Google Maps

Google maps are a wonderful tool that facilitates ease of travel. With an array of options that it has to offer, there is no more ambiguity in travel time, route options, directions and much more.

 

Being one of the most downloaded and used apps, Google maps have taken the market for both utility and popularity.

Google Maps

Google™ Maps service, Google™ and the Google logo™ are registered trademarks of Google Inc., used with permission.

 

Let’s see the different features of this tool and how you can best use it :-

 

Search – On opening Google maps you will find a search bar on top of the page, here you type what you are looking for and hit enter. Search options are versatile and throw results on searches based on address of place; name of place, nearby areas, latitude and longitude coordinates or even by name of a contact in your address book.

 

Getting more out of your search – Once you type in your search, there will be an option on the results that say “search nearby” This is helpful if you would like to see what’s located close to your intended area of visit. You will also see other details on Google maps for e.g. If you are searching for a coffee shop, on hitting enter, you will see details like the complete address, the phone number, the website and timings.

 

Share and Save – Your search results can also be shared and saved with the “share” and “save” options for ease of use the next time around.

 

Directions – This is one of the most popular features of Google maps. To get directions, search for the location of interest. Then click on the “get directions”, enter your starting point. You will be presented with a list of different route options with traffic, distance and time stated clearly, select the one of your convenience. The selected route will be reflected as blue lines. Multiple driving options are also covered here. There is an “add” button below the final destination where you can enter another destination, therefore taking care of your entire trip.

 

Driving options – You can select different modes of transport such as cycling, driving, public transport or even walking, at the top of the Google maps and the route results will vary based on selection.

 

Traffic information – Traffic alert will be shown as red, yellow or orange patches within the blue lines to indicate the severity of traffic. You may also choose to change your routes by simply clicking on the path that you prefer and the estimated distance and time taken will be re-calculated.

 

View options – An unmatched imagery can be experienced without even leaving your room. Google maps have gone a notch higher compared to others in the market to provide various view options apart from the standard view. You can see a real life image of how your selected location looks like this is called the street view. To access this, you may drag and drop the yellow doll or pegman to the route. You can also see what an inside of a business or shop may look like before you pay a visit yourself. The much talked about 3D and satellite imagery is no hype as you can see for yourself how Google has managed so successfully to bring to a global image at the click of a button.

 

Customize – Google maps also come with an option to customize and manage your locations. You can save your favorite locations as and when and Google will pick it up to show you your travel history and get directions based on your current location to these areas.

 

With so much that you can do, maps can be used for not just travel. You can do anything from check the traffic on a certain route to plan the route for your next road trip, not only this but also see how this route would look like when you do so. Indeed, Google can be considered as the biggest innovator of path breaking products and Google maps is proof to one such.

Google Maps