Tag Archives: Navigation on Google Maps

A new homescreen on Google Maps – designed for users in India

Earlier this week, we have rolled out a new home screen on Google Maps for Android, specifically designed for people in India. The new home screen makes Google Maps easier to use, letting you navigate around and explore things with just one tap. The newly added visual elements let you spend less time searching for your destination and more time enjoying your journey. And with this update, the new home screen will load the map much faster - so the millions of people in India coming online can discover and share great places, even on spotty connections.

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Maps are great for helping you get from A to B, for instance when you’re looking for directions before hopping on a scooter to Connaught Place in New Delhi. Now when you fire up your Google Maps app, you’ll instantly see a directions panel with icons for modes of transportations. So whether you’d like to take the bus or are planning to go by foot to a new mall that just opened near you, just type in the place you’d like to go to and you’ll get directions in just one tap. While you’re looking for directions, the map can load in the background, making the home screen load much faster on slow connections. And if you’d like to access a certain route while you’re on the go without using data, you can also save a route to be used offline.

Below the directions panel, you’ll also see icons highlighting some of the other useful features on Maps. From getting a first impression of a place with satellite imagery to real-time information about traffic around you, to more details about transit lines when you’re on the road - these features are now just a tap away. In addition, with a tap on the download icon, you can now download a specific map area for offline use, so you can explore your surroundings even when you’re in a place with spotty connectivity or no connectivity at all.

This new home screen is designed for people in India - we’re hoping that this helps to provide a much more intuitive and faster experience for users in India. We’ll continue to evolve our Maps and Local products to make them useful no matter where you go or what you do in India, especially for the millions of people coming online for the first time.

Posted by Cathay Bi, Product Manager, Google Maps

Google releases new traffic alerts on Google Maps

Summer is here and for many of us that means heading out for a road trip to the nearest hill station. The only thing that might slow you down? Traffic. Luckily, Google Maps can help you find the most ideal route to your destination with the least delays. Just in time for you to hit the road, we’ve updated Google Maps with new traffic alerts to help you avoid jams.


Now when you input your destination, you’ll get a spoken alert for upcoming traffic conditions that helps you identify the quickest route. While you’re on the road, Google Maps will give you a heads up if congestion lies ahead, and how long you’ll be stuck in a jam. You’ll also get the option to take alternate routes, including explanations for why one is recommended—whether it’s the fastest or just avoids traffic.
Once you’re in navigation mode on your Android or iOS mobile, you’ll see these updates automatically.
Whether you’re headed out of town this summer, or staying closer to home, Google Maps is here to smooth the way to your destination.

Posted by Sanket Gupta, Product Manager, Google Maps

Your Cab has arrived: More ways to get around with Google Maps


[Cross posted from Official Google Maps Blog]

Navigating around big cities is never easy—it can take precious minutes to figure out whether it’s best to drive and deal with traffic and parking, hop on a train or bus, or take a cab. Starting today, that's a little easier. When you search for directions using the latest version of Google Maps on your mobile, we’ll show you a dedicated tab with information for cab services—in addition to the existing driving, public transport, or walking options you’re familiar with. Next time you’re leaving work to meet a friend for dinner, or heading to a client meeting in a new city, you’ll be able to compare all your commuting options right from within the Google Maps app.


From today, if you’re looking for a cab service in major cities in India, you’ll be able to choose from Uber or Ola cab services. If you have a provider’s app installed, you’ll be able to see fare estimates and pick up times and if a car is available near you. Uber users will be able to choose from uberGO and uberX services, while Ola customers can choose from Ola Mini, Ola Micro and Ola Sedan options.
Once you select a service, we’ll take you directly to the Uber or Ola app for you to request your ride with one tap. Having all your commuting options in one place makes it easier to make quick comparisons about the best route and get an estimated fare. When it makes sense, we’ll also show cab availability when viewing the map in walking or transit directions.


We’re rolling out this new feature on the Google maps app for Android starting today, and it will be coming very soon to iOS. So next time you’re looking to zip around a city, open Google Maps on your phone to figure out your most convenient mode of transport to get where you’re headed.

Posted by Roli Agarwal, Strategic Partnerships, India Lead, Google Maps and Sanket Gupta, Product Manager, Google Maps