Today, thanks to smart mobile phones and tablets, both accessing the internet and accessing a wide variety of applications make our lives much easier. By using these applications, we can check the weather, perform banking transactions and do many other similar tasks in a practical way. One of these frequently used mobile applications is Google Maps. So what is Google Maps? How to use?
An App That Offers More Than Maps: What is Google Maps?
Google Maps, which is one of the applications on almost everyone’s mobile phone, is mostly used for navigation purposes. In addition, users can feel as if they are traveling there, thanks to the function of viewing all parts of the world in 3D. Thanks to this free application, users can view and navigate step-by-step streets, streets and other open spaces in a city of their choice.
What are Google Maps Features?
Using Google maps becomes much more practical thanks to the changes made taking into account the comments and criticisms from users. The most important of the changes is about the problem experienced when the phone rings while using the application. In the past, while getting directions in the application, directions were continued in the background when the phone rang. It is now possible to choose the option for the application to stop the directions when the phone rings.
While the Google Maps application is constantly being developed, disabled users are not forgotten either. After the destination point is written on the map, the directions icon is selected. Then the public transport option is ticked. In the Options tab, there is an alternative “Wheelchair accessible” under the routes. When this tab is preferred, the most suitable route is determined for disabled users. This application is currently available in a few cities around the world.
The voice command feature is another feature that makes the application practical. Considering that the application is generally used by drivers, this feature gains a special importance. While driving, this feature can be used without taking your hands off the steering wheel and keeping your eyes off the road. When “OK Google” is said, the voice command feature is activated and information can be obtained by saying the desired location out loud.
What Does Google Maps Do?
In general, Google Maps provides information about public transportation opportunities in cities and the connections of lines, suitable routes for cyclists, satellite images, terrain images, calculating a specific route for transportation by private vehicle and informing about the traffic situation, calculating the time to reach the destination, and so on. it provides a lot of possibilities. We can list the details of these possibilities as follows:
Calculating the Most Practical Route to Reach the Destination
The application, which is generally used to get directions while going somewhere, calculates the route that can be reached to the destination in the shortest time according to the traffic and how long it takes. Users can choose the one that is suitable for them among alternative routes.
With the Street View feature of Google Maps, spots around the world can be viewed. Users who want to navigate on the 3D image can drag their finger left-right, up-down on the screen or use the compass. The application offers a wider view in landscape mode.
Route Determination with Public Transport
If you want to use public transport to a destination, Google Maps helps you to create the most practical route. Information such as the times of train, bus and ferry services, which one to get on and where to transfer, can be accessed through the application.
Location Sharing
The application allows you to share your current location with others. Thanks to this feature, which is extremely practical when meeting with someone, instant location sharing can be done. People who click on the link can see the location for a specified time or indefinitely.
Creating a Business Route
Thanks to the work route tab in the application, it can be seen at what time to leave the house and which route to use while going to work every day before going to work. For this, it is necessary to register your home and work address in the application.
Creating a Timeline
With this feature, which can be useful for those who like to travel, Google Maps shows which locations are visited during the day. With this feature, you can see how long you have walked and which vehicle you used, and you can remember the places you went and forgot during the day.
Distance Calculator
Google Maps also offers the opportunity to see the distance between two points in km. For this, the names of both points are written on the relevant places in the application. When route calculation is requested, the distance is automatically presented.
Seeing Nearby Places
Within the application, it is possible to see cafes, restaurants, historical places, parks, museums and other similar popular places near a certain point. At the same time, users’ ratings and comments about these places can also be seen.
Finding a Parking Space
Google Maps uses live traffic data to calculate routes. Thus, when the target point is reached, it provides information to the users about what kind of situation can be encountered in parking in that area. It can be known in advance how much time should be allocated for the park.
How to Use Google Maps?
Although the application is mainly used with an internet connection, it also has an offline feature. This feature is very useful in situations such as slow or no internet connection. In addition, offline use is important so that the mobile internet quota is not spent while using the application. With offline access, the map of the targeted point can be downloaded and used on the application.
Google Maps also offers the possibility to add places. This opportunity, which is unknown to most users, is completely free and in order to benefit from it, it is necessary to open a Google account through the application. Add marker on the map tab is selected. After the area to be added is selected, the selected location is named. Then the process is completed by pressing the save button, so that the relevant place can be seen on the map with its name.
In addition to adding companies and workplaces in the application, Google Maps also offers the opportunity to add addresses. The process generally works the same as any other location addition process. After marking your home or any other location you wish on the map, you do not need to retype the address when you want to go there. You can select the name of the relevant place from the list and calculate the most suitable route.
