Google recently began rolling out a more realistic map experience for Google Maps in 15 global cities.
First announced at this year’s Google I/O event, Immersive Views, stitched together using AI, create a series of three-dimensional tiles into a much more realistic turn-by-turn route.
Users can drill into a route with Live View to see what a route will look like before making the actual trip.
Using Google Lens in certain areas users can hold their phone out to show places of interest on their phone from their point of view simply by turning the phone.
This makes it much easier for people to orient themselves in unfamiliar surroundings to find stores and restaurants.
At the earlier I/O event, Google announced a crowdsourcing approach to the creation of these immersive experiences called the Google Immersive Geospatial Challenge.
Creators could compete to create interesting augmented reality experiences or photorealistic 3D tiles for a chance at 15 prizes ranging from $1500 to $6500.
Google has added many new details including plotting out nearby EV charging stations for those driving electric vehicles, with details on if the charger is a fast, medium, or slow charger, and even when it was last used so drivers can avoid driving to broken chargers.
The company has also greatly improved suggested activities for people looking for something new to do and seeking inspiration.
The Immersive views are now available for Maps users on Apple or Android devices in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paris, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tokyo and Venice, with 50 more cities on the horizon.
Leave a Reply