Tag Archives: maps

Discover the Expansive Road Network of the Roman Empire through Digital Maps

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Mapping of the Roman road network by Itiner-e

itinerary-e

A new expansive map of the Roman road system reveals that the empire’s land transport network has effectively grown by nearly 60% and is accessible to all. You can explore it online.

The initiative, named Itiner-e, combines topographical mapping, satellite images, and centuries of historical documentation, and claims to be the first publicly available dataset of this nature.

“It emerged from significant frustration,” states Tom Bluemans of Aarhus University, Denmark. “This is among the most enigmatic areas in Roman archaeology. There’s a saying: ‘All roads lead to Rome.’ So why can’t we access a download of all the roads in Rome? Where are they located?”

Brughmans and his team constructed a representation of the road network around 150 AD, utilizing extensive evidence from research and outlining more accurate paths of previously identified routes. They also assigned confidence ratings to each road segment based on the reliability of the source.

Their findings indicate that the total length of the road network in that period was around 299,171 kilometers, significantly surpassing the government’s previous estimate of 188,555 kilometers from the Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World.

The dataset reveals that even though there is compelling evidence for starting and ending points of many roads, only 2.8% of the entire network can be pinpointed accurately (within 50 meters in mountainous regions and 200 meters in flatter areas).

Roman route through mountains to Delphi in Ancient Greece

itinerary-e

For the Blueman family, this highlights the challenges associated with securing resources to excavate an entire Roman road, resulting in many efforts remaining unfinished. Additionally, major roads have undergone numerous reconstructions throughout history, complicating efforts to uncover the original paths.

While Roman roads are renowned for their straightness, it’s a misconception that they were always constructed that way. Katherine Fletcher from Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK, who did not participate in the study, comments, “Straight paths weren’t always economical or practical, particularly through mountainous regions.” She adds, “In many instances, if a route already existed, the Romans adapted it instead of forging an entirely new one.”

Gaining a deeper understanding of the Roman road network could enhance our grasp of many pivotal events in European history. According to Blumans, developments like early Christianity, widespread migration, and continent-wide pandemics were all influenced by the Roman road system.

Despite their significance, roads are frequently overshadowed because they lack the allure of grand amphitheaters or gladiators, Fletcher notes. “It’s akin to that famous scene in Monty Python where they discuss what the Romans did for us, and they mention, ‘And roads…well, clearly roads! Not to mention roads.’

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Green Bank Telescope Maps Cold ‘Dark’ Gas in Cygnus X

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An astronomer utilizing the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) has developed an extensive map of carbon monoxide (CO) and dark molecular gas in star-forming complexes, particularly in Cygnus X.

These images illustrate the location of CO-dark molecular gas within Cygnus X. Image credit: NSF/AUI/NSF’s NRAO/P.Vosteen.

For decades, scientists have recognized that most new stars are birthed in frigid clouds of molecular hydrogen gas.

A significant portion of this molecular hydrogen remains elusive to most telescopes as it fails to emit easily detectable light.

Astronomers have typically sought these clouds by examining carbon monoxide (CO), a molecule that serves as a glowing signal for star-forming regions.

However, it has been uncovered that CO houses a considerable amount of “non-glowing” gas conducive to star formation.

This concealed material, referred to as CO-dark molecular gas, has represented one of astronomy’s most significant blind spots.

In a fresh study, NRAO astronomer Kimberly Emig and her team mapped this hidden gas across extensive sections of the sky, using radio spectral lines from atomic recombination known as carbon radio recombination lines (CRRLs).

Their map encompasses Cygnus X, a star-forming region located approximately 5,000 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus.

“It’s akin to suddenly switching on a light in a room and discovering various structures that were previously unseen,” Dr. Emig remarked.

The newly constructed map unveils a sprawling network of arcs, ridges, and webs of dark gas permeating Cygnus X.

These formations indicate where star-forming materials accumulate and evolve before becoming noticeable as molecular clouds in CO.

The authors demonstrated that these faint carbon signals, observed at very low radio frequencies, serve as an extraordinarily powerful instrument for uncovering hidden gas that directly correlates ordinary matter with the birth of new stars.

They found that this dark gas is not static; instead, it flows, shifts, and moves at rates much faster than previously recognized. These dynamics influence the stellar formation rate.

