If you use Google Maps, you may have noticed a new feature recently: One that tells you how many calories you’ll likely burn walking to wherever it is you’re going. Google has now pulled that tool, after users complained that it often wasn’t correct, and criticism over the fact that it showed users how many mini cupcakes worth of calories they could burn on their route. [More]
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Is Google Trying To Make Maps A Social Network?
By 2.13.17
Sure, it might seem social networking giants like Snapchat and Instagram continuously mimic each other in a phenomenon we’re calling “samification,” but now it looks as if a seemingly unrelated app is dipping its toes in the social pool, too: Google is adding a more social, sharable function to its Maps app. [More]
Google Maps Parking Assistant Is Live In 25 Cities
By 1.26.17 — Updated: 1.27.17
That didn’t take long. Just a week after a beta test of Google Maps’ latest app version showed the company was testing a new feature intended to alert users to potential parking problems, the service is now live. [More]
Google Maps Could Soon Include Parking Information
By 1.17.17
When heading to a destination in a popular or busy area, you’re taking a chance on parking — will there be a spot for you? Google Maps is currently testing a new feature intended to alert users to potential parking problems. [More]
Google Shutting Down Crowdsourced “Map Maker” Editing Tool
By 11.9.16
After eight years or so of offering people the chance to edit Google Maps through a tool called Map Maker, the company says it’s going in a different direction, and will be retiring the standalone project in March 2017. [More]
Google Maps Now Lets Users Order Food Delivery
By 10.26.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Last month, Google announced that it would provide users with the ability to hail a ride from services like Uber and Lyft when searching for direction inside Maps. Now, the company is taking that idea and expanding it to food delivery: adding the option for users to order food when searching for restaurants on the Maps app. [More]
You Can Now Hail A Ride Straight From Google’s Mobile Search Results
By 10.19.16
While Google already offers the option of hailing a cab or ride-service pickup from within Google Maps, the company will now let users order up a car straight from Google’s mobile search results. [More]
Google Maps Adding Lyft, Gett To List Of Ride-Hail Options
By 9.8.16
The next time you ask Google Maps for directions, you’ll find a few more travel options: in Google’s recently-introduced tab dedicated to ride-hailing services, Lyft and Gett fares and time estimates will also be available alongside Uber, depending on where you live. [More]
Guy On Stationary Bike Is Cycling Through The UK In Virtual Reality With Google Street View
By 8.9.16
A man in the United Kingdom who wanted to see all the sights his country has to offer didn’t let the real world hold him back when he decided to tour the land by way of virtual reality on his stationary bike. [More]
Google Maps Directions Could Soon Include Ads For Businesses Nearby
By 5.24.16
In the future when you’re looking up directions to get somewhere on Google Maps, you could see an ad for a business that happens to be nearby. You know, in case you didn’t realize you probably need to stop for a pizza snack on your way to dinner. [More]
Police Tried To Disguise Surveillance Vehicle As “Google Maps” Truck
By 5.13.16
While Google’s Street View camera cars may have gotten less ridiculous-looking over the years, they are still pretty obvious when they roll down the streets, snapping photos in all directions for later use on Google’s Maps service. So it didn’t take long for savvy folks to sniff out something off about the alleged “Google Maps” truck recently spotted on the streets of Philadelphia. [More]
You Can Now Add Pit Stops In Google Maps On iOS Devices
By 3.1.16
Anyone who’s ever been on a road trip know that pit stops are essential: you may need a bathroom break, or emergency beef jerky and a tuna sandwich in a triangular plastic wedge. For anyone who’s ever found themselves getting lost while trying to find a gas station or restaurant on the road, you’ll likely be glad to hear that you can now add those pit stops to your route in Google Maps on iOS devices. [More]
Google Maps Will Give You 1TB Of Free Storage In Exchange For Restaurant Reviews
By 11.16.15
What’s a technology company trying to break into the restaurant review game to do when not enough people are willing to submit restaurant reviews? If you’re Google, you give out a bunch of free storage. [More]
Google Maps Launches Offline Navigation And Search Options
By 11.10.15
As it was foretold back in May, so it has come to pass: for all those times when you need to know where you’re going but don’t have great Internet service, Google Maps has introduced offline navigation and search. [More]
Google Maps Restoring Map Maker Editing Feature
By 8.13.15
After an image of an Android bot urinating on an Apple logo popped up in Google Maps and prompted the company to temporarily shut down Map Maker, which allows users to edit maps, the company says the feature will be reopening in phases. [More]
Google Maps For iOS Adds Night Mode To Make It Easier To Navigate After Dark
By 8.7.15
There’s nothing quite like the white glare of your phone’s map app to annoy a driver at nighttime. Which is why Google Maps for iOS will now include a “night mode” with a darker background, making it easier for drivers to navigate in the dark. [More]
Google Adding Railroad Crossings To Maps In Attempt To Curb Accidents
By 6.29.15
Due to an uptick recently in accidents at railroad crossings, the Federal Railroad Administration is stepping up efforts to keep drivers aware when their route intersects with the path of trains. The agency just announced a new partnership with Google Maps, that will provide the locations of all grade crossings in the country. [More]
Google Maps Adding Offline Search And Navigation “Later This Year”
By 5.28.15
For all those times you’ve glanced around at an unfamiliar intersection, cursing the wireless signal gods for denying your phone service and thus depriving you access to mapping apps, Google says it’s here to help: The company announced today that soon Google Maps will offer offline search and navigation capabilities. [More]
