Google Maps is beyond what you think. Whether you’ve used it to navigate a location or not, this article is an enlightening journey on things you probably have no idea of, about Google Maps. Here are some amazing things about Google Maps that you should know:
1. Time travel
Are you interested in knowing what your street, office place, or eatery looked like as far as fifteen years back? Google Maps has a feature where you can view how a particular location was; dating back to 2007. This is how to go back in time on the map:
Enter the address of a location where you want to see photos.
Tap on the street view preview – the information there will take you to a full-screen view mode.
More options will appear in the white window at the bottom of the street view; tap it to see images with their month and year; it describes when the pictures were taken.
2. Parking Reminder
One interesting thing you should know about Google Maps is that it cannot only help you to get to your destination but can also remind you of where you parked. If you’re using Android, just tap on the blue dot on the map, then tap “save your parking” — it will add your parking location to the map. You can also include more details about the location by tapping on a label to open your parking card. For iPhone users, just tap on the blue dot on the map then tap “set as parking location” and tap on the parking label – this will enable the parking card to open.
3. Voice Command
The habit of driving and trying to navigate a location on the map is not a pleasant way. The map has various features and one of such is the “Voice Command”. You can talk to it and still concentrate fully on your driving. Let me give you tips on what to say.
What road is this, Google?
Where is the closest hotel?
Where is the closest restaurant?
Is there traffic ahead?
Find a petrol station.
4. Share and edit location
If you want someone to know your current location, you can share your location with the other party. The blue dot that appears on your screen is where you’ll tap; then you’ll select “share location”. You can set an end time for sharing location or you turn it off manually. Another interesting thing to know is that Google Maps is not perfect. You can find out if the description or details of a location is not right; just go ahead and edit it if you like.
5. Locate a new place on foot, bike, or car
It is not only while driving that Google Maps can help you navigate your location, it can also assist you on foot. It has a “live view” walking directions. Search for “destination” on the map, then tap “direction”. When you get to the right destination, your phone will vibrate as a confirmation.
6. Route Planner
Another thing to know is that the map can add multiple destinations. For instance, you’re going to visit a friend, a restaurant, or an appointment with your doctor – all the locations of these outings can be added to the map. For your next road trip, you can try this map to help you with the planning.
7. Save and name interesting places
Whenever you’re interested in visiting a place you’ve never been, Google Maps has a sure feature on it. What you’ll do is make a list of the places you have noted to go and give it a name. At the homepage, press “add” to find locations or the locations you already have to add to the list – tap “save”.
8. Discover a lot about different places
Before visiting a new place, the map can give you an insight into what the destination looks like. You can go through videos, pictures, and reviews from others that would help you before embarking on your journey. You can also get to know how busy the place you’re about to visit is; there is a chart that displays this – it can help you plan your movement.
9. Measurement of distance
Another exciting thing to know is that the map can measure how far you’ve gone in a distance. It can precisely tell you the distance between points A and B. Try this by placing your finger on the starting point, a red pin with a white bar will appear; tap and select the “measure distance” option.
10. Change font size
If you find the default font size too tiny to read you can make it bigger. If you’re using an iPhone; just go to settings under the control center and you’ll see “text size”. At the bottom, you’ll decide whether it’s font size increase on the map or across all apps. For Android, go to settings and select accessibility – this change is universal (across all the device apps). Tap font size and set the preferred size.
11. Delete history
Every activity on your maps is recorded. So, if you want it erased it is possible both on desktop and mobile phone. On the desktop, go to maps.google.com; then hamburger menu, and select data in maps. This would take you to location history then you’ll delete activity. On mobile, you’ll probably get an auto delete; where you’ll be asked if you want to delete your data or not.
12. Offline Maps
Sometimes, internet connections do fail. Don’t worry if you end up in this kind of situation someday, Google Maps has offline features you can explore. The first thing to do on your map app is to tap on your profile picture and then tap “offline maps”. Tap “select your map” afterward, move the rectangle to the area you can visit; click “download”.
13. Features for electric cars
Another exciting thing you should know about Google Maps is that you can get useful information for your electric car: The battery level and alerts, including charging stations, can be easily discovered with a map. Your car battery star is estimated on “battery on arrival” as you drive, it’s updated. If your trip will require more charging; you’ll be automatically asked to select a charging station along your route. To do this, tap “add charging stop” and then “select a charging station.”
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