Moreover, they discovered that the intensity of these carbon lines is directly connected to the intense starlight bathing the area, emphasizing the significant role radiation plays in galactic recycling.

“By illuminating the invisible, we can trace how the raw ingredients in our galaxy transform from simple atoms into complex molecular structures that will ultimately become stars, planets, and potentially life,” Dr. Emig stated.

“This marks merely the beginning of comprehending an otherwise unseen force.”

Find the results published in the October 17th edition of the Astrophysical Journal.

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Kimberly L. Emig et al. 2025. The cold dark gas of Cygnus X: the first large-scale mapping of low-frequency carbon recombination lines. APJ 992, 216; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/adfa17

Source: www.sci.news

How FEMA’s Outdated Flood Maps Foster Risk-Negotiable Systems

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Lamer noted that detailed analyses and FEMA’s approximate maps can often exaggerate flood risk, which tends to be what clients typically seek.

“I was asked, ‘Please prove we aren’t in the flood plain.’ We’re working 30 feet above the river,” Lamer shared regarding FEMA’s initial mapping. “That’s the flaw in these maps.”

It’s a nationwide practice to adjust FEMA maps both before and after they are officially confirmed.

Syracuse Professor Prall, who has researched flood policy, alongside academic Devin Lee, analyzed five years of data on modifying the FEMA map. They found over 20,000 buildings in 255 counties across the U.S. were remapped outside special flood hazard zones from 2013 to 2017 via various appeal processes. Despite this, more than 700,000 buildings remain within the special hazard flood areas in those counties.

According to Prall, the agency has approved the majority of map revisions, with Lamer, who has processed hundreds of applications, noting only one rejection. Thus, achieving a 92% success rate with the Camp Mystic exemption is actually standard.

“If it’s not likely to be approved, we won’t submit it,” Lamer remarked. There’s little financial motivation for clients to pursue the process further unless the data demonstrates reduced flood risks compared to FEMA’s findings.

FEMA’s high-risk flood zones often expand after agents finalize new maps; however, property owners and communities can subsequently mitigate those zones.

A study by Pralle and Lee in their work, Risks of Public Policy, Crisis, reveals that alterations to special flood hazard zones are increasingly frequent.

Their research indicates that the appeal system presents consistent incentives for decreasing federal flood map designations.

“FEMA lacks the resources to double-check everything,” Prall stated.

A FEMA spokesperson mentioned that the agency reviewed the Camp Mystic case and submitted elevation data following its protocol, asserting that the approval of the amendment “will not significantly alter the reality of flood risks and dangers.”

Storms like those that have impacted Camp Mystic are projected to occur more frequently in a warming world. To address existing knowledge gaps, independent organizations are creating data-driven tools for better predicting heightened heavy rain risks.

For instance, First Street utilizes a global climate model to anticipate extreme weather events and integrate this data into risk maps. The firm provides information and analysis notably to individuals, banks, investors, governments, and more.

The national analysis revealed that more than twice as many buildings fell within the 100-year flood plain when compared to FEMA’s mapping. Porter noted that this inconsistency stemmed from heavy precipitation risks that FEMA maps failed to capture.

The company’s 100 Years of Flood Zone mapping for Camp Mystic indicates that events like this will impact both old and new campsites. In certain locations, flood zones extend beyond both Hewitt and the FEMA’s unenforced 100-year flood plain, while in other spots, they are much narrower and closer to the engineering work of Hewitt.

Steubing from the flood plains association mentioned that indications suggest the July 4 flood was anticipated to be the first significant event in 800 years, but emphasized that more assessments are necessary, as some engineering firms continue to evaluate the flood’s extent. It’s still unclear how accurately the flooding corresponds to various risk maps.

While First Street’s mapping includes climate risks, it too has its limitations, lacking the detailed river analyses completed by Hewitt.

“I don’t have boots on the ground,” Porter remarked.

In an ideal scenario, flood mapping would merge comprehensive ground engineering, current rainfall and river flow data alongside forecasts of future climate risks. According to Steubing, flood plain managers need more adaptive tools to represent different flood scenarios accurately. These should differentiate between rapid surface run-offs and slow, sustained storms, ultimately leading to better risk assessment for individual communities.

Texas is working to address various historical data gaps to move toward this goal, Steubing explained.

