Google has announced a series of new features coming to its Maps software later this year.
The company has been working on a new Live View option that uses augmented reality to help navigate inside of large retail or transport hubs, such as shopping malls and airports, helping consumers find their way around and get to their correct gate or shopping outlet.
The Live Mode is already testing on Android and iOS in malls across Chicago, Long Island, Los Angles, Newark, San Fransico, San Jose, and Seattle, and in the months ahead, the new service will roll out in Tokyo and Zurich, with more destinations coming later this year.
Google also confirmed that Google Maps would allow users to choose a route with the lowest carbon footprint, helping to reduce emissions in major towns and cities. The idea is that the new routes would offer the same ETA as regular routes, but reduce the CO2 impact – for example, taking a shortcut would mean users don’t sit in traffic and pollute the air.
The company said eco-friendly routes will arrive in the United States later this year, and a global rollout will follow. Another new feature related to the environment is new alerts that will appear when navigating through low-emission zones, in the United Kingdom, as well as European territories like Spain and France, with further support coming later in the year.
Are you looking forward to these changes? Let us know and check back soon for more.
