New Google Maps Update Makes Getting Lost Even Harder
When you’re traveling through unfamiliar territory, sometimes turn-by-turn navigation just isn’t enough. The new design update on Google Maps is here to help you.
Google has quietly rolled out a feature that adds visual cues in the form of Street View images for each road you need to turn on as you walk from point A to point B. The update, which is currently only available to Android app users, is new to the app Google Maps, but this is not a completely new concept.
Google first integrated Street View, launched in 2007, with a web version of Mapsback in 2008 . A camera icon next to each direction allows you to display an image in Internet Street View. TechCrunch also reports that the original Droid had a similar feature.
How to use the new feature
To use the app function, people don’t need to do anything differently. Just enter your starting location and final destination as usual and let the app map the directions.
To the right of each direction you write will be a thumbnail image from Street Views, which can be enlarged into a full-screen, interactive 360-degree street view by clicking on the thumbnail. By swiping your finger across the screen, you can explore your surroundings and get a better idea of where to go.
It has its advantages and limitations.
The new Android app feature is useful for people who find it difficult to quickly find street names, or those who have been in a position where they are not 100% sure they have taken the correct street. However, this feature can be a little limiting for those driving a vehicle: to switch from thumbnail view to full screen mode, you need to click on the image whenever you want to view a detailed Street View image. This is a lot of work and attention to the driver.
Possible error
As far as how useful it is, it depends solely on how relevant the Google Street View content is. Areas that are under development or major changes can potentially be skewed in the application if the street view is not updated quickly, leaving it up to a human to check their exact location without images.
After all, this feature will reduce the chances of you getting lost – and that’s not a bad thing.