Google Maps for Android and iOS updated: Lane guidance, Uber integration and more

Umair MohammadMay 07, 2014 12:49:49 IST

Google has now updated Maps  for Android and iOS. According to post on Google’s official blog,  Maps will now offer a wide range of features including lane guidance, saving Maps for offline usage, transit information, use Uber right from within the Maps and others.

The lane guidance feature offers step by step direction instead of just a map view. With this feature Google wants travellers to avoid taking a wrong turn. Users can easily switch to alternate routes too. Besides, it will also display information like distance, time it will take to reach the destination. Right now, lane guidance feature is available in the US (highways and local roads in major metropolitan areas), Japan (non-highway roads) and Canada (highways).

You no longer will have to worry about poor internet connection preventing access to Maps while travelling. The new update will let you save a map with custom name that can be later used offline. This could be very handy for those who want to be prepared well in advance before going on a journey.

If you have Uber installed on your phone then you can now compare the rides based on walking directions and transit right from within Google Maps. If you are not interested in using Maps, then you can switch back to Uber app with just a single click.

Google has also added new filters to Maps which will enable you to find just the right place based on factors like opening hours, rating, price and more. If you are in a new city then you can also find out which train to board and other details to get to your destination.

Loved a place and want to save it for future reference? Now, you can do that too. All you need to do is search the place on Maps and save its place card by clicking on the star icon. Not only that, you can also get a Street View (wherever available) of a destination you plan to visit in the near future.