Google unveiled a fun new game this week that tests players' geography and trivia skills.
Called "Smarty Pins" the game starts players off with 1,000 miles (or
1,609 kilometers if they're not based in the United States), and asks
them to drop a pin on the city that corresponds with the correct answer
to a given question. If the answer is incorrect, the player's miles are
reduced by the distance the answer was