About 21 years ago I reviewed the Magellan 750 M portable GPS system, which debuted at $2,500. My wife and I called it “Maggie,” because it had a female voice. And, depending on how you think about her, she either came between Patti and me or helped save our marriage by eliminating arguments over directions. Instead of whoever was driving having to rely on the other person reading maps during trips, we let Maggie handle directions, which she did pretty well, though she was far from perfect.
That was one of the first portable GPS systems, but then — as is still the case — navigation was built into some cars, typically for about a $2,500 extra charge. Now, everyone has one or more free GPS navigation systems on their phone which are not only much better than the ones from 21 years ago but arguably still better than the ones built-into most cars. One advantage to Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps is that they are constantly being updated over-the-air. The navigation system on my 2016 Prius has the same map and features that it had when the car was designed — probably around 2013. I could pay Toyota to install an update but it’s not worth the time or money. Instead, we velcro our phone to the dashboard and use Google Maps when driving that car.
My other car, a Tesla Model 3 that I bought in 2018, has a version of Google Maps built-in which, like other features on the Tesla, is automatically updated over-the-air so it’s always nearly up-to-date. Many other automakers are now doing this as well, which makes built-in maps a lot more convenient.
But Google Maps and similar apps are not just for the car you own. You can easily use them in rental cars as well as other applications, including walking or bike riding. I’ve occasionally used Google Maps in taxis to make sure the driver is taking a direct route. There have been times – especially when traveling overseas — when I’ve been “taken for a ride” by unscrupulous taxi-drivers seeking to boost the fare. That’s not likely with app-based rideshare services like Uber and Lyft where the fare is largely determined in advance and monitored through both the driver’s and passenger’s apps.
Reliving where you’ve been
If you have history turned on, Google Maps can display a timeline of everywhere you’ve been. On one hand, It’s kind of creepy and you can always turn history if you want, but it’s actually kind of cool to be able to review places you’ve been. Because of the pandemic, my 2020 and 2021 timeline is pretty boring but I just reviewed my 2018 timeline which reminded me of my visits to France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, and numerous trips in the U.S. Where it not for this timeline, I would have no recollection of having walked by Buckingham Palace and through St. James Park between noon and 2 PM on November 5, 2018. There’s even a record of my 21-minute lunch stop at St. James Cafe.
Google Maps Timeline also displays photos you took during your travels if you store them in Google Photos, a free service available on Android, iOS and the web.
There are obvious privacy issues with this feature which is why it’s off by default, can be turned off at any time, and enables you to clear your history.
Indoor Navigation and other new features
On Tuesday, Google announced several new features including Navigate Indoors with Live View, which enables navigation in facilities such as airports, train stations, and malls. It uses the same Live View technology that Google uses to make it easier to get walking directions by using augmented reality and artificial intelligence to orient you through the display of buildings and other landmarks that make it easier to find your way around a city. Without Live View, it’s really hard to use a map for walking directions because, even if you can see where you are and where you want to go, it’s not always obvious which way to walk and whether you are headed in the right direction. Based on my own use of Live View in San Francisco, New York and other cities, the ability to clearly see what you’re passing as you walk makes it a lot easier outdoors and, I presume indoors.
Google is also adding a “weather layer” to Google Maps which gives you the ability to see weather conditions in your area and on your route. Although I wish it weren’t necessary, I’m looking forward to having the Air Quality layer available this summer. If it’s like the last two years, we can expect smoke pollution in California and — assuming it’s OK to travel — I can easily see people using this feature to drive to places with cleaner air.
And if you do go for a drive, you’ll be able to use Google Maps’ new routing model that optimizes for lower fuel consumption based on factors like road incline and traffic congestion. The mapping app will plan the route with the lowest carbon footprint if the ETA is close to the ETA as the fastest route and, if you opt to take a faster route, it will compare the relative CO2 impact between the two options.
Another new feature — which I hope becomes less necessary if the pandemic ends, is information about grocery pickup and delivery services, including curbside delivery — a service I’ve been using a lot in the past 12 months.
While I’m hoping to rely less — not more — on curbside delivery, I am looking forward to the day when I can use Google Maps in airports, train stations and shopping malls as well as for those road trips my wife and I starting to think about now that we’re both vaccinated.