Google Maps feature availability
According to the company, these four updates will come to Google Maps on iOS and Android for national parks in the US this April. These updates will be expanded to parks globally in the coming months.
How these features will help users
Google said that the updates in Maps will help users find the information needed to plan a visit to national parks. The information includes finding a way around a park, discovering things to do, identifying the most popular places in a park — like attractions, campgrounds, visitor centres, and trailheads – and nearest public bathrooms.
“We’ll highlight a park’s most popular attractions on Google Maps to help you discover things to see and do. We’re making it easier than ever to find rich information about trails with reviews, photos, and videos from people who have been there before,” the company said.
Users will also be able to download Maps for offline navigation. Since people may not have reliable cell coverage in national parks, an offline map of the area will help users find their way and access other information without being online.
Users will be able to download an offline map of a park by tapping the ‘download’ button on the park’s Google Maps listing. The download button will appear on park listings once the feature is rolled out in a specific country.
Google Immersive View
Apart from directions while driving, Maps also offers Live View which helps users to navigate with the help of augmented reality (AR) arrows, directions and distance markers. The feature is available in select markets.
