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Friday, August 8, 2014

Google Maps

MapsI hesitate to write about Google Maps as my Traveler’s App of the Week because it is SO in a class by itself. It doesn’t belong in the same category as Gas Buddy, or Allstays Camp and RV. Those are great “must-have” Apps, but Google Maps would be the App I would want if I could only have one App!

How do I use the Google Maps App on my smartphone or tablet? Let me count the ways:

  1. I just look at it to see where I am.
  2. I get a quick idea of how long it will take to get from point A to point B, whether that is driving across the country, or bicycling to the store.
  3. I search for a good restaurant nearby, see a menu, check the hours, read reviews.
  4. I view a tourist attraction and look at pictures of the location
  5. I ask for directions to the nearest Walmart, Post Office, Trader Joe’s, or Camping World. And, by the way, I can ask by typing my desired location into the search box, or by clicking the microphone icon and literally “asking” Google Maps to give me directions.
  6. I ask Google Maps to give me voice-directed, turn by turn , directions.  To Navigate to the desired location.
  7. I save a location with a little star on Google Maps so I can get back there again sometime.
  8. I look at the 360 degree photographic “Street View” of a location to see if there is a good bicycle path, or to read a road sign, or see a storefront.
  9. I get a “second opinion” of our current route, while we’re on the road and our dashboard GPS is navigating. Google Maps is so fast, and so responsive to touch controls, that it’s a lot easier to pick up my phone and check that we are on the right route. If Google Maps says a destination is in a different location that the dashboard GPS, I trust Google Maps because I can actually zoom in and check Street View.
  10. Google Maps is the easiest way to find any point of interest and get information about it … link to website, phone number, Wikipedia entry, Reviews, etc.

Google Maps is the reason to have a smartphone!

  • App Name: Google Maps
  • Author: Google
  • Price: Free
  • Available for Android and iOS (not available on Windows Phone)

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5 comments:

  1. Thank you! I have a new cell phone & Google Maps but a lot I didn't know.
    Again Thank You, I find the info helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. How is Google Maps different from the iPhone maps?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are very similar. Pros and cons to both. Google Maps is generally accepted to be more accurate and complete. Apple Maps comes pre-installed on iOS devices (iPhone and iPad) Google Maps is a separate download at the App Store.

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  3. It works well however please make the blue dot an alternate color when the client has a route demonstrating (can't see blue dot on a blue route). Likewise please let us see the map full screen or at any rate shroud the top and bottom banners when a route is indicating.

    John.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bravo! Stuff people really can use and great bullet points too based on my own usage of G maps; yes, there is life beyond Apple, TYVM.

    ReplyDelete