3 Hidden Google Maps Features
All android device users can use the Google Maps app, as it offers a ton of secret capabilities. Depending on the situation, these features can be helpful in a variety of ways. Google Maps is typically only used for navigational purposes, such as determining distances and locations. However, Google Maps has a lot of features that let you go above and beyond what is possible with it. We’ll go through several important Google Maps features in this tutorial.
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Live view
A large arrow is displayed on the screen as a result of the feature’s use of your camera to scan the nearby buildings and pinpoint the precise spot you need to be in. Follow the below steps to use it:
1. Put your destination in the Google Maps app and select Directions.
2. Choose the Walking symbol from the map screen’s top menu.
3. Tap the Live View button at the bottom of the display. The Start button is right next to it.
4. Aim your camera at the street’s structures. You will get Large arrows and the street name on your screen to direct you as you begin to walk in the direction of your goal.
Incognito Mode
Incognito mode helps us to be in private while being online. In the same way, Google Maps has this feature that lets you search locations secretly without leaving any clue. While using this feature, your location also will not get revealed to others.
To use this feature just open the Google Maps app, and select Turn on Incognito Mode by tapping your profile symbol in the top right corner. Select Turn on Incognito Mode after going through the identical steps to enable the setting.
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Know when friends arrive or leave the location
When a friend or relative arrives at or departs from a specific location, a new feature Google adds to its Maps app notifies you. For instance, if you’re waiting for a friend to meet you at a performance, you can ask to be notified when they get there.
The person whose location you want to access in order to get notifications from them must first grant you access; they will be notified when you send the request and may choose to decline it.
To start, select your profile icon and press Location Sharing. The person whose location notifications you want to request can be chosen from the list. To add a contact’s address so you can get updates from them, hit Enter after that. The next step is to select a target place, and the arrival or departure time, and then touch Save.
Google Maps is rolling out a fresh redesign for its location pins with a new update. The pins are now getting a new shape and updated colors to enhance user experience.
Recently, Google simplified the Maps app’s bottom bar to provide a more cohesive and modern look. Now, the company is making the Maps more appealing with redesigned pins. The revamped pins update is currently being rolled out server-side across Google Maps for Android, iOS, and the web.
The old pointed bottom pin shape has been replaced with a shorter, rounded, and modern design. This new pin features a white background and includes an inner circle that displays the category icon, such as stars, flags, or hearts. This new design provides a cleaner and more unified look.
While most pins retain their original functionality, some have undergone color adjustments. For example, the pin for museums has shifted from teal to purple. Other subtle color changes include a lighter shade for zoo pins and corresponding text. These changes show Google’s effort to enhance the visual clarity and overall appearance of the map.
The new pin design is slightly less prominent than the previous version, which may allow more points of interest to be displayed on the map simultaneously. This design choice also follows last year’s rollout of new colors for the main map. Users can expect to see these changes reflected in their map views, enhancing the overall navigation experience.
Google Maps for Android brings simplified bottom bar interface
Google has revamped the user interface for Google Assistant on Android Auto, which brings noticeable changes in its design during voice interaction. After this update, the new look of Google Assistant is quite similar to Apple’s Siri interface on CarPlay.
This new UI appears different from the existing bottom bar for initial commands and is specifically used when Google Assistant is waiting for user input or processing a response.
If you ask Google Assistant to find a nearby post office, the new UI pops up when it asks which location you want to go to. This interface responds in real-time as the Assistant speaks and while you’re replying, disappearing once the request is completed. The new UI changes resemble how Siri is displayed on CarPlay.
The revamped UI offers a fresh and more engaging look for voice interactions on Android Auto. It is currently available on Galaxy Z Fold 6 smartphone with Android Auto version 12.5. The update is rolling out gradually so it will appear on your device in the coming days.
Aside from this, Google is also offering offline maps feature to Wear OS. The feature is currently spotted on the Pixel series but will expand to more Wear OS devices soon. It allows you to use Google Maps even when you don’t have internet access.
Google has rolled out a new update for its Google Drive app, which brings a JPEG file format for scanned documents. Previously, users could only save their scans as PDFs but they can now enjoy JPEG format too.
With the updated version 2.24.x, Google Drive allows users to save scanned documents as JPEG files for Android devices. Users can select JPEG from the “Save to Drive” screen after taking and editing a photo.
The new option provides more flexibility in how users manage their scanned documents. Notably, The JPEG file format is highly convenient because it is universally supported and can be easily opened with standard applications on any device. This widespread compatibility makes JPEG a popular choice for images and photos.
The feature is being rolled out to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and personal Google account holders. However, it is not yet available for Google Drive on iOS devices.
Aside from this, Google Sheets has also added a new “Convert to table” suggestion feature, which is powered by Gemini AI. This feature helps users convert their data into well-formatted tables with enhanced data types. Users can preview the table format before making the conversion.
These new features make it easier for users to manage and organize their documents and data. You can check and install the update through the Google Play Store.
Wear OS 5.1 could be based on Android 15, testing already in progress