Google Maps

Google Maps is a map service offered by Google since 2005, where users can view satellite images, set routes, check business schedules, and access transportation information around the world.

The wide variety of tools and options available, in addition to its user-friendly interface, have made it the most used mapping app in the world, with a record of more than 1 billion people worldwide in 2020. In addition, it is available almost everywhere in the world, being blocked in only 9 territories.

Tools and functions

The app has a wide variety of tools to help users perform different tasks depending on their needs. Among them, we can find:

1. Direction and route planning: the app is connected to more than 800 transportation data providers, allowing you to generate the most optimal path to any location whether walking, driving or via public transportation.
2. Street View: Launched in 2007, this tool provides users with up-to-date views of various locations. This is achieved through 360° cameras that take pictures every 3 seconds at human eye level. The license plates of the cars and the faces of the people appearing in these photos have been blurred to preserve their identity.
3. Traffic conditions: In 2007, Google introduced the opportunity for users to see different colors on the roads so that they can determine the level of traffic in that area. This is coupled with the routing system to choose the fastest roads.
4. Business listings: Google Maps allows business owners to register their business to appear on the map. Through a verification process, retailers can provide important information such as name, type of business, working hours, and photos.

Availability

Google Maps can be used on virtually any device available today. The app is available on IOS and Android devices, and can also be accessed via the website. Originally iPhones came with the Google Maps app integrated, this was since 2007 with the first model, until 2012 when Apple released its own map service.

The mobile version of the app has useful features such as offline use, where users can download portions of the maps. It has quantity limitations, as it can only download up to 120,000 square kilometers, not to mention all the storage required to do so.

Other features

Google Maps also offers support for users when searching for parking spots, remembering where users have already parked on previous occasions, as well as actively searching for spots near the driver's destination. The app can also be used to find out the cost of tolls on different routes; this function was introduced in 2022 and helps drivers with an estimate of the cost of tolls on their commute to work, for example.

Maps also offers the possibility to mark places such as parks, monuments or local businesses and make lists with these markers to visit later. Lists can be freely modified and can be assigned different names or categories.

• Depending on your location, Maps may incorrectly indicate the names of certain neighborhoods or city areas. In addition to these types of errors, the app may also indicate routes incorrectly and guide drivers to the wrong destination.

Final thoughts

With cities getting bigger and more crowded, apps like Google Maps are becoming an indispensable necessity. Especially when you can't always count on the roads always being free of traffic, or not being under construction, or that the business you need to go to is temporarily closed.

Tools such as those provided by this app are becoming more and more integrated into the daily lives of many people. They help them accomplish daily tasks, plan vacations or trips, and even promote their own businesses. If you have ever needed a tool to help you with any of these tasks, you should definitely try Google Maps.