Taking public-transport? Google-Maps will tell you where to get off
Ever took public transport and missed your destination while traveling to a new place? Well, Google Maps will now make such journeys less stressful. Google is soon going to roll out a new update for the mapping service to guide users in real-time through every step of their trip and also alert them about when and where to get off. Here's more about it.
Users need to only choose a destination for live alerts
TechCrunch says that once the upcoming Google Maps feature is launched, users will see a new option with the "Start" button at the bottom of the screen when they search for a particular destination and how to reach there. After entering the destination, users would start getting "live" updates when they ride on public buses, trains, or even as they walk.
Live alerts to be displayed on lock screen
After receiving the update, Google Maps would remind the users to get off the train/bus whenever they are about to reach their destination. Interestingly, the real-time alerts/notifications will appear on the user's Android device lock screen, meaning they need not keep the phone open or continuously track their location. It looks like the new feature would be introduced for Android devices for now.
Very useful while traveling to new places
The new feature may not be useful for a user's daily commute. But if someone is traveling to a new city, state or even a country for the first time, it could be extremely useful to avoid confusion. TechCrunch said the feature would go live "soon". However, other reports claim it may have already been rolled out for testing to some random users.
Maps for walking, biking and driving
TechCrunch noted: "While Google Maps always did a good job of giving...detailed transit directions, the process generally involved keeping track of your own progress along the route. With this update, transit notifications become a bit more like using Maps for walking, biking, and driving."
Another new Google Maps feature especially for India
Google recently introduced an India-first Google Maps feature called "Two-Wheeler Mode" to offer the shortest and most convenient route to bikers. The new feature is available alongside the existing options like car, foot, and train. It gives users other details, including road blockages, parking troubles near the destination, etc. It displays various routes along with ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) suitable for two-wheelers.