However, many regions, including some near Camp Mystic, have never been thoroughly studied or mapped.

To fill these gaps, the state is funding a new FEMA program called Basic Level Engineering. This initiative aims to estimate basic flood levels in under-researched areas using high-resolution LIDAR data and contemporary modeling techniques. The new mapping is intended to complement existing FEMA maps rather than replace them, and the updated mapping is now accessible statewide, including regions near Camp Mystic, representing an advancement that will aid in mitigating future disasters.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Korea Delays Again in Making Google Maps Fully Functional

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for tourists exploring Korea, a nation renowned for its technological advancements, navigating through the heart of its cities can be unexpectedly frustrating due to the ineffectiveness of Google Maps.

This may change soon, as South Korean authorities will deliberate on whether to permit the export of Google’s intricate mapping data to foreign servers. However, the decision has already been postponed for the second time this year on Friday to allow more time for security concerns to be addressed.

Such a decision would unlock features that enable the app to offer detailed guidance and show users optimal routes for their journeys.

This ongoing discussion has spanned nearly two decades, evolving into a broader examination of how democracy can strike a balance between digital sovereignty and economic openness. Local industry advocates have raised alarms about market control by foreign firms, while supporters of Google’s request argue that restrictions may hinder tourism and innovation.


South Korea is among a select few countries, including China and North Korea, where Google Maps is not functioning optimally.

While Google dominates online services globally, the digital landscape in Korea is primarily managed by local “portal” firms, Naver and Kakao.

These platforms offer wide-ranging services such as search engines, email, news, messaging, music, and maps, creating a robust ecosystem that has effectively resisted foreign technological dominance. Local companies supply accurate public mapping information but are obligated by law to store it on domestic servers.

Google does license similar data from local providers, but it is limited to displaying information like landmarks and local businesses, without the capability to give navigational instructions.

Security concerns and local opposition

Google asserts that it needs to distribute and process data through its global server network to provide real-time navigation services to billions of users worldwide, including those exploring Korean destinations from abroad.

The government has persistently refused to overlook national security risks.

Nonetheless, Google counters that the mapping data it seeks has already undergone security evaluations and that sensitive location details have been omitted. Furthermore, the same data is utilized by domestic competitors. Google has stated it would obscure satellite imagery of any sensitive sites should authorities require it.




Critics assert that granting Google’s request could create precedents for other foreign companies. Photo: Andrew Merry/Getty Images

There is significant resistance to Google’s requests. The Korean Association of Spatial Information, Research and Mapping (KASM), representing 2,600 local businesses, reported that 90% of the 239 member companies surveyed opposed it, fearing market domination by U.S. tech giants.

“The government must heed industry concerns,” cautions KASM Chairman Kim Seok-Jong, warning of potential “industrial decimation.”

Critics also caution that acquiescing to the request could set dangerous precedents for other foreign firms, especially those from China. Local reports indicate that Apple has similarly sought authorization.

The government argues that if Google establishes a local data center, like its domestic rivals, it can access detailed mapping data, which does not resolve the issue of processing this data on Google’s global servers.

In 2022, vulnerabilities related to such approaches were highlighted when one of Kakao’s data centers was set on fire, leaving messaging, mapping, and ride services inaccessible to millions.

The impact of tourism

Data from the Korean Tourism Organization reveals that complaints surged by 71% last year, with Google Maps accounting for 30% of all app-related grievances.

Francesco, an Italian tourist, remarked that he was “shocked” to discover that Google Maps was ineffective upon his arrival in Seoul for a week-long visit.

“It’s quite frustrating. I’ll look for restaurants reviewed on Google, only to have to switch to Naver Maps for walking directions,” he shared.

“I heard it’s a security issue,” said Reus, a French traveler. “But I sense it’s more about protecting local businesses.”

The restrictions have drawn criticism from tourism startups and tech advocates who assert that they will struggle to develop competitive services globally and hinder growth without access to standardized international mapping tools.

Previous governmental reviews in 2007 and 2016 both declined Google’s requests.

Currently, the interagency committee, which includes representatives from the Defense and Intelligence Reports, has extended the deadline twice, from May to August and once more to October, emphasizing the need for in-depth discussions with security agencies and industry stakeholders.

