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Google added a new feature this week: My Maps that lets you create, save and share custom maps. If you’re planning a trip, wedding, family gathering or other activity that involves getting from Point A to Point B, you’ll want to check this out.
How to Create a Google My Map
Head to drive.google.com and click on the red New button at the top of the left menu. A pop-up menu will appear. Click More at the bottom and another pop-up menu will appear. Click on Google My Maps to create your map.
A map of the world will appear. Type in an address to begin creating your map.
[note]This feature is rolling out with an update to Google Drive. If you don’t have Google My Maps yet, check back later. [/note]
Click the location marker on the map and a small window will appear with an option to Add to Map. Public places may also have additional information such as ratings and links to a Google Plus page.
You can customize My Maps by adding directions, points of interest and location markers in different colors and shapes (pin, star, square or circle). Add lines to show custom routes or add Google’s step-by-step directions.
Saving and Sharing Google My Maps
When you’ve completed My Map, click the green Share button in the upper right corner of the map. You can give a title and description to your map which is automatically saved to your Google Drive account.
You’re given options to share your Map with others via:
- Gmail
- Google Plus
Google also gives you a link to share your Map.
From this box you can also set the privacy rights of your Map. The default is that your Map can only be seen by the specific people you share the link with but you can also choose to share your Map with Anyone with the Link or the Public.
Accessing My Maps
You can access My Maps on Google Drive on your computer and mobile devices. My Maps are available both online and when you’re offline without an Internet connection.
Organizing My Maps
You can organize My Maps into folders in Google Drive. Create a My Maps folder and then create sub-folders for different destinations or types of trips.
Uses for Google My Maps
You’ll probably find loads of uses for Google Maps. For example, let’s say a friend is willing to share her super-secret shortcut that will cut your commute time in half. She can create a Google My Map, draw her route, and share it with you privately so you can follow her directions on your way to work (without letting the rest of the world know about the Map).
Perhaps you’re meeting friends who are flying into Philadelphia for a Day of Fun! You can create a My Map with directions from the airport to the Liberty Bell, then to the Kimmel Center for a Philadelphia Orchestra concert, then to Lincoln Financial Field where they can root for the Philadelphia Eagles!
If you’re planning a wedding, you can create a My Map to send to guests, complete with locations and directions for the wedding and reception locations as well as places of interest in the area.
Plan for a vacation by creating a My Map for your destinations. After you return from your trip add favorite restaurants, museums, shops and other treasures you discovered while there. When a friend wants to visit the same place you can share your My Map to share the fun!
Heading out on a college tour trip? Create a My Map to organize your campus visits, hotels and sightseeing spots. Share your College My Maps with other families who want to visit the same schools.
Your Thoughts
Do you have access to Google My Maps yet? Have you created any Maps? How will you use Google My Maps? Let us know in the Comments section below!
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Game of Thrones Compendium
Winter is coming…
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you’ve probably been craving a fix before the next season debuts on HBO. Good news, a Game of Thrones Compendium is in the works from HBO. Filled with fan contributions, the Compendium will offer fan-created works in these categories:
- Art
- Music
- Costume
- Food
- Craft
- Analysis
From HBO: “Through this unifying gateway, fans can contribute original Game of Thrones® themed creative content that showcases their knowledge and expertise of the series giving fans the opportunity to literally ‘write the book’ about the world of Westeros. Artists, craftsman, musicians, foodies, writers and more will have their work displayed in a fully searchable, fluid gallery experience.”
Submissions begin on December 19 and will continue until March 28, 2015. A panel of judges will review submissions for inclusion into a printed Game of Thrones Compendium which will be available in December of 2015. If your submission is chosen for inclusion in the printed compendium you’ll receive a free copy and an author credit.
You can find out more information at Game of Thrones Compendium website.
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* Road image (edited) courtesy of Tom Haynes via Flickr and Creative Commons
You so nice method is you give information step by step. It’s very cool. Google map allow save location on map help the people. and your article is very informative. So thanks for sharing this article.
Hi Bheem, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, Google My Maps is a very cool new feature, but finding where it is can be a little tricky. I like to show readers how to use tech so they can make the most of it.
I appreciate your visit and comment, Bheem!
Google My Maps new way to have customized maps which i came to know after stumbling upon your site. It’s pretty good thing to make customized maps for a vacation and share them with the family members which makes the overall travelling experience more fun 🙂
Hi Lakshman, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! You’re right, there are many uses for Google My Maps that you can create and share with others. The next time you want to coordinate travel with others, you can make it easy by creating a My Map to make sure everyone knows where they’re going!
Thanks for stumbling by and sharing your comment, Lakshman!
It’s another learning method about this New Google My Maps Lets You Create, Save and Share Custom Maps. This is very helpful and useful. I learned and many great tips here. Thanks for sharing the article. Great post!
Hi Alexis, I’m so glad that you found this information helpful and useful. Thanks for taking the time to let us know!
Hi Carolyn,
Google My Maps is quite exciting and have a lot to offer. I loved the idea of drawing our own map and share it with people. Its something creative. Though, I am not good at direction but I hope my friends can help me out easily now with that. You don’t know how much I am glad to get a news like this. I was trying to install a GPS in my car as Access to internet is not possible with me. So, I can now checkout the directions offline too.
Hi Aditya, Yes, it’s great to be able to create custom maps and access them offline now. You’re right, there are times when we can’t access the Internet or don’t want to use the data when we’re away from Wi-Fi. It’s great that Google has this option now for us.
I’m so glad you’re excited about this news, Aditya. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here!