Google has lifted the veil on the many Google Maps updates expected to hit Android and iOS devices in the coming months.
Most of the upcoming changes, disclosed as part of the company’s latest program Search in presentation (opens in a new tab)will improve the way Google Maps presents 2D geographic data.
“Using the latest advances in computer vision and predictive models, we’re innovating beyond our 2D map to make it more visual and engaging,” Google announced at the event, “letting you experience a place in a multidimensional way – so you can feel like you are there. even if you are not there. “
What exactly are these Google Maps updates? The first is Neighborhood Vibe, a new feature that allows you to see the most popular places in a given area by simply clicking on the area of interest.
Using artificial intelligence with the local knowledge of Google Maps users who, according to Google, add over 20 million entries to Google Maps every day – reviews, photos and videos – the app will soon show you useful photos and information when you need them very much. Neighborhood Vibe will roll out worldwide on Android and iOS in the coming months.
Soon you’ll be able to check out the surroundings before you start making plans with photos and videos directly on the map ✨ pic.twitter.com/8izqCkDu85September 28, 2022
Take to the skies
Bird’s eye views are another new feature. Launched worldwide on September 28, this neat addition will bring 250 photo-realistic aerial views of the world’s key landmarks – such as the Tokyo Tower and the Acropolis – to Google Maps. In short, you will soon be able to take a nice tour of the Empire State Building if you feel like it.
Immersive View is an overarching visual update that will include these new aerial views. This collection of features, which will be rolled out in Los Angeles, London, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo in the coming months, will combine aerial views with dynamic graphics relating to the weather, traffic and crowds of these cities at any given time and date. Sure, you can just look out the window, but where’s the fun in that?
Introducing an immersive view – a whole new way to discover on Google Maps. 🌎Advanced artificial intelligence, which allows us to combine billions of Street View photos and aerial photos, will allow you to experience what a place looks and feels like before you arrive. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/UCj7cInz2RMay 11, 2022
There’s also a Live View Search feature, another new feature that uses your phone’s camera to highlight the most important places like shops, ATMs and restaurants in your area. Again, it will be rolling out to London, New York, Paris, San Francisco and Tokyo in the coming months – but we expect Live View Search to be enabled in more major cities in the future.
Greenery (er)
Finally, Google is expanding its eco-friendly routing feature in Maps to include developers from businesses of all sizes. In other words, companies like Uber and Lyft will soon have the option to turn on an eco-friendly route to save fuel. This feature will also offer the option to select an engine type so that Google Maps will give you the best route information and the most accurate fuel or energy consumption estimate.
Google says this eco-friendly route extension will be released in preview later this year in regions where the primary feature is already available in Maps.
Frustratingly, none of the improvements mentioned above will solve any of the four biggest problems we have with Google Maps as it stands. Still, in the ongoing battle between Apple and Google for navigation dominance (see our Apple Maps vs Google Maps chart for the latest verdict), the option to fly around the virtual St. Paul – among other new tricks – is no less than Hello.
For more content related to Google Maps, check out our round-up of the five things you didn’t know Google Maps could do (and when you’re done, here are five other things you didn’t know Google Maps could do).