Google Maps continues to be the leading navigation app for millions of users worldwide. Whether navigating your daily commute or exploring new places, it makes the journey smoother. In recent years, Google has introduced several new features that enhance navigation and user experience. Here are seven key Google Maps features you should be familiar with these days.
1. Glanceable Directions
The “Glanceable Directions” feature, introduced recently, allows users to view their route without unlocking their phone. This convenient feature provides an overview of your directions without needing to press the ‘Start’ button. To enable it, open Google Maps, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, go to ‘Settings,’ scroll to ‘Navigation Settings,’ and turn on ‘Glanceable Directions.’
2. Locate Building Entrances
Have you ever struggled to find the entrance to a building? Google Maps now helps by automatically highlighting building entrances as you approach, and it also identifies nearby parking lots. This feature is particularly useful for large buildings or when arriving at a location after dark. Look for this functionality to become available soon.
3. Save Your Parking Location
If you often forget where you parked your car or bike, Google Maps can assist. After parking, tap the blue dot on the main screen, select ‘Save parking,’ and your location will be saved until you manually remove it. To clear the saved spot, tap on it and press the ‘Clear’ button.
4. Find EV Charging Stations
Google recently updated Maps to make finding electric vehicle (EV) charging stations easier. Set the type of charger your vehicle uses in the settings, then search for “electric vehicle charging stations near me” to find the nearest options. To set the charger type, go to Google Maps settings, tap ‘Electric vehicle settings,’ and add your preferred plug type.
5. Use Google Lens to Discover Nearby Places
Did you know Google Lens can be used in Maps to find nearby places of interest? This feature allows you to point your camera at a street to get information about nearby locations such as restaurants and cafes, including opening hours, ratings, reviews, and photos. To use this feature, tap the Lens button on the right side of the search bar and point at a place to get more details.
6. Check ETA for Future Travel Plans
Google Maps not only provides real-time travel times but also allows you to estimate travel times for future trips. Set your starting point and destination, tap the three-dot menu on the right, and choose ‘Set depart or arrival time.’ Select the time you want to leave or arrive, and Google Maps will show how long it will take to reach your destination at that specified time.
7. View Your Travel Timeline
Google Maps’ timeline feature can show you where you’ve been at any point in time. This feature tracks your travel history since you started using the app. To access it, tap your profile picture in the top right corner and select ‘Your Timeline.’ You can view your travel history for today or any chosen date. Note that the data may sometimes be inaccurate. By familiarizing yourself with these features, you can make the most out of Google, ensuring a more efficient and enjoyable navigation experience.