Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
Google Maps is an application that evolves on multiple fronts, and while some people believe it's losing the navigation focus, this isn't entirely accurate.
The addition of Immersive View for routes and the eco-friendly route expansion are living proof Google is still committed to improving navigation in Google Maps.
But at the same time, the search giant also wants Google Maps to become the all-in-one mapping platform, so it's working around the clock to improve its social component.
Reviews are integral for Google Maps users, allowing us to post comments and photos related to businesses, locations, and almost every item listed on the map. Others can read our reviews and obtain more information before starting a journey.
Google Maps wants to improve how users interact with content posted by others, so it's now improving the social component with reactions powered by emojis.
Beginning in a recent Google Maps update, users can react to the photos posted by the community using emojis, therefore turning the review section of the application into a social network. Interacting with reviews now feels a lot like Facebook, so when you read a comment, it's like checking out a Facebook post and reacting with an emoji.
The experience feels natural, though, especially because social networks have been offering similar functionality for over a year. You'll see an emoji animation on the full screen when sending a reaction, and you can also see the number of reactions for each post – though you can't see the user accounts that submitted the reactions.
The new feature is already available on Android and iOS, so make sure you run the most recent Google Maps version on your mobile device.
Meanwhile, Google keeps improving Google Maps on multiple fronts, and the Immersive View for routes is living proof the company is committing to keeping the application at the forefront of the innovation push.
Immersive View for routes uses satellite imagery, Street View data, traffic conditions, weather forecasts, and other information to create a multi-dimensional view of a configured route. Users can preview the routes with this realistic simulation, getting familiar with every corner and turn before leaving on a journey. The feature requires a ton of data, so it's only available in select regions worldwide, but Google says it's working on bringing it to more users, likely in 2024.
Google also improves eco-friendly routing availability by bringing the feature to India and expanding the support by adding two-wheelers. Eco-friendly routes provide users with alternatives to the fastest routes by looking for roads that allow for a significant drop in fuel consumption and vehicle emissions. It launched in 2021 in the United States but is now available across Europe and in most large markets worldwide.
But at the same time, the search giant also wants Google Maps to become the all-in-one mapping platform, so it's working around the clock to improve its social component.
Reviews are integral for Google Maps users, allowing us to post comments and photos related to businesses, locations, and almost every item listed on the map. Others can read our reviews and obtain more information before starting a journey.
Google Maps wants to improve how users interact with content posted by others, so it's now improving the social component with reactions powered by emojis.
Beginning in a recent Google Maps update, users can react to the photos posted by the community using emojis, therefore turning the review section of the application into a social network. Interacting with reviews now feels a lot like Facebook, so when you read a comment, it's like checking out a Facebook post and reacting with an emoji.
The experience feels natural, though, especially because social networks have been offering similar functionality for over a year. You'll see an emoji animation on the full screen when sending a reaction, and you can also see the number of reactions for each post – though you can't see the user accounts that submitted the reactions.
The new feature is already available on Android and iOS, so make sure you run the most recent Google Maps version on your mobile device.
Meanwhile, Google keeps improving Google Maps on multiple fronts, and the Immersive View for routes is living proof the company is committing to keeping the application at the forefront of the innovation push.
Immersive View for routes uses satellite imagery, Street View data, traffic conditions, weather forecasts, and other information to create a multi-dimensional view of a configured route. Users can preview the routes with this realistic simulation, getting familiar with every corner and turn before leaving on a journey. The feature requires a ton of data, so it's only available in select regions worldwide, but Google says it's working on bringing it to more users, likely in 2024.
Google also improves eco-friendly routing availability by bringing the feature to India and expanding the support by adding two-wheelers. Eco-friendly routes provide users with alternatives to the fastest routes by looking for roads that allow for a significant drop in fuel consumption and vehicle emissions. It launched in 2021 in the United States but is now available across Europe and in most large markets worldwide.
Google News