Google Maps
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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].
Contents
Timeline
| Date | Key Development |
|---|---|
| October 2004 | Google buys out Where 2. Lars and Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen, two brothers working at Where 2, pitched an idea to Google involving an interactive map. Their original mapping technology began as an application software, but they transformed their idea to work in a web browser before selling it to Google [7]. Instead of a static map, the two brothers wanted to incorporate zooming, scrolling and searching features [8]. |
| February 2005 | Google Maps is first launched as a desktop application [9]. |
| May 2007 | Street View is added |
| January 14, 2012 |
Overview
Map Type
Layers
Layers [10] Wildfires [11] COVID-19
Route Planning
Live Traffic and Transit features
Street View
API
Application Programming Interface
Features
Google Maps categorizes its features into five different tabs: Explore, Go, Saved, Contribute and Updates.
Explore
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 [12]. 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 [13].
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 [14].
personalize their content by storing their recently saved or nearby places, labeled places, a timeline of visited places, reservations from Gmail and Google Calendar, and more [15].
Contribute
In its Contribute tab, users have the opportunity to earn points if content they contribute becomes published [16].
Updates
In its Updates tab, users can see trending businesses as well as reach out to businesses with the message feature [17].
Algorithms
Dijkstra's Algorithm
Ethical Dilemmas
Privacy
Misuse
Simon Weckert [19]
Accessibility
Filters "wheelchair accessible entrance"
See Also
References
- ↑ https://developers.google.com/maps/faq#:~:text=The%20Google%20Maps%20Platform%20is%20available%20for%20Android%2C%20iOS%20or,and%20via%20HTTP%20web%20services.
- ↑ https://sites.google.com/a/pressatgoogle.com/google-maps-for-iphone/google-maps-metrics
- ↑ https://www.statista.com/statistics/865413/most-popular-us-mapping-apps-ranked-by-audience/
- ↑ https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/maptypes
- ↑ https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/overview
- ↑ https://support.google.com/maps/answer/144339?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop
- ↑ https://medium.com/@lewgus/the-untold-story-about-the-founding-of-google-maps-e4a5430aec92
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/08/google-maps-10-anniversary-iphone-android-street-view
- ↑ https://blog.google/products/maps/look-back-15-years-mapping-world/
- ↑ https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/layers
- ↑ https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/29/tech/google-maps-wildfire-layer/index.html
- ↑ https://support.google.com/maps/answer/10271256?hl=en
- ↑ https://techbriefly.com/2021/01/24/how-to-use-the-go-tab-of-google-maps/
- ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/google-maps-timeline
- ↑ https://support.google.com/maps/answer/9948049?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
- ↑ https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6304221?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
- ↑ https://www.chatmeter.com/blog/the-latest-google-maps-update-new-logo-better-navigation-more-experiences/
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pratik-Kanani/publication/333117435_Google_Maps/links/5eb6cc7da6fdcc1f1dcb10aa/Google-Maps.pdf
- ↑ https://www.wired.com/story/99-phones-fake-google-maps-traffic-jam/
