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Out of all of the exciting news from Google’s recent announcements, one of the most exciting was its new Maps. I’ve been testing Google’s new Maps and am impressed with the additional features it offers.
The new Maps can be accessed via an invitation from Google. When I was researching last week’s article, I requested an invitation and got one a few days later. Once you learn about the changes, you’ll want to sign up for an invitation to check out the new Google Maps too.
What’s New with Google Maps
The new Google Maps takes the best features of Google Maps and blends them into a single service, so you get maps, Google Street View and Google Earth on one screen without any downloads required. You get much more information, presented with engaging new views.
The new Google Maps are dynamic – as you click around the screen, the map changes to show you new places of interest, directions, roads, transportation options and nearby places. The new Maps include user and business photos so you can view images without having to leave the site. Six new European countries will have bicycle routes included on the new Maps.
http://youtu.be/THxJHcR1D2c
Search
Google Maps’ search is smarter, showing you recent searches, directions, and transportation options. When you do a search in Maps, results are labeled on the map so you can see their locations. You can filter the results by top reviews or by recommendations from your Google Plus friends.
Click on a road to get to Street View. Below the Street View window is a gallery of images of the area, including Street View images, business photos and photo tours. You can also access Earth View, showing you the satellite image of the area, as well as a 3D rendering of the area.
Information Cards
When you click on a spot on the map, an Information Card will appear that gives you directions, photos, reviews, friends’ recommendations and additional information.
Tilt View
The Google Earth window appears in the lower left corner. Click on it to open the Google Earth view. Use the controls in the lower right corner to zoom in and tilt the map to get a different perspective of the map as if you’re flying above the Earth. Leave yourself some time to try this — it’s very cool.
3D View
You can also zoom in to get a 3D view of your location. You can see buildings and other structures instead of just a flat, two-dimensional map.
GPS Features
You can click on Directions to find out how to get to your location via car, public transportation, bicycle and walking. Public transportation directions show you alternate routes with the estimated travel times and number of transfers for all of your options. You can adjust the time of your departure to see more public transit options.
Maps also updates your estimated travel time based on current traffic conditions and offers to reroute your journey if traffic conditions are causing delays. You can see side-by-side travel times to judge whether you want to take an alternate route.
Recommendations
Google Maps learns what you like and makes smart recommendations for locations based on your likes, your Google Plus friends’ reviews and your past history with Maps. Maps integrates with Google Plus to help learn your interests and tailor its recommendations accordingly.
Deals
Google Maps will also show you deals tailored to your interests. A retailer might offer you a deal when you click on that location.
Signing Up
You can sign up for a preview access to the New Google Maps: Preview Access Google Maps. You may have to wait a few days for an email invitation from Google. If you try the new maps and don’t like them, you can easily switch back to the old maps.
Here’s another preview video to show you what the new Google Maps has to offer the world:
Have you signed up for the new Google Maps yet? Have you tried the new features? Which features excite you the most? Do you think the new Google Maps will help improve your score on Geoguessr? Let us know in the Comments section below!
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For more fun tech, check out my guest post at Tech Ivy: For a Smile: Dear Blank, Please Blank.
Hi Carolyn,
I really like this. I use maps a lot. I was stuck in an awful traffic jam not long ago and so I use it to get some idea of how bad the traffic is now. I’m not sure how accurate it is, but it’s got to help a little. I used to to find an elusive car park the other day. I knew it was there somewhere, but didn;t want to drive around and around a one way system to find it. It turned out it was in a pedestrianised zone. I would never have guessed!
We have sunshine in England! It is forecast to last the entire weekend! I think I need to find something new to take photos of on Sunday. I think I might explore using Streetview before venturing out into the wilds…
Hi Mike, I’m so glad this is useful to you. Did you sign up to access the new Google Maps? I hope so, I think you would really like it!
I’m glad you were able to find the car park using Google Maps, no wonder you couldn’t find it!
Street View would be a brilliant way to discover new terrain for your photographs. The new interface for Google Maps with the photos below the Earth view map may inspire you for future Neodigital Art posts. 🙂
The new google maps sure looks interesting. I signed up for an invite and hope I get one quite soon so I can start checking it out. Thanks for the article and the link to the invites Carolyn.
Hi Johan, I’m so glad you signed up for an invitation. Mine took just a few days to come through but then I spent a lot of time exploring the new Maps. It’s a lot of fun to have everything integrated and to use the Information Cards.
Happy exploring, Johan!
Thanks for the great article ! I just started following you on Twitter and added your blog to the long list of PR blogs I subscribe to. Looking forward to reading more from you!
Hi Monika, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you enjoyed this article. Thanks for the follow and for subscribing to The Wonder of Tech. 🙂
Hey Carolyn,
Google Street Views is my favorite 🙂 But it’s really nice to hear that Google Earth integrates into Google Maps too. I think Google being efficient and make most out of their resources rather than ditching product and services.
I hear ya 😉 No downloads required to use Google Earth. Plus, Google+ dives into roots of Google product family. Google looking at the BIG picture.
