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You may think Google Maps is already filled with useful information, such as how crowded a place is right now, where bike-sharing is available, and whether a transit station is wheelchair-accessible. And yet Google keeps innovating, adding new features to its Maps app to make it even more useful for you.
Google Maps announced seven new tools for its app that will make it easier for you to travel. With the updates, users can see the weather and air quality for a location, find the most fuel-efficient route, see their preferred mode of transportation first, and get grocery deliveries through the app. You can even get live AR (augmented reality) guidance in the updated Maps app.
With these updates, Google Maps can become even more useful for you.
Live View Augmented Reality Directions
If you’ve ever struggled to find your way around an airport, transit station, or shopping mall, you’ll enjoy the new AR tool in Google Maps called Live View. With this new tool, you’ll be able to hold up your phone and see clear navigation instructions and symbols on top of the view you’re seeing.
No more walking in a direction to see if that’s the correct path to take. Google explained that Live View was developed by using AI (artificial intelligence) “to scan tens of billions of Street View images to understand your orientation. Thanks to new advancements that help us understand the precise altitude and placement of objects inside a building, we’re now able to bring Live View to some of the trickiest-to-navigate places indoors: airports, transit stations and malls.”
With Live View, you’ll see the place in front of you with an arrow pointing in the direction you should be walking, along with other instructions. You can use Live View in airports and transit stations to locate the closest elevators and escalators, the departure gate, platforms, baggage claim, check-in counters, ticket offices, restrooms, ATMs, restaurants, and more.
In shopping malls, you can find store and restaurant locations, restrooms, elevators, escalators, exits, and more.
Google Maps Live View is now available on Android and iOS for iPhone and iPad in some malls in Chicago, Long Island, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle. Live View starts rolling out in the coming months in select airports, malls, and transit stations in Tokyo and Zurich, with more cities getting this feature in the future.
Weather and Air Quality
When traveling, the weather and air quality can make a big difference. With a new update, Google Maps can show weather and air quality within the app. No more opening a different app to find out the weather and air quality of a location. Just tap the Layers icon on Google Maps and choose Air quality or Weather.
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Google will be getting its weather and air quality data from partners including The Weather Company, AirNow.gov, and the Central Pollution Board.
Weather and air quality will be available in Google Maps in iOS and Android in the coming months, according to Google. The Maps’ weather layer will be available globally and its air quality layer will first be available in Australia, India, and the U.S., with more countries getting this feature later.
Get the Most Fuel-Efficient Routes
Taking the most fuel-efficient routes can save you money and help save the environment. Win-win!
Google Maps will now be able to show you the most fuel-efficient directions to get you to your destination. And if you can save fuel without spending more time on the road, well, why wouldn’t you?
With fuel-efficient routes, you may be able to extend the battery charge of your electric vehicle. Or postpone a trip to the gas station for your gas-powered vehicle.
According to Google, “Soon, Google Maps will default to the route with the lowest carbon footprint when it has approximately the same ETA as the fastest route. In cases where the eco-friendly route could significantly increase your ETA, we’ll let you compare the relative CO2 impact between routes so you can choose.”
Don’t want the default directions in Google Maps to be the most fuel-efficient route? No worries, you can adjust the default to the fastest route in Settings in the app.
Fuel-efficient routes launch in the app on Android and iOS in the U.S. later this year and will eventually become available globally.
Low-Emission Zones
Some cities have low-emission zones that restrict the types of vehicles which can be driven there. Google Maps will soon be able to show low-emission zones to help you plan your route better.
If you drive a vehicle prohibited in these low-emission zones, you can get directions that avoid these zones, or get suggestions for using alternative modes of transportation.
Google Maps will add low-emission zone alerts in June on iOS and Android in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, and the UK. More countries will get this update after that.
Priority Modes of Transportation
Google Maps currently lists multiple modes of transportation you can choose from when you get directions. But the order of the modes of transportation may not reflect how you actually travel. For example, if you live in a city and never use a car, you may not need to see driving directions first.
With the update to Google Maps, the app will learn your favorite modes of transportation and offer those first.
You’ll be able to compare the available modes and the time your route will take using each of them. Google Maps will show these modes and the times for each in a list.
This feature will be available around the world on Android and iOS in the next few months.
Grocery Delivery
Google Maps is making it easier to find groceries near you that deliver. You even may be able to order grocery delivery using the Google Maps app.
With grocery delivery becoming more popular during the pandemic, Google Maps is releasing an update that will soon show which grocery stores offer delivery.
When you search for a grocery store in your area, Google Maps will show whether it offers delivery and/or pickup. You’ll also be able to see if there are any service fees and the minimum amount for the order. Google Maps will track your order status in the app. If you choose to pick up your groceries, Google Maps can share your ETA and let the store know you’ve arrived.
Initially, grocery delivery information and ordering will be available in the U.S. with Instacart and Albertson grocery stores. Google hopes to add other partners later.
Your Thoughts
Which of these updates to Google Maps is the most helpful to you? Will Live View in Maps be useful for you? Do you like the idea of planning the most fuel-efficient trips? Will you use the weather and air quality layers in Maps?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
Hi Carolyn
Thanks for the tips. I look forward to try the Google Live View, next time I am stuck in an airport, when we can start traveling again.
Hi Thomas, Yes, this new tool from Google can be very helpful when you’re traveling to places after the pandemic. Even places you might once have been familiar with may seem new after the pandemic.