A former Florida woman hoping for a little piece of home got it. Thanks to modern technology and infrequently updated Street View imagery, when Denise Underhill decided to check out her mother's old home using the mapping service, she saw not just her mother's house, but her mother as well.
Grab your helmet: Google Maps for motorcycles is coming
After testing in India in 2017, Google Maps for motorcycles has now rolled out in eight more countries in Eastern Asia. No news on when motorcycle travel routing will be an option in the U.S., but now that Google has released the feature in the largest bike markets, Europe and the Americas could be next.
Love Waze’s incident reporting feature? Lucky you, it’s coming to Google Maps
What you love best about Waze is now coming to Google Maps, and it's about time. Five years after the tech giant acquired the Israeli navigation app, it's finally adopting some of its most popular features, most notably incident reporting. Users began spotting the new option on their Android apps a few days ago.
Google Maps on Android no longer lets you book Uber rides
Early last year, Google announced that Google Maps would allow customers to book rides straight from the Maps app. Now, however, it seems as though that feature has been removed. It's currently unclear exactly why Google removed the feature from Google Maps, but it could have been Uber's decision rather than Google's.
After being down for a few hours, Apple’s Maps app is working again
If you're looking for the fastest route to work, you may want to try out Google Maps this morning. This morning iPhone users worldwide reported problems with the default Maps app on iOS and MacOS. After nearly four hours of downtime Apple restored Maps service to iOS and MacOS users.
Bye Apple Maps, hello Waze: CarPlay to support third-party navigation apps
Everybody loves CarPlay, but not everybody is as fond of using Apple Maps to get around. At the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, California, Apple announced that CarPlay in iOS 12 will offer support for third-party navigational apps like Google Maps and Waze.
Augmented reality’s latest trick? Simplifying directions on Google Maps
At Google I/O, the company gave us a sneak peek at what's yet to come from Google Maps, and no matter how nonexistent your sense of direction might be, Google can help. Plus, there are a slew of new features for discovering new local restaurants, as well as party planning tools newly at your disposal.
Which way is which? Here’s how to quickly calibrate the Google Maps compass
Google Maps is a fantastic tool to make sure you're headed the right way when you're in an unfamiliar place -- but how do you know your little indicator is pointing the right way? Calibrating your Google Maps app sounds difficult, but it really isn't. Here's how to easily calibrate Google Maps.
Google Maps users navigating through more scams and fake content
Volunteers who spend much of their time helping to build Google Maps claim the popular online tool is facing a growing threat from scammers and others posting fake content. Two reports over the weekend highlight a number of issues with the service, though Google insists it's working hard to clear the bogus data.
Where’s Waldo? He’s hiding out in Google Maps for the next few days
Where's Waldo? He's hiding out on Google Maps and you can find him for yourself thanks to Google's latest minigame.
Google Maps for iPhone now shows you restaurant wait times
Hate waiting in line for a seat at a restaurant? Google Maps for iPhone now offers all the information you need to help you save time.
‘The Walking Dead: Our World’ AR game unleashes zombies in your neighborhood
Taking advantage of the new Google Maps game tools, the upcoming augmented reality game based on The Walking Dead brings hordes of zombies to your doorstep.
Google adds wheelchair-accessible routes to Google Maps
Google has officially introduced "wheelchair accessible" routes in Google Maps, making it easier for those with mobility needs to travel using public transit.
Google Maps is open to mobile AR game developers using Unity
Google said that it opened its Google Maps doors to developers of mobile augmented reality games, granting access to all that mapped data.
Blue shell your commute: Mario Kart temporarily races onto Google Maps
Nintendo and Google have teamed up for Mario Day, March 10, to temporarily add Mario Kart to the Google Maps app for iOS and Android.
Google Maps could soon let you share battery status along with location
A recent APK teardown of the Google Maps 9.71 beta suggests that the app may soon show your smartphone's battery stats when you share your location