On September 22, Google held its Search On conference which has long focused on upcoming Google Maps features. Among them, we find the very impressive Immersive View, which allows you to consult a place remotely to collect a lot of information. We summarize everything you need to remember from the presentation.
Last May, at its annual I/O conference, Google announced many exciting new features for its GPS application. But, as often with the event, we had no news for several months. Until September 22, when the Mountain View company took advantage of its Search On keynote to go into more detail on these famous features.
There is no denying it, the manufacturer intends to go all out to make Maps a must in our daily lives. Whether traveling in an unfamiliar city or finding your way around your own neighborhood, the application will soon become indispensable, thanks to three features that we are looking forward to. A quick recap of what’s to come in the coming months.
Immersive View, the real revolution of Google Maps
Let’s start with what is already shaping up to be one of the most impressive technologies Google has ever rolled out. We already told you about it last May, Immersive View will allow anyone to visit a place in 3D in advance. Thanks to a combination of Street View, aerial images and artificial intelligence, it will be possible to go virtually inside a restaurant, check the traffic in a specific area and even check available parking spaces.
Are you going on vacation to the other side of the world and want to know what outfits to pack in your suitcase? With Immersive View, you will be able to check the weather in the city of your choice on a given date. You absolutely want to see this exhibition, but can’t stand the fact that there are too many people in the museum? Check in advance how busy it is at the scheduled time of your visit. Without counting the exploration of a district around your place of interest, or a gliding flight above the iconic monuments of a city.
In short, Immersive View is certainly the most successful technology to join the already well-stocked catalog of Google Maps. It will be available on Android and iOS in the coming months in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo. The date of deployment in France is not yet known.
Neighborhood Vibe, to get you in the mood
It is not always easy to know what to do when, on a trip, you find yourself in an unfamiliar city or neighborhood. Google has found a solution for this very specific problem. With Neighborhgood Vibe, users will be able to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a neighborhood through the various points of interest it contains, combined with additions from the community.
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“To determine the vibe of a neighborhood, we combine AI with the local knowledge of Google Maps users, who add more than 20 million contributions to the map every day, including reviews, photos and videos.“explains Google. Taking the example of the Latin Quarter in Paris, we find tourist places such as the Pantheon and the Luxembourg Gardens, as well as the Café des Trois Roses, recommended by users.
Search with Live View, to rediscover your neighborhood
It was in 2019 that augmented reality made its remarkable arrival in Google Maps. Today, the Mountain View company improves this functionality a little more by combining it with its search engine. Concretely, it will be possible to search for specific places, such as supermarkets, distributors or even parking lots, directly in Live View to get an augmented reality preview. Of course, clicking on a particular location will provide access to more information about it.
“You can also see cafes, grocery stores and public transport stations”explains Google. “You really get an idea of what a neighborhood is like at a glance. You can even find out the opening hours of an establishment located at the end of the street. It’s an amazing way to put it all together in one go, it really simplifies the experience and gives you confidence when trying to see what’s around you at the time. »
Search with Live View will also be available in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo in the coming months on Android and iOS.
Google Maps wants to facilitate greener journeys
Finally, Google will allow developers to integrate more environmentally friendly journeys into their own applications. This novelty follows a recent update which adapts the journeys according to the user’s vehicle, so that it is more ecological. Thus, VTC drivers, or delivery people will be able to benefit from more efficient and more ecological routes depending on the engine used.
Applications using Google Maps will be able to give their users the possibility of selecting their type of motor so that the routes can be adapted to the specific needs of the latter. The feature will be available by the end of the year in Western Europe, as well as the United States and Canada. “With today’s announcements, we’re creating a visual experience within Maps to help users explore and navigate the world in a more natural way, while getting there in a more environmentally friendly way. environment “concludes Google.