Google-Trade Shows I/O
Google Maps is getting smarter: the End of one map for all
The new Google Maps now shows different environmental highlights depending on the time and location
© Google / Kyryl Gorlov / Getty Images
At Google’s in-house exhibition I/O, Google also presented its revised maps service Maps. This should now be even more helpful with navigation. And orient themselves according to the user.
With Maps, Google had once established the free map for everyone, later the group even made navigation devices competition. At its in-house exhibition I/O, Google announced five major innovations for maps, most of which have one thing in common: the maps are to become significantly faster by supporting artificial intelligence in the reaction. And they should respond even more to the needs of users than before.
To this end, Google wants to incorporate the circumstances of the individual users as well as the drivers as a group into its calculations even more than now. For example, the view of the app changes depending on the time and place it is opened. And then highlights other facilities and offers in the area. If you are at home in the morning during the week, the workplace and various cafes are offered for caffeine refueling. While traveling, Google highlights sights, in the evening pubs are nearby. And if the service detects which hotel you are staying in based on e-mail bookings, this is also shown as the preferred point of contact.
Safer instead of faster
The hotel should also be highlighted in the improved live view. Introduced in 2019, the feature allows you to place map functions over the live image of the camera via augmented reality (AR). On the one hand, the function should now point the way even more clearly for complex intersections, on the other hand, the information on nearby facilities should become even more detailed and offer, for example, reviews of shops and restaurants directly in the live view.
The navigation itself should also become even better. Maps now recognizes based on the location data, if you brake abruptly as a driver. Together with the University of Virgina Tech, Google wants to have recognized this as a particularly strong sign of accident risk. If several drivers step into the irons at the same place at the same time, this will be marked as a danger point. This even has an effect on future maps users: with the same travel time, maps then automatically prefers the safer route. The Group explains that if the safe route takes longer, it will also be shown as a safer option. So Google no longer necessarily takes the fastest route, but often prefers the safest route. Some questions, such as how long the preference applies and whether all or only a part of the drivers are actually diverted to prevent another traffic jam, have not yet been answered.
Google also wants to provide even more information about the destinations. You can already see whether the traffic situation in cities is particularly high or the restaurants and bars you are looking for are currently heavily frequented. The function should now be extended. Thus, pedestrian zones and entire districts are now to be recognized as hotspots. Not only as long as the pandemic is still preoccupying people, this should be well received.
Beautiful new Berlin
However, Berliners and visitors to the capital can look forward to another innovation: Since last summer, there has already been a clearly detailed display in the map view, which is now made even prettier with the help of satellite data. This means not only more chic views of parks, but also useful additional information such as drawn sidewalks and zebra crossings. Now the revised map for 50 more cities around the globe has been announced. In addition to Berlin, Singapore, Seattle and Sao Paolo will also receive the chic card.
The new features will be rolled out in the next few months for both Google’s own Android system and Apple’s iOS, Google announced.