This matter has surfaced amid broader U.S.-Korea trade tensions, with the U.S. Trade Bureau identifying South Korea’s mapping constraints as a “non-tariff trade barrier.”

South Korea recently wrapped up trade negotiations to secure a 15% tariff, avoiding the original 25% threat. President Lee Jae Myung is set to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House in the upcoming days or weeks.

South Korea’s Ministry of Transport could not be reached for comment prior to the decision.

Google claims its map software assists individuals to “navigate and explore with confidence using fresh information about locations, roads, and traffic,” and that it “works closely with local governments to aid residents and visitors.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Discover Bernband’s Alien Landscape: A Perfect Spot for Digital Exploration—No Maps Needed!

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hA game serves as a poetic narrative within its description. Bernband is described as “a science fiction exploration game for those who enjoy wandering….” Players can meander through vivid and peculiar worlds, bask in the glow of streetlights, and navigate beneath the zigzagging flags overhead. They traverse corridors hosting odd green flora growing in planters, and even engage with otherworldly subway trains that sway above them—tentacle grips, perhaps? “I have no objectives apart from walking,” the game’s Steam page asserts. “Where will your feet lead you?”

There’s an alluring quality about a game that encourages exploration. However, this doesn’t imply that creating such a game is straightforward. “Wandering as the primary objective poses numerous challenges,” remarks Tom Van Den Boogart, who began this venture back in 2014 to reassess the project.




“Exploration is our primary goal”… Bern Band. Photo: Sokpop Collective

Consequently, every journey through Bernband commences similarly. In a modest apartment with windows offering glimpses of the strange universe contained within the game. “The idea is to convey that you are a resident of this city,” explains Van den Boogert. “And as time passes, familiarity with the environment will develop. Your adventure starts once you step through the door.” The apartment also serves as a sanctuary for players to return to after their explorations. “It introduces a subtle goal: ‘Can I find my way back to the apartment?’ Even if it’s just at a subconscious level.”

Van Den Boogat discovered quickly that the Wandering Game should offer players destinations to explore freely. Consequently, the majority of the Bernband universe is arranged in a nonlinear manner. “In most instances, there are various routes to a destination,” he states. “Some paths are more obscure or less obvious than others. If exploration is the core objective of the game, I aim to allow players to choose what they wish to investigate.”




An alien city influenced by real-world locations… Bern Band. Photo: Sokpop Collective

Despite this unobtrusive design, Van Den Boogat acknowledges that avoiding predictability is an ongoing struggle. Yet, he persists. “I believe having access to this sort of information can rob players of the enchanting feeling that comes from stumbling upon hidden realms,” he chuckles. “You are aware that they exist on some level.”

The alien city in Bernband isn’t structured as a traditional open world; instead, it comprises distinct areas interlinked by elevators and various transport options. This format was chosen to ensure that players can immerse themselves in specific sections of a broader landscape. Additionally, Van Den Boogat creates from a compilation of locations he finds engaging or enjoyable. To maintain his creativity, he ensures this list remains somewhat vague: a large supermarket, a shaded bar, and a swimming pool with water slides.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/yxSl96druSQ?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed" title="Bernband – Announcement Trailer" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="

And while the world is alien, Bernband draws inspiration from real-life locations familiar to Van Den Boogat, whether it’s his hometown of Gouda in the Netherlands or influential spots in the gaming industry found in Tokyo, San Francisco, Stockholm, and beyond.

“When I develop games, I prefer to draw inspiration from personal memories and experiences, rather than other media like games or films,” he shares. “This approach fosters a deeper, more personal connection to my work, and I hope it imparts a unique essence to the game and its world.”

Bernband is currently under development for PC, with no release date confirmed as of yet.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Find the ultimate human spot on the web with Google Maps

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tThis is some kind of guy looking at Google Maps for fun. I’m that guy. As a child, I went through the stages of cartography, drawing elaborate maps of fictional islands, peering into the family’s road supervision, working to ensure that the lines and dots of overcrowded pages were harmonized in the eyes of my mind, the shops, and friends’ homes. You can say that the phase never really ended.


