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Google Silently Releases Massive Google Maps Update for Some Users

Google Maps is the world’s number one navigation app, and the Mountain View-based search giant has been working around the clock to bring new capabilities to users out there.
Updated street-level details on Google Maps 6 photos
Photo: Google
Updated street-level details on Google MapsUpdated street-level details on Google MapsUpdated street-level details on Google MapsUpdated street-level details on Google MapsUpdated street-level details on Google Maps
Last year, the company announced refreshed street-level details that would provide us with more information about a specific location, and now it looks like four regions out there are getting this update.

More specifically, London, New York City, San Francisco, and Tokyo are updated with plenty of new details on Google Maps, including accurately scaled road widths, pathways and stairs in parks, sidewalks, crosswalks, and medians and pedestrian islands.

In some cities around the world, you can now find street-level details, like crosswalks, sidewalks, and true-to-scale road widths, within Maps. These details help you more accurately explore an area and make plans before you visit. This can be especially helpful when you navigate on foot or have accessibility needs, like wheelchair or stroller requirements,” Google explains on a support page.

As others have noticed, too, there’s nothing you can do in order to get this Google Maps update, as the whole thing is powered by a server-side switch. In other words, even if you are running the latest Google Maps versions, be they stable or beta, the search giant itself needs to enable the refreshed maps details for your device.

Needless to say, Google will soon bring the same update to more regions across the world, as the rollout is taking place gradually. The amount of work required to provide such accurate details is obviously massive, so it could take a while until smaller cities out there get the same street-level refresh.

In the meantime, Google is also working on bringing the Google Maps driving mode to more users. This feature is currently in the preview stage in the United States for Android users, and the company is expected to release additional improvements and expand availability throughout the year.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
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Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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