Difference between revisions of "Google Maps"

Revision as of 05:54, 10 February 2022

Google Maps

"Google Maps" Google Maps Type Web mapping Launch Date 2005 Status Active Product Line product Platform iOS, Android, Web apps, HTTPS web services [1] Website Google Maps

Google Maps is a free online platform and mobile application used for geographical navigation. With over one billion monthly active users^[2], Google Maps was the most downloaded mapping application in the United States in 2020 ^[3]. The map types offered by this application include a default roadmap, a satellite image map, a hybrid between roadmap and satellite image and a terrain map ^[4]. Third-parties have the ability to customize and display a map on their web pages and mobile devices because this application provides an application programming interface (API) ^[5]. Layers available on the Google Maps online platform and mobile application provide real-time traffic conditions, COVID-19 tracking, biking trails, transit routes, wildfire tracking and an interactive panorama called Street View. This technology also offers information on route and travel time for different modes of transportation including driving, transit, walking, cycling or flight ^[6].

Timeline

Overview

Map Type

Layers

Layers ^[11] Wildfires ^[12] COVID-19

Route Planning

Live Traffic and Transit features

Street View

API

An Application Programming Interface (API) allows for programs to communicate with one another ^[13]. The API for Google Maps allows for different websites to implement the features of Google Maps into their website. These websites have the ability to customize the look and functionality of the map in order to display useful information to their users ^[14].

Features

Google Maps categorizes its features into five different tabs: Explore, Go, Saved, Contribute and Updates.

Explore

Explore Tab

The Explore tab provides personalized recommendations for nearby food and drinks, things to do, shopping and services. The user can use filters such as distance, rating, hours or price to limit the amount of suggestions. For each recommendations, users have the option to save a destination which they can then access under the Saved tab. Users are provided with details, the address, a phone number, hours of operation, photos, a graph of busiest hours and reviews for each recommendation.

Go

The Go tab allows for the user to pin trips for quick access to directions and estimated time of arrival ^[15]. Once a destination is pinned, it appears in a list that includes a button to instantly start navigation. In addition to pinned trips, Google Maps makes suggestions based off of frequently searched destinations. The Go tab acts as an alternative to repeatedly searching for a destination ^[16].

Saved

With the Saved tab, users can create and categorize lists of destination. By default, users are prompted to add destinations to their Favorites list or Want to go list. Users have the opportunity to create their own list by giving it a name, an optional description, and deciding whether they want their list to be private, public or shared with another user. Once a list is created, users can publish their list on Google Maps so it is linked to their account, add destination to it or share its link. When users save a destination, they are prompted to select which list or lists they would like to save to and if they would like to add an additional note. Once a destination is on a list, Google Maps keeps track of whether or not the location has been visited.

Google Maps also offers a private Timeline feature that uses a users location history to make an estimate on recent visited destinations and routes. This Timeline keeps track of all the cities, countries and attractions a user has visited ^[17].

Contribute

Users can edit the map, add places, write reviews and upload photos using the Contribute tab. To do so, users have the opportunity to become a Local Guide. This feature is used to help local communities share if a business is temporarily closed or has reopened, report false information such as a missing place, submit corrections to roads, offer opinions about already existing places and more. Any contribution that is accepted earns a user points, and points help a user go up in levels. When a user makes a contribution, others users can see the posting users's level, which influence trust and authenticity ^[18].

Updates

Google Maps receives tens of thousands of updates every single day ^[19]. In its Updates tab, users can see trending businesses as well as reach out to businesses with the message feature ^[20].

Algorithms

Dijkstra's Algorithm

^[21]

Ethical Dilemmas

Privacy and Data Mining

Google's My Activity feature and Dashboard give users transparency over what data is collected across all of Google's services. Google also implemented privacy controls such as Activity Controls and Ad Settings in order for users to have more control over the collection and use of their data as well as the ads that are shown. In Activity Controls, the user decides the type of data collection associated with their account. The user can opt to pause specific types of data collection such as Search history, browning activity, Location History or YouTube History. Furthermore, Google has implemented a way for users to be reminded to change their privacy settings ^[22]. Additionally, Google has made incognito mode available for Google Maps. This mode is not the default setting, so users need to navigate to their settings to initiate it ^[23]. When this setting is enabled, Good Maps does not store a user’s search or browsing history to their account, update a user's Location History or shared location (if applicable), or use collected data to personalize recommendations ^[24]. Once the Incognito window is closed, a user’s cookies and data are deleted ^[25].

Location Sharing and Stalking

Google Maps includes a tool that allows a user to share their current location with other users. This location sharing feature allows for friends, families and co-workers to see a user's location on a map in real-time. A user can adjust the time duration for how long they want to share their location. They can choose between one to twelve hours, a full day, or indefinitely. Furthermore, a user's location can only be seen by whoever they chose to share it with. A user can request another user's location, but the location will not be shared without consent ^[26]. Aside from saying no to a location request, a user can block another user from asking them for their location ^[27]. By default, the location of a user is update every one hour. Once a location is shared, the user has access to the other users's phone battery percentage, directions to their current address and the ability to refresh in order to get a more accurate coordinate. Additionally, there is a beta Live View feature that uses the data it has collected in Street View to direct a camera using the camera on their device ^[28].