Just like some people measure IMDB entries in movies, whenever I start watching the second time, whenever I come across an interesting town, country, or geographical oddity (often in the news business), I burn maps to see what bites of terrain I can discover. I’m not a Geoguessr Savant, but I spent a lot of fun time getting confused by the interesting enclaves and Panhandles and getting tired of the faraway parts of Street View. After finishing a recent episode of Severance, I opened the tab and took an armchair tour through the remote Newfoundland filmed.

I’m not revealing exactly the mystical corners of the internet here. Google Maps is very ubiquitous and has become a utility – I feel like I’ll admit to opening it and praise the virtue of the calendar app or call Centrelink
Just to enjoy hold music. There are many other decent navigation apps, but the special source for Google Maps is a mountain of user-generated data.

The key to the power of Google Maps is the compulsive “local guide” volunteer workforce. Clicking on these profiles makes it vaguely illegal, as if you’re tracking it for ASIO. These are users who record every move, gathering hundreds of reviews, from restaurants to payphones, detailing opening hours, accessibility features, and taking the worst food photos you’ve ever seen. I don’t understand these people and their points and badge currency, but I am grateful to them. There are men who reviewed all the public mailboxes in Ballarat and expressed their opinions on all of them. My nearest bus stop has a 3.3 star rating and a single review: “It’s just a bus stop.” got it!




Flumpy: Google’s Neighborhood Cat is a map with (almost) complete ratings. Photo: Google Maps

Some Google Maps discoveries feel like they’re stumbling over other people’s private jokes. Not too far from my girlfriend’s house, the inconspicuous tarmac is dubbed “Tristan’s Roundabout” – The review tab boasts tourist selfies and comically exaggerated admiration for Tristan of the same name, responding in equally enthusiastic terms to reviewers comparable to intersections.




On Google Maps, this roundabout list includes “tourist selfies and comically exaggerated admiration.” Photo: Google Maps

In the surrounding streets, reviewers can be found waxing more lyrical than local attractions. Hole in the ground or Abandoned trailerand the friendly orange cat that writes a sparkling tribute terrible. When I pass through these waypoints as I move around my neighborhood it feels like a digital scavenger hunt. This is the act of realizing and recording small habits of suburban life.


This is where Google Maps has real joy. Otherwise, it’s the moment when you see a playful reproduction tool that humans can use at their disposal. It’s on display on social media bots Random Restaurant and New towns every houris fixed to Google Maps data. Use Street View to stop your homesickness, Hold on to those they have lostOr use all Google’s My Maps tool to share a list of Publicly accessible fruit trees. Some kind of bugs or human error Indonesian supermarkets appearing in Antarctica – These tools remind us that they are just as messy and incomplete as we do.

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Maps are packed with political and imperialist symbolism, and Google is mostly more responsible for the dire state of the Internet. At the moment, we are confident that product managers are brainstorming how to put shoes on the maps even more AI slops. But for now, when the internet feels like a constant flow of noise, it’s nice to relax by slowly wrapping around your neighborhood.

Source: www.theguardian.com

El coche de Google Maps proporciona pistas importantes en el caso de persona desaparecida en España.

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A man was seen loading white bags into the back of a red Rover car in a deserted street in northern Spain.

The Google Maps camera captured a suspicious moment in the village of Tahueko in October, which later led to the arrest of two men who disappeared the previous year.

In November 2023, a Cuban national living in Spain was reported missing, sparking an investigation by the police, as reported by El Pais newspaper.

Suspicion arose after the missing man’s relatives received texts from his phone indicating a change in plans, leading to the involvement of the police.

The investigation focused on the man’s former partner and another individual, resulting in the arrest of a couple in connection with his death and disappearance.

Police praised the role of Google Maps in providing crucial evidence for solving the crime, emphasizing the images that were captured during the investigation.

Residents of Tahueco mentioned seeing the images on Google Maps but did not attach much significance to them initially.

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One resident mentioned not suspecting the man in the images, while another was unaware of any sinister implications in the photo of the car trunk.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Google Maps upgrades to enhance user experience in India

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Google on Tuesday introduced a range of new features and updates to its mapping services in India as it closes out the year and lays the foundation for next year.

The latest in a series of new features is Lens in Maps, which will be launched on Android in 15 cities across India by January. The feature was introduced in the U.S. and select global markets in October and uses a combination of artificial intelligence and augmented reality to show people information such as opening hours, ratings, reviews, and photos when they point their smartphone camera on the street. I will provide a. Go to a restaurant or cafe.

