Key Takeaways
- Google Maps affords continuous updates and extra options for dependable navigation.
- The app supplies a clear interface in CarPlay for fewer distractions whereas driving.
- Google Maps affords navigation exterior the automobile and in indoor areas, along with native perception and further instruments.
I am from the in-between technology that may nonetheless keep in mind printing out Map Quest instructions but gained entry to turn-by-turn apps earlier than leaving school. As a longtime iPhone person, I’ve lengthy defaulted to Apple Maps. However after Apple Maps lane change warnings have are available in late just a few too many instances, I have been attempting out different navigation apps. Primarily, Google Maps.
Google Maps has been round since 2005, earlier than Waze and properly earlier than Apple Maps. Meaning Google Maps is even older than the primary iPhone. Nevertheless, Google Maps has aged properly, evolving within the smartphone age in methods few of the packages first designed for desktop computer systems can.
Google Maps is even older than the primary iPhone.
Is Google Maps nonetheless price utilizing in 2024? Google Maps’ continuous updates, navigation past driving, native options and further instruments enable the navigation app to take care of its usefulness because it nears its twentieth anniversary.
Google Maps
At nearly 20 years previous, the app has remained aggressive due to it is up-to-date software program, stellar interface, and Google search engine integration.
Google Maps continues to realize new options
AI- primarily based software program and real-time updates makes the app really feel new, not 20
The Google Maps on my iPhone is a far cry from the unique software program that was extra akin to Map Quest. Whereas the fundamental characteristic of navigating from place to put has remained roughly intact, the tempo of updates makes Google Maps one of many extra feature-rich choices. Most lately, the app has gained a variety of AI-based features. Google Lens inside Maps will assist you to use your digicam as a type of tour information to what you see in entrance of you. You can even now search Maps such as you would Google itself, for instance, asking for “issues to do” as an alternative of typing within the identify of a particular place.
Apart from the software program updates, nonetheless, Maps can also be nonetheless pretty good at real-time updates for locating different routes and avoiding hazards like highway closures, building, and accidents. Google Maps will not be fairly as identified for its up-to-date site visitors info as Waze, which can also be owned by Google, but it surely nonetheless tends to warn me of slowdowns as a rule. I additionally love how the person interface in CarPlay visually marks routes with an identical ETA as once I’m driving.
Google Maps affords a clear interface in CarPlay
Makes for up-to-date, simple to comply with instructions, and distraction free driving
One of many causes that I’m persevering with to make use of Google Maps after attempting it as an Apple Maps different is the best way the app seems to be in Apple CarPlay. Sure, the cell app generally is a little cluttered. However I want the best way Google Maps seems to be in CarPlay over Apple Maps as a result of probably the most important info is all there on the display screen. As I drive, different routes with an identical ETA might be highlighted, so I can change my drive simply by turning on one of many different highlighted choices.
Google Maps additionally retains my most used controls proper on the display screen. Chief amongst that is the mute button. As quickly as I acknowledge the place I’m, I do not need the voice interrupting my music. Google Maps’ mute secret’s proper on the nook of the display screen, the place with Apple Maps it requires a number of faucets.
Google Maps can assist me navigate exterior the automobile and even in indoor areas
An important for individuals who wrestle with instructions
Navigation apps assist me fake I am not chronically directionally challenged, however that used to depart me flustered when attempting to stroll someplace or use public transportation. One of many key variations between Google Maps and Waze is the power to get strolling, biking or public transit instructions.
Google Maps’ Reside View characteristic will actually take a digicam view and overlay arrows, so I can nonetheless get there even when disoriented as to which method is north.
For the directionally-challenged like me, Google Maps’ Reside View characteristic will actually take a digicam view and overlay arrows, so I can nonetheless get there even when disoriented as to which method is north. Whereas Apple Maps has a Look Round characteristic in some cities, it’s nowhere close to as strong as Google Maps’ widespread availability due to these funny-looking camera-clad automobiles.
One other key but typically hidden characteristic of Google Maps is the power to navigate indoor areas. This is a superb software for duties like discovering your gate at a significant metropolitan airport, and even working your method by a mall.
Google Maps affords in-depth perception to native locations
Google’s search engine integration makes the app greater than only a map
One of many greatest benefits to Google Maps is, properly, how Google-like it’s. I haven’t got to open up an online browser to learn evaluations of the eating places close to me, or search for their cellphone quantity and even see what time of day they’re least crowded.
Google Maps additionally hyperlinks information to your Google account. So if I am deciding between two eating places, I can save the one I did not attempt to keep in mind later, even when I occur to be looking on my laptop computer when the latter really rolls round.
I can monitor mileage and even save gasoline
Whereas Google Maps, on the launch, could have been only a primary navigational software, in 2024, this system goes properly past instructions. I can use location historical past to trace my mileage. I can inform Google what sort of automobile I drive in order that it finds a route with the perfect gasoline mileage. And one of many extra necessary options for somebody who prefers to enterprise off thegrid quite than to massive cities: the power to obtain instructions to make use of offline later.
Is Google Maps nonetheless price utilizing?
Seems to be even youthful than 20 — in one of the best ways!
Google Maps could also be approaching its twentieth birthday this February, however the app’s continuous evolution permits the software to stay related in 2024. Whereas Waze and Apple Maps are nonetheless stable alternate options if you’d like probably the most up-to-date highway incorporates or instructions that additionally buzz your Apple Watch when it is time to flip, Google Maps is proving a stellar possibility with its newest updates, navigation exterior the automobile, built-in Google-Search-like options and further instruments.
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