Ever wondered how Google Maps can do more than ‘just showing you the way to your favorite cafe’ or ‘help you avoid traffic jams’?
Prepare to be amazed as we dive into the 10 lesser-known features that make Google Maps a powerhouse of convenience and innovation.
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1) Gemini AI Integration:
Google Maps got a big upgrade with something called generative AI, through a feature called Gemini. Now, you can tell it where you want to go using only your voice. This means you can use Google Maps more easily, especially when you’re biking around. The connection between these two features is so smooth that it feels like they’re working together perfectly.
2) Electric Vehicle Settings:
If you drive an electric vehicle, finding a place to charge up is now super simple. Just pick the type of charger your EV needs on Google Maps, and search for “electric vehicle charging stations near me.” Then, Maps will show you all the nearby charging spots that work with your EV, whether it’s a two-wheeler, three-wheeler, or even a four-wheeler.
3) Time Travel with Street View:
Using Google Maps, you can go back in time and see what a place looked like a few years ago using the street view time travel feature. Keep in mind that this feature is only available for certain places and locations. Do you believe users will find this feature helpful?
4) Share Live Location:
With Google Maps, you can share where you are with your friends and family in real-time. This is really useful, especially when you’re exploring somewhere new. You can choose to share your location for a little while or keep sharing it indefinitely, but remember to turn it off when you’re done. Just be aware that this feature can use up your phone’s battery faster.
5) Save Parking Location:
In busy cities, finding a parking spot is tough. Plus, remembering where you parked can be a headache, especially if all the streets look similar. But with the “Save Your Vehicle Parking” feature on Google Maps, you can mark exactly where you parked your car or bike. This makes it a breeze to find your vehicle when you return. Share your experience if you’ve ever forgotten where you parked your vehicle and spent hours looking for it.
6) Real-time Weather Information:
Now, you can check the weather and air quality of your location instantly within the Maps app. Google Maps provides real-time weather updates, helping travelers plan ahead with ease.
7) Indoor Live View:
It’s easy to get lost in big places like airports or malls. But with indoor live view on Google Maps, finding your way around becomes simple. You can easily locate a specific store or your boarding gate. However, this feature is only available in about 10,000 places, mostly at major airports and popular malls in countries like the US.
8) Offline Navigation:
Google Maps lets you download maps of a city. This is really helpful, especially when you’re in a new place with bad internet connection. With offline maps, you can still navigate easily, even without internet.
9) Set Home and Work Locations:
Traveling when there’s lots of traffic can be tough. But with Google Maps, you can find the quickest routes with less traffic just by tapping a button. Don’t forget to set your home and work addresses in the app. That way, it’ll automatically pick the best route for you when you leave home or work.
10) AI-driven Place Discovery:
For some users now, there’s a cool new feature on Google Maps that makes finding new places super easy. You can ask Google Maps questions about where to hang out, where to shop for things like home appliances, and more. Then, Maps gives you a summary made by AI to help you choose the best option.
As we uncover these lesser-known features of Google Maps, each point reveals a new dimension to this useful navigation tool. From simplifying everyday tasks to empowering exploration, Google Maps continues to redefine how we navigate the world around us.
Which of these hidden feature surprised you the most? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below and join the conversation on unlocking the full potential of Google Maps