Google has also launched Live View Walking Navigation in India, providing overlays of arrows, directions, and distance markers on the map screen to help users navigate to their destinations easily. Google says the feature will initially be available on Android and will be rolled out to more than 3,000 cities and towns across the country.

“India is a huge country with very diverse needs,” Miriam Karthika, vice president of Google Maps Experience, said at the event. “The scale on which we have to operate for India is enormous.”

In addition to the visually immersive viewing experience with Lens in Maps and Live View walking navigation, Google uses a combination of machine learning signals to discover the most relevant lands around your pinned address. We announced an address descriptor that provides up to five mark and area names and displays landmark references. Users share their location information. This India-first feature was introduced for Google Maps Platform developers earlier this year and will be available across his 75+ cities in India.

Image credits: Google

Google is also bringing fuel-efficient directions to India, which will be available to users starting in January. This feature works on domestic four-wheelers and two-wheelers and helps users reduce fuel consumption and limit carbon emissions. The feature will be available to users in Indonesia in addition to India next year.

Since its initial launch in October 2021, through September this year, Google said its fuel-efficient directions had prevented more than 2.4 million tons of CO2e emissions worldwide. The company says the feature uses AI to understand real-time traffic data, road elevation, and vehicle engine type to identify routes that limit fuel and emissions.

Apart from launching global features in India, Google has partnered with India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and mobility app Namma Yatri to bring metro schedules and reservations directly to users through Google Maps. . The experience will be available from the Kochi metro by the middle of next year, and will be rolled out in stages as other metros come on board with the open e-commerce network.

Google is also expanding its Where Is My Train app, which helps more than 80 million users every month to navigate their intercity train journeys, to local trains in Mumbai and Kolkata, with plans to add more cities in the future. .

To date, Google has mapped millions of kilometers of roads and 300 million buildings across the country. More than 50 million searches are made every day on the domestic map, 2.5 billion kilometers of directions are recorded every day, and more than 60 million unique users contribute to the map. Additionally, Google said it has mapped 30 million businesses and locations across the country, enabling direct connections between 900 million merchants and consumers.

Last July, Google introduced the Street View feature in India, six years after it was banned due to security concerns. The company has partnered with local companies Genesis and Tech Mahindra. According to Google, more than 50 million users in Japan are currently viewing Street View.

Source: techcrunch.com

New Update Gives Google Maps Users Greater Control Over Their Information

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Google Maps today announced that it is introducing several new ways to give users more control over their personal information. The Navigation app now allows you to delete activity related to a specific location, and location controls are now easily accessible from the blue dot within the app.

The company says users will soon be able to see recent activity related to a specific location and easily delete searches, directions, visits and shares with just a few taps. Let’s say you’re going to the bakery and you use an app to navigate there. You’ll soon be able to view and delete all recent activity related to your bakery.

As for the blue dot that marks your location on Google Maps, you’ll soon be able to use it to access location controls. Click this to see whether your Location History and Timeline settings (Features of Maps that help you remember places you’ve been) are turned on, and whether you’ve given Maps access to your device’s location. It shows.

Google says the ability to remove location-related activity from Maps and new blue dot controls will begin rolling out to Android and iOS in the coming weeks.

Google Maps also announced that when you turn on Location History, your time will immediately be saved directly to your device.

Timeline on Device

Image credits: Google

“As before, you can always remove all or part of your information or disable your settings completely,” Mario McGrid, product director for Google Maps, said in a blog post. “If you are buying a new phone or are worried about losing your existing phone, you can always choose to back up your data to the cloud to avoid data loss. Backup data will be automatically It’s encrypted so no one, including Google, can read your data.”

Additionally, when you turn on Location History for the first time, automatic deletion controls are set to 3 months by default. This option was previously set to 18 months.

Google says these changes will be rolled out gradually over the next year on Android and iOS. Users will receive a notification when this update is applied to their account.

Source: techcrunch.com

Enhanced Google Maps now includes additional social features for planning outings with friends

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Google Maps get some new updates, includes social features designed to help people plan and collaborate with friends. The navigation platform also adds improved transit directions and emoji responses.