Can’t wait to try out 3D view and see information cards too Carolyn 🙂 Thanks for the Preview Access link. Just signed up 🙂
You have a fabulous weekend over there dear 🙂
Cheers…
Hi Mayura, You are so right, it’s much better to have Google enhance its services instead of canceling them!
I’m so glad you signed up to access the new Google Maps, Mayura. I think you’ll really enjoy them. You can access much more information and views easily from the new Maps.
Enjoy!
I do like the new google maps. I always use it to find places in no time!
Hi Juan, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you like the new Google Maps too. It’s great to hear from a reader who is a fan of the new Maps like I am.
Thanks so much for sharing your opinion on the new Maps, Juan!
Hi Carolyn
It is looking awesome. Great that we can get it all in a browser instead of downloading Google Earth or other software that we need to keep update all the times. Now we always get the newest version from any computer we use.
I have already signed up to try it out myself 🙂
Hi Thomas, I’m so glad you signed up. You’re really going to enjoy the new features and views. You’re right, downloading the software and keeping it updated aren’t issues any more.
I hope you enjoy the new Google Maps, Thomas!
A feature with the new Google maps that I am very intrigued by is the possible support for the Oculus Rift, which is a virtual reality headset. Recently at Google IO 2013, I believe Google was even showing off the new Google Maps to people using the Oculus Rift, so I’m really interested in what they have in store for the device and how it will be integrated with Google Maps. Indeed, looking around a city as if you are actually there sounds pretty awesome to me!
Hi Jay, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! You’re right, that does sound very cool. To integrate the new Google Maps with Oculus Rift could make it seem as if you’re immersed in Google Street View.
Thanks for sharing that news with us, Jay!
Hi Carolyn,
This really looks interesting. I will sign up for an invite and hope I get it soon to check it out as I love using google maps and I use them a lot. Thanks for the link.
I loved the idea of the 3D view and I can’t wait to check it out.
Thanks Carolyn for this interesting review about Google maps and I hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Be Blessed,
Neamat
Hi Neamat, That’s great you signed up for access to the new Google Maps. You’ll really enjoy checking out the new features and views. The tour is very helpful to get you started and seeing all that the new Maps have to offer.
I hope you get your email from Google soon, Neamat. Enjoy the week ahead!
I am very impressed with the new improvements of Google maps. I always use this app in my smartphone because I always have long land travels. Google maps is really useful and accurate. Thanks for sharing this Carolyn. 🙂
Hi Rohit, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, Google Maps is an essential app on smartphones. When it disappeared from the iPhone with iOS 6, many people didn’t upgrade to the new operating system until Google Maps returned. This article is about Google Maps on the computer, but you’re right, updates are coming to the Google Maps app too!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Rohit!
Typical Google, develops a hell of a good service and keeps it in beta stage. I wonder how long before the new Google maps will become the standard. I had no idea about this update, I’ll request an invitation and check it out but from what I’ve read here, its a hell of a improvement.
Hi Christian, Yes, you’re right. Gmail was in beta for a very long time. But with Maps they should be ready to launch more quickly. New Maps was only announced a few weeks ago. It’s great that they are allowing access to Maps so soon.
I hope you get the invitation soon, Christian!
I’ve just checked it, it’s really cool, and the most amazing thing I’ve been surprised about, that the maps for bikers are already available in 6 countries in Europe! So cool! I don’t need my cycling gps anymore, I can use my phone with Google maps.
Hi Elisabeth, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, the expansion of bicycle routes in more countries is a great new feature. It’s much more simple to use Google Maps on your smartphone than to carry a separate GPS unit.
Enjoy your bike rides, Elisabeth! :-bd
Google maps have been changing its front face for a long time,, and this post has updated me with the latest version of Google apps which is quite useful for me.
Hi Manish, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you enjoyed this article. I hope you sign up to access the new Google Maps so you can use these new features, Manish.
Like all the other developments in technology by Google, this looks interesting too. Well, I am yet to use it but I am very excited to use 3D feature to the most.
Hi Prasant, I’m glad you like the new Google Maps. You’re right, the 3D pictures are cool. I hope you sign up for access to the new Google Maps, Prasant!
Wow
Google has made an excellent update to the Google Maps. I wonder if this update will also apply on the portable devices and I can’t wait for an update.
With the new updates, Google is showing their domination and in my opinion they have defeated Microsoft and their Bing Maps. Also I think Apple has made a huge mistake by rejecting the Google Maps application on their devices and this mistake was followed by a failure with their maps application.
I like the fact that Google is getting involved by using cars and other technologies in order to improve their maps application.
Hi Dan, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, this update is loaded with cool features. The Apple Maps debacle showed that mapping isn’t simple, yet Google continues to enhance its maps.
The 3D view looks terrific, with all these new features it could definitely improve my Geoguessr score.
Hi Frank, Excellent point. With the new Google Maps, there’s not reason not to get a perfect score on GeoGuessr now! 😉
I hope you signed up for the new maps, Frank. I think you’ll like them!
Hey Carolyn, I was amazed to see the new and advanced features of Google Maps. They are seriously good, I mean the Information cards will help you reach your destination feasibly. No more wrong turns, and no more of confusing the wrong roads with the right ones. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Hi Rey, Yes, the new features are very helpful to get you from Point A to Point B and tell you what you’ll find when you get there.
