Google has just announced a new feature for Google Maps that will help drivers and travelers maneuver through busy streets during rush hour. Starting with the latest update to its Android and iOS apps, Google Maps will start notifying users if there’s a faster route available.
Though not explicitly mentioned, this new Google Maps feature most probably comes via Waze. After all, Waze’s slogan is outsmarting traffic, which Google has not so subtly reused in this announcement. Google acquired the Israeli startup last June in order to augment its own navigation features already present in Google Maps.
While Waze does still operate on its own as a crowdsourced service, Google has managed to bring in a few of its features into its own service. In particular, it has brought in incident reports from Waze into Google Maps, giving travelers a heads up about accidents, road blocks, and other important traffic problems en route. Google even managed to extend coverage of those incident reports to 46 more countries last year.
Google Maps users on Android will immediately be able to enjoy this new feature while iOS users will have to download the update from Apple’s App Store. The feature, however, works only in regions where navigation is actually available. Those interested in Waze development might also want to take part in the developer’s beta testing program that was just recently announced.
SOURCE: +Google
Half the time the new Google maps will not give me turn by turn directions. It only gives a preview route. WTF good is that.
If you mean, when you put the address it shows up a far away view of your route, just touch the map and it will zoom in to a turn by turn directions.
no offline maps, useless
You are wrong. For a lot of us offline mapping is not necessary fo daily activities. Most of us commuting within cities where you have good 3G coverage. App is far from useless. I use Waze and GMaps since I remeber, never had any URGENT need to have offline mapping…
daily activities? youre right, otherwise gMaps are completely useless = for traveling completely useless
Well, if you do not like this product you can always go for overpriced offline mapping/GPS systems and pay more for updates. No probs for me…
overpriced? there are no overpriced offline maps, there are not cheap and good maps 😉
everyone has to pay for it (or “try for free”) I have bought and it has saved me many times, Google Maps are just a search toy for me in my country
Well, you have got the point. Forgot that GMaps are not perfect in all places. I just made an assumption, which happened to be wrong. GMaps are not perfect for all users. They just provide functionality acceptable for majority I think.
I knew we understood each other 🙂
hehe, have a good day!!