Google Updates Maps for Android and iOS with Improvements to Offline Maps, Navigation, and More
by Brandon Chester on May 6, 2014 3:47 PM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Android
- Mobile
- iOS
- Tablets
- Google Maps
Today Google updated its maps application for Android and iOS. Google seems confident enough in the updates that it decided to call this major release version 8.0 on Android and 3.0 on iOS.
The first of the improvements impacts information displayed when using turn-by-turn navigation. The application will now display information about the distance from your desired destination, the estimated arrival time based on your speed, and a menu with quick access to alternate routes should one be unavailable. It also will display lane guidance information in supported countries to keep users from missing exits or turns on roads.
The second major improvement is to the offline maps feature that Google launched with Maps 7.0. With the new update the user can now manage a custom list of offline maps for use when a data connection is unreliable or during travel. The user will be able to save cities and other locations right from the info sheet in the maps application and assign specific names so they can be easily found and managed.
Other improvements to the application include “Depart at” times which account for the walking distance to a public transit stop, new filters for price, location, and rating when searching for restaurants, and an in-app button to launch the Uber application for private transport if it is installed on your device. A full list of changes is available on the Google Maps Blog as well as Google Play and the App Store for platform specific changes.
The update is available now for Android users on Google Play and iOS users on the App Store.
Source: Google Maps Blog
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apertotes - Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - link
Still lacking. They need multipoint routes, and offline search of address and route plotting on downloaded maps.nathanddrews - Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - link
Don't be ridiculous, then you wouldn't need a data connection!AdamJensen - Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - link
But multipoint routes (online, not offline) would indeed be REALLY REALLY REALLY great! It's a pain in the arse (and quite embarrassing) that this still isn't possible yet on smartphones.Murloc - Wednesday, May 7, 2014 - link
I never used multipoint routes in my life but I guess it depends on your local geography and your job.Alexvrb - Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - link
Offline maps are much better with Nokia's HERE Drive app. In fact, I've come to like it better overall.smitty123 - Wednesday, May 7, 2014 - link
if you have unlimited bandwidth each month sure, go right ahead. but for the rest of us, we'd like to save some money. 15$ for a couple megs of data over quota, no thanks. get real.Murloc - Wednesday, May 7, 2014 - link
I think he was being ironic.If you want to save money you can still buy a basic gps navigator and use it for years.
Alexvrb - Thursday, May 8, 2014 - link
Or if you have HERE Drive+, just use that. It can run entirely offline, just like a dedicated GPS nav.LordOfTheBoired - Thursday, May 8, 2014 - link
Don't forget the the ability to kill toll road routing globally instead of forcing me to choose a destination, back out of the next screen, THEN select route options and no tolls every single time. Because until they add that back, I won't use Google Navigation again.They didn't even have the decency to warn me of it's removal with the version 7 update, which came as a remarkably unpleasant surprise when I was driving after the update. I'm still kind of mad about that.
I don't really agree with Google's assertion that a global "avoid tolls" option is something that nobody wanted. They're as bad as Apple these days.
kmmatney - Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - link
I travel a lot and often need to use Google maps to find the nearest gas station before turning in a rental car. The last several times,it will give me a gas station that is far away, and even give me a route that passes a closer gas station (which I go to). I'm guessing you have to pay money to show up in Google maps now. This is very disappointing (not to mention stressful when I need to get the car returned and catch a flight). I can't trust Google maps to find anything now - it will only show you what Google wants you to see. At least navigation still works.