A big Thank You Carolyn!
I just purchased an Iphone and have been looking for just this! I clicked on your link and found that I can download the app to my phone.
We are doing a lot of traveling lately and also moving to a new State late this summer. This will be so useful when trying to find my way around.
It was on my list of to-do’s, to search which was the best app to download. Now I have it here from you just like magic!
Thanks so much for this timely information for me!
Donna
Hi Donna, I’m so pleased that this article was helpful to you. Yes, when you’re moving to a new area, maps are essential to help you learn your way around. You can also check out traffic to see which roads are congested and when.
Good luck with your move, Donna!
Hi Carolyn,
Wow – this is so cool! I love the 3D view! I requested an invite! Did you go (back) to Greece yet? That’s the first place I’m going once my invite is here 😉
Lori
Hi Lori, That’s great you’ve requested an invitation to the new Maps. I hope you get your email from Google soon!
I haven’t checked out Greece yet on the maps, but I will. I miss it there and visiting on Google Maps is the closest I will come to Greece in the near future!
After reading your article, I checked out the new Google Maps. I was very impressed with the maps, Google Street View and Google Earth that are on one screen. I also liked the addition of new places of interest.
Hi Krystal, I’m so glad you like the new Google Maps! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your comment.
I think Google device is one such tool which is used by almost everybody, there is no one who doesn’t know about it. The reason behind its fame is its usefulness, I can only imagine how much better will New Google Maps be. I am sure they will help people in a better and advanced way.
Hi Kyron, Good point. All of these features are designed to help people more. How great is that?
It makes so much sense to blend all those features together. I requested an invite but I hope this becomes available to the general public very soon.
When you embed a map for a client’s website it will be nice to have all those features together without much hassle. I also agree that it’s nice to see them investing in a service instead of canceling lol.
Seems like every time I see an announcement from Google I cringe a little, but this one is good news for once!
Hi John, I know what you mean. Google has been full of bad announcements including cancellation of services and search result changes that penalizes bloggers.
But the new Maps are good news with lots of new features, information and views.
I hope you enjoy the new Maps, John!
Nice Carolyn! I signed up for the New Google Maps. This is great since I am always using Google Maps and these are nice improvements.
Hi Aqiyl, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m glad you signed up for the new Google Maps. I hope you receive your email from Google soon so you can begin to enjoy the new features!
I’m totally loving the improved 3D view. It’s so much better than Apple Maps. And the new search features as well. Mostly comes in handy when using the mobile version.
Hi Roshan, I’m pleased you like the new maps, Roshan. You’re right, Apple Maps made us appreciate how difficult maps are to create. Google already had great maps but it made them even better.
There are a lot of nice shiny things in the new maps, but like a lot of Google’s other “updates” the looks removes functionality.
Try and pull up a previously saved map .. you cant
Try to get to street view .. it’s quite difficult
Once you get to street view, how can you tell which nearby streets also have streetview ?
If you want to go back to old maps, you can .. but next time you’ll start in new maps again
On the other hand the 3D view is amazing, especially when you look at a large city.
Hi Ray, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Excellent points. It sounds like you already have access to the new Google Maps. The good news is that the new Maps are still in Beta (test) mode. Google is asking for feedback. Click in the upper left corner of the Map and choose Send Feedback to provide your insightful suggestions to Google.
Thanks for sharing your thoughtful comment here Ray!
This was a great update. The best feature to me is the traffic info – when I see those red and yellow bars, I know to look for a “green” path. No longer do I have to use the Transportation Division’s slow online traffic map.
Hi Jenny, I agree with you about Google Traffic. I rely on that daily as that shows real time traffic issues. Go green! 🙂
Thanks Carolyn for updating,
I love Google maps I missed it while I upgraded to iOS 6 but now I never use Apple maps once Google map was available on App Store. The new interface is really great.
Hi Muzammil, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, the new Google Maps has plenty of features for you to enjoy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here, Muzammil.
Wow – this new Google maps looks awesome! Thanks for sharing the newest stuff – and thanks for including the link to the Invite. I’ve sent my request in. Hope I get approved soon.
Hi Carol, Yes, I got a response from Google in just a few days. I’m really excited to have access to Google Maps. I find I use them a lot more now because they provide so much more information.
Enjoy your new Maps, Carol!
Wow, I did not realize that Google Maps made a change..
Looks more rich of feature.
Maybe in some Country not available yet.
Hi Ipankit, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, the look is definitely richer, that’s a great way of describing it. I’m not aware of any country restrictions. You can apply for access to the new Maps and see if you can get an invitation from Google.
Hi Carolyn,
Nice share, let me give it a try.Is it available in other country also like india.
Regards,
Hi Mic, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I believe that the new Google Maps is available for people to try around the world.
Enjoy!
Google map always evolving and becoming more sophisticated by the day. I really liked the service. However, not all cities in my region covered by the new service. I hope that in the future Google wants to several of them to their database.
Hi Erwin, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, the new Google Maps is still in the Beta/test mode. They are requesting your feedback, so be sure to request coverage in the areas you need.