Google updates Maps app for Apple's iOS with new navigation options and Uber integration
Search giant Google on Tuesday unveiled a major update to its native Maps application, adding a slew of new navigation features such as lane guidance and walking time as well as the ability to book a ride from car hire service Uber directly from the app.
Google's latest update to Maps is a boon for both drivers and commuters who use public transportation. Those who spend their time in a car, for instance, can now have the app's turn-by-turn directions feature tell them which lane to drive in based on their route.
Public transportation aficionados will find that walking time has been added to transit routing, and the app will automatically show the next scheduled bus or train departure. Those who prefer a car service, meanwhile, can access Uber directly from the route options display.
The app's search options have also been updated. Points of interest such as hotels and restaurants can be sorted by rating, and users can now search using their voice.
Other enhancements include the ability to save offline maps to a custom list, a redesigned navigation mode, a new scale bar, iPhone and iPad contacts integration, Google Account support for saving new places, and new pin dropping functionality to share or save locations.
Google Maps version 3.0.0 is available now as a free, 13.4-megabyte download from the App Store.
Google's latest update to Maps is a boon for both drivers and commuters who use public transportation. Those who spend their time in a car, for instance, can now have the app's turn-by-turn directions feature tell them which lane to drive in based on their route.
Public transportation aficionados will find that walking time has been added to transit routing, and the app will automatically show the next scheduled bus or train departure. Those who prefer a car service, meanwhile, can access Uber directly from the route options display.
The app's search options have also been updated. Points of interest such as hotels and restaurants can be sorted by rating, and users can now search using their voice.
Other enhancements include the ability to save offline maps to a custom list, a redesigned navigation mode, a new scale bar, iPhone and iPad contacts integration, Google Account support for saving new places, and new pin dropping functionality to share or save locations.
Google Maps version 3.0.0 is available now as a free, 13.4-megabyte download from the App Store.
Comments
I used Uber for the first time 2 weeks ago. The map they have embedded in their own iPhone app looks like it uses Google and it is pretty sweet because you can see where all of the near by rides are positioned and when your ride approaches you can see it live in real time.
I'll have to check out the new Google feature, but I'm curious why they bothered since the Uber implementation is so full featured already.
Anyway the Uber experience was good all around. I can certainly recommend it.
Yawn. Perfectly happy with Apple Maps, thanks.
Well, they made the lines and street names thinner and more elegant, and lowered the contrast in iOS 7. What more so you want? /s
The only thing I’d wish for is saving to the NAND of a set of directions when not connected to the Internet. So that when you go and do something else and Maps falls out of the device’s RAM you can still go back and see how to get where you’re going.
Forget NSA, Big Google is watching you !
Am I the only one that find that integration more than a little creepy ?
What do you fund creepy about it?
The only thing I’d wish for is saving to the NAND of a set of directions when not connected to the Internet. So that when you go and do something else and Maps falls out of the device’s RAM you can still go back and see how to get where you’re going.
I believe, if you enter a search address and scroll down to the bottom, there is now a "save for Offline use" button.
I haven't tried this yet..
https://gigaom.com/2014/05/06/heres-the-button-to-save-google-maps-to-use-offline/
Oh, I mean Apple’s; sorry. Context didn’t show that.
It’s… Apple. And yeah, it’s announced.
Nope.
Uh… nope.
It’s… Apple. And yeah, it’s announced.
Nope.
Uh… nope.
I have so many trolls on my "Block" list now, every time I open a new AI page it looks like a sea of shut posts by these people.
May be about time for you to be reinstated as a mod.
Apple gets spanked again. I hope the Cook regime can keep up. So far, no so good.
I have so many trolls on my "Block" list now, every time I open a new AI page it looks like a sea of shut posts by these people.
May be about time for you to be reinstated as a mod.
TS is not impartial enough to be an effective mod, IMO.
The amount of information and data they have is unparalleled.
You have really high hopes for a unannounced and unreleased update. Google maps is the defacto mapping program right now. Most iOS users use Google maps and don't even consider apple maps a real choice.
Can you expand on that a little since you don't cite any proof? I, like many iOS users, haven't used Google maps for a couple years, now. I live in the tri-state area, and, for my use, Apple's maps have been flawless. I've used it for travels from DE to ME without a single problem. I even prefer it over the navigation system in my new Infiniti G50 because the UI is so much better, which, IMO, outweighs the benefits of the integration between nav & vehicle.
That's just me.
Apple gets spanked again. I hope the Cook regime can keep up. So far, no so good.
If nothing else, Apple put a tremendous amount of pressure on Google to improve their product. Google Maps on iOS has gotten a lot better since Apple Maps was released. GM now has turn by turn directions, for example. If it wasn't for Apple, I doubt we would have seen as many improvements this quickly. So even if I don't like AM, I'm glad they're still working on it.