Travel

History of Google Maps

Posted on by Kaveh

What is google maps and the features associated with it:

So let’s start with what is google maps and most of you know the answer to this that is, Google maps is a service of web mapping which is developed by Google. It’s been a while since everyone is using google maps but most of them know that you can just reach your destination but there’s more to it. The extent of features it provides is mostly unknown to many people out there. So first let’s see what are the different kind of features that is offered by Google maps and few of them are:

  • Helps in getting transportation directions that is Google maps provide us with the direction in which transportation method is available to any place as well as provides us with the details that come along with the methods. It can also give you information if you have to board a bus or any other transport.
  • Create your map, that means if you belong to some area which is obscure and is not well defined in the map, then don’t worry as you can create your own place showing your location or marking the location.
  • It provides the distance as well as the estimated time, that is after putting your location, you can see the google map provides you with the distance that is remaining for your destination to be reached and the estimated time period which also varies with the distance. So, this feature helps a lot in estimating the time period and also will help in planning your travels and helps to schedule the time accordingly.
  • It helps in mixing the information of maps: So to make this feature, function you need to have a little knowledge of the various types of technical know-how. You can add the information like celebrity sightings, or any special events or occasions, but for that, you need to add details to the maps and you need proper knowledge for that.
  • It helps in finding out your locations: While you are travelling and you are new to that place and have no idea what place it is, then hop into google maps that will show your location along with the nearby locations. This helps in knowing about the location as well as the destination.
  • It helps in setting routes, that is you can customize the routes that you prefer more and accordingly set it, thus it helps you in showing the exact same route to your destination.
  • It gives information about the traffic: Well, almost everyone loves to go for a free ride without the tension of traffics. Here Google maps help you to a great extent by showing you the traffic level in different places of the route. Thus, you can accordingly plan your trips with the required routes.
  • The Google maps provide you with verbal instructions: It provides voice instructions like where we have to turn left or right or the distance before you take turns and other actions. Thus, these voice instructions help a lot while travelling.

History of Google maps:

In February 2005 google map was launched. But before that let’s take a look at what happened before that. Where 2 technologies is a Sydney based company. It is the place where the starting of google maps technology took place by the setups of C++ desktop programs done by 2 Danish brothers Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen and Lars. The Where 2 mapping began with its name as ‘EXPEDITION’ as an application which needed to be downloaded and then installed just like different software. In the year 2004, October the ‘GOOGLE’ acquired the company, which was then converted into a web application. Then additional features were added such as visualization of geo-spatial data as well as the real time analysis of traffic. It was initially downloaded by the users separately, but later on the idea of the purely web-based application was dropped by the company and the objective was to change the method of distribution.
The Google map web application was launched in the year 2005 which got mentioned in a blog. This application or service utilizes XML, Ajax and JAVA script. Google map is an API that is an application programming interface that offers locator for many organizations and many businesses also in many of the countries around the world.

Then in 2007, the version of google map was released for the mobiles version 2.0. The 1st version had a beta feature that was ‘ My location’, which used the GPS or the assisted GPS location of the mobile device.

And now over the years after numerous improvements, google maps have become one of the most reliable navigation tools of literally everyone having the access to the internet.

Now that you are enlightened about one of the most brilliant tool mankind has ever had, just open that amazing app and explore your nearest places.… Read the rest

Best Maps/Gps Apps

Posted on by Kaveh

There is a wide array of maps that is being offered by Google in that you won’t need to look any further. In addition to the turn-by-turn directions it offers multiple view options with detailed route information as well as live traffic updates and everything else you would expect in a navigation App. Google maps does really offer almost everything that you need.

Incase you want to use the google map offline then you will need to download the area map that you greatly desire in advance. Incase you do that then you will not get those traffic updates in advance as they require more connection. Google maps have the ability to download multiple areas to your phone and in order to use Google maps one needs to use google maps in Wi – Fi mode only incase you have a spotty connection.

Many apps utilize the google maps API for their GPS and location needs as well. So technically you may be using google maps all the time indirectly without realizing it. Delivery apps use google maps API. Fuck book apps, dating and hookup apps all rely on this to connect people based on location.

Using google maps offline

Google maps also allow one to save your map on your external SD card. It comes in handy whenever you are not driving as it offers walking, cycling and public transport to your destinations. Data served explorers have more options to use Google maps than before due to the release of Google Maps Go which is basically a lighter version of the original map that allows one to conserve resources on your device. Even if it is offered for your smartphone one can still get it.

Waze

Waze is another popular application that features offline support. The popularity of Waze grew so rapidly that Google had to buy it. However, the two maps have been kept separately by big dogs at mountain view with some of the features starting to be passed on between the two services. Waze does offer built-in map downloading the same way google map does and you will still be able to get the job done without having internet connection.

All you need to do is open your Waze app and then press the search button that is located at the far bottom left corner of your screen. Tap settings that is located on the top right-hand corner and then display and map. Scroll down a little until you reach the data transfer and make sure that you download the traffic information. Whenever you are searching for a destination always make sure that destination or route data are stored so that you can use it when offline.

Sygic GPS Navigation and Maps

Sygic is one of the most popular offline navigation apps on Android and for a good reason. The app that is powered by Tom-Tom offers high-definition maps for most countries around the world and it is regularly updated to keep people up-to-date with the latest version of Android. It is very free to download and has a seven-day trial however if you desire to keep using it then you will need to either pay for premium features and traffic updates or simply pay for the features. Some of the features that you will find to be very useful include an offline navigation map, voice-activated GPS with route guidance, dynamic lane assistance, 3D mapping and imagery as well as the option to project your GPS navigation onto the windshield of your car.

CoPilot GPS

CoPilot GPS is an application that is meant just for drivers. It has all the features that you need as a driver. However, they are not for free. The fortunate thing is they have a 7-day trial period after which you will be required to pay for the premium services.

You also have the option of using offline mapping where you get turn-by-turn navigation for free but you will only get to view the 2D version of the map. Premium users get to access 3D mapping where in the full version of the app, you get to access sheer variety of customizable route as well as very impressive alert options.

The very thing that most people find appealing with the map is the breadth of full street-level maps. If you are traveling across countries then you will need to have a stand-alone map for each country. It can be expensive however it is cheaper compared to buying a stand-alone sat-nav unit.… Read the rest