New social features are designed to take planning from group chats to Google Maps. The platform is updating its Lists feature to make it easier for people to share locations, make plans with friends, vote on group activities, and more. With this new feature, you can share locations in Maps with your friends, then create collaboration lists and start planning hangouts. Everyone in the group can add locations they want to visit and vote using emojis like hearts and thumbs up.

Image credits: Google

Google says the new feature will allow users to plan outings from start to finish within the Maps app. For example, you can invite your friends, make a list, and decide on all the activities you want to do this winter. Everyone can add activities that interest them, like ice skating at a specific rink or checking out the Holiday Market. Once people start voting, everyone will be able to see which activities are the most popular.

The new update will roll out globally on Android and iOS in the coming weeks.

When it comes to transportation improvements, Google Maps now makes it easy to see the best route to your destination based on factors such as ETA, number of connections, and trip length. We’ve also added the option to customize your route based on the type of transportation you want to use, or choose a route that requires minimal walking.

Plus, you’ll know exactly where the station entrances and exits are, which side of the street they’re on, and a clear walking route to and from the station. These updates will help ensure you’re on the right train in the right direction.

The transportation update will begin rolling out on Android and iOS in the coming weeks.

Google Maps also adds emoji reactions to photos, videos, and reviews. If you can’t find an emoji that sums up your feelings, you can sometimes create a mashup reaction like this: emoji kitchen. Emoji reactions begin rolling out globally today on Android and iOS.

Source: techcrunch.com

New AI-powered search updates, enhanced navigation interface, and more introduced by Google Maps

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Google is adding a number of new updates to Maps. These include several AI-powered features designed to make it easier for users to search, explore their surroundings, and reach their destinations. The company is rolling out updates to its navigation interface that will make it easier to find specific items nearby or find inspiration for things to do, provide EV drivers with more information about chargers, and expand the features announced in 2018 to more cities and more.

The tech giant is updating its in-map search to make it easier to find specific things nearby. Searching for things like “animal latte art” will show you the photo results you’re looking for. The results you see are based on AI and advanced image recognition models analyzing the photos you share on Google Maps. By showing you these images, Google wants to make it easier for you to find new spots that have exactly what you’re looking for. In this scenario, if you find a cute animal latte art image that you like, you can click on it to see details of the coffee shop that offers that image and be directed to that cafe.

Image credits: Google

This new way to search in Maps is rolling out this week in France, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US. Google plans to expand its service to more countries in the future.

If you have free time and aren’t sure what you’re looking for, you’ll soon see more organized search results for things near you. For example, if you’re in Tokyo and don’t know what to do, search for “things to do” and you’ll get suggestions for places like “anime,” “cherry blossoms,” and “art exhibitions.” You can tap a location to go to it or save it for later. The update is designed to help you discover activities and dining options and will roll out globally on Android and iOS in the coming weeks.

Image credits: Google

Google also announced that its Maps navigation interface will soon reflect your surroundings more accurately. For example, when you’re driving downtown, you’ll see more realistic buildings and better orient yourself. In addition to color updates on the map, you now see improved lane details when driving on highways. This is useful when you need to quickly cross multiple lanes to get to the exit. These updates will begin rolling out in the coming months in 12 countries, including the United States, Canada, France, and Germany.

US drivers will start checking to see if there are HOV lanes on their routes. And in Europe, he’s expanding Google’s AI-powered speed limit information to 20 countries. Both of these features will begin rolling out to Android, iOS, and cars with Google built-ins in the coming months.

Image credits: Google

In addition, EV drivers using Android and iOS can see on the map whether a charger is compatible with their vehicle and whether available chargers are fast, medium, or slow. You will now be able to see additional information about charging stations. You can also see when the charger was last used, so you can be sure it’s working properly and avoid using a broken charger.

As part of today’s announcement, Google shared that it will be expanding some of its current AI-powered features to more cities. Immersive View for Routes, which lets you preview your journey by car or on foot, is expanding to Amsterdam, Barcelona, ​​Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paris, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tokyo, and Venice (on Android and iOS).

Google is also bringing Lens in Maps, formerly known as Search with Live View, to more than 50 new cities, including Austin, Las Vegas, Rome, Sao Paulo, and Taipei. This feature uses AI and augmented reality to help you understand your surroundings, and when you lift your phone, you can find information about nearby ATMs, transit stations, restaurants, etc.

Source: techcrunch.com