For some people, sharing their location with a loved one makes them feel safe. A user may find comfort in knowing a loved one is watching their location as they walk home alone at night. A user may also use Location Sharing just in case they were to lose their phone or go missing ^[29]. Additionally, some people may find it convenient to check their spouse's location if they are running late ^[30]. Although some people believe location sharing is convenient or useful for safety reasons, others feel that it is an invasion of privacy. The Location Sharing feature in Google Maps can lead to stalking. Stalking is a pattern of behavior that leads an individual to feel fear ^[31]. When someone refresh's a user's current location, the user is not notified. Additionally, a user is not notified as to how many times a day someone else checks their location. Unwanted and persistent stalking can lead a victimized individual to change their daily routines or avoid social scenes, and can cause significant mental health problems ^[32].

Crowdsourcing Traffic Data

Google Maps uses crowdsourcing to help inform users about potential traffic jams. Crowdsourcing is the act of using contributions from a large group of people to gather data ^[33]. Google Maps crowdsources by monitoring the speed and location of its users as they move down a road. In 2020, a man named Simon Weckert had the idea to trick Google Maps by pulling 99 smartphones in a wagon down a street in Berlin. Although the street was empty, Google Maps reported that there was heavy traffic in the area ^[34].

Fake Local Businesses

Anyone with a Google account can add a local business to Google Maps. To add a business, a user can type in the business's address, right-click anywhere on the map or select the Menu option. After you select the location, Google Maps prompts the user to create a Business Profile to add additional information ^[35]. In an attempt to minimize fraudulent businesses, Google sends a postcard to the newly added business address that contain a special verification code. However, individuals have found ways around this verification method. Once someone verifies the code, their business are allowed to move locations without needing to submit another verification code if the move is within the same zip code. Thus, if someone were to send the code to another mailbox within the same zip code, they could get around this verification check.

Accessibility

Filters "wheelchair accessible entrance"

See Also

References

1. ↑ https://developers.google.com/maps/faq#:~:text=The%20Google%20Maps%20Platform%20is%20available%20for%20Android%2C%20iOS%20or,and%20via%20HTTP%20web%20services.
2. ↑ https://sites.google.com/a/pressatgoogle.com/google-maps-for-iphone/google-maps-metrics
3. ↑ https://www.statista.com/statistics/865413/most-popular-us-mapping-apps-ranked-by-audience/
4. ↑ https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/maptypes
5. ↑ https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/overview
6. ↑ https://support.google.com/maps/answer/144339?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop
7. ↑ https://medium.com/@lewgus/the-untold-story-about-the-founding-of-google-maps-e4a5430aec92
8. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/08/google-maps-10-anniversary-iphone-android-street-view
9. ↑ https://blog.google/products/maps/look-back-15-years-mapping-world/
10. ↑ https://blog.google/products/maps/look-back-15-years-mapping-world/
11. ↑ https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/layers
12. ↑ https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/29/tech/google-maps-wildfire-layer/index.html
13. ↑ https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/api/
14. ↑ https://maps.google.com/help/maps/casestudies/maps-api-web.pdf
15. ↑ https://support.google.com/maps/answer/10271256?hl=en
16. ↑ https://techbriefly.com/2021/01/24/how-to-use-the-go-tab-of-google-maps/
17. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/google-maps-timeline
18. ↑ https://www.online-tech-tips.com/google-softwaretips/what-is-local-guides-for-google-maps/#:~:text=Points%20let%20you%20level%20up,contributions%20carry%20trust%20and%20authenticity.
19. ↑ https://sites.google.com/a/pressatgoogle.com/google-maps-for-iphone/google-maps-metrics
20. ↑ https://www.chatmeter.com/blog/the-latest-google-maps-update-new-logo-better-navigation-more-experiences/
21. ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pratik-Kanani/publication/333117435_Google_Maps/links/5eb6cc7da6fdcc1f1dcb10aa/Google-Maps.pdf
22. ↑ https://safety.google/privacy/privacy-controls/
23. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2021/04/17/do-you-need-to-stop-using-google-maps-on-your-apple-iphone-after-chrome-and-gmail-backlash/?sh=48b7f8a885e4
24. ↑ https://support.google.com/maps/answer/9430563?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&hl=en-GB
25. ↑ https://safety.google/privacy/privacy-controls/
26. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-track-someone-on-google-maps
27. ↑ https://support.google.com/maps/answer/7326816?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
28. ↑ https://support.google.com/maps/answer/9332056?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
29. ↑ https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/23/how-to-share-your-location-with-loved-ones-so-they-know-youre-safe.html
30. ↑ https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/23/how-to-share-your-location-with-loved-ones-so-they-know-youre-safe.html
31. ↑ https://victimconnect.org/learn/types-of-crime/stalking/
32. ↑ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0269758016661608
33. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crowdsourcing
34. ↑ https://www.wired.com/story/99-phones-fake-google-maps-traffic-jam/
35. ↑ https://support.google.com/business/answer/2911778?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop