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Business News/ Mint-lounge / Features/  Why Google’s Offline maps is a massive update
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Why Google’s Offline maps is a massive update

By allowing users to download maps on their phone, Google Maps is now relying less on 3G coverage, which may be spotty as one travels

The new offine version of the Google maps are downloaded and saved on the phone’s storage, and you won’t require internet connectivity during navigation. Premium
The new offine version of the Google maps are downloaded and saved on the phone’s storage, and you won’t require internet connectivity during navigation.

Using maps and navigation on smartphones has become quite common, particularly for drivers trying to navigate unknown roads and even for travellers as they discover a new city. Features such as turn-by-turn navigation, voice-assistance, and live traffic updates have made finding new places easier. At times they are more accurate than actual signboards may be poorly maintained, tampered with by miscreants or simply not exist. Google Maps, widely regarded as the best navigation app for smartphones, has now made some changes to the Android app that may really make life simple for users when 3G connectivity is not available.

How it works

The new offline version has been added to the main Google Maps app, and is not a separate app. You can open the menu by swiping in from the left of the screen. Toggle down to the offline areas and the app will ask you to download offline maps for different regions across India. These maps are downloaded and saved on the phone’s storage, and you won’t require internet connectivity during navigation. For example, the Delhi NCR offline maps are about 195MB in size. This size will vary for different states and cities.

Since there is no separate listing of maps that can be downloaded (MapmyIndia’s Android and iOS app offers that feature), you basically need to search for a place in Google Maps and then download the maps for that region. It also allows users to name the offline map as they choose.

No traffic updates

The offline mode offers complete turn by turn navigation with voice assistance and it relatively faster than the online version of Maps because everything is stored in the phone itself. However there are no live traffic updates in offline maps, because that is a constantly updated feature which makes it necessary to have an internet connection to download the latest data. Directions specific for public transport and walking are not covered under offline maps yet.

Based on our experience with Google’s new offline maps and for the convenience they offer, this is clearly a massive update for an app that was already the most popular in its genre. This carries on Google’s spree of improving the Maps app.

The iOS update is expected shortly.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Abhijit Ahaskar
Abhijit writes on tech policy, gaming, security, AI, robotics, electronics and startups. He has been in the media industry for over 12 years.
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Published: 23 Nov 2015, 11:26 AM IST
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