TL;DR
- Google Maps has added new features in its latest update, including a piece of its immersive view package.
- The most visual update is new 3D aerial viewpoints of over 100 major global landmarks.
- Other feature additions include improved cycling features and sharing location notifications.
The landmarks, which include places like the Empire State Building in New York City and Big Ben in London, are shown in full photorealistic views. You can go to one of the selected landmarks in Google Maps and open the Photos section to see the 3D version. Google says this is just the start of adding the full immersive view feature in the app. When it begins rolling out later this year, it will allow travelers in select cities to soar over the map, or get down to Street View level and see helpful info like when a restaurant is open or nearby traffic.
Google Maps also added new route information for cyclists in this update. It will now show where you might encounter some steep hills or stairs, or if there’s heavy traffic along your route. Finally, this update adds location sharing notifications. If you share your location with a family member or friend, they can get alerted in the Maps app, or via email, if you have arrived or departed at that location. This should give both you and the person you shared your location with some piece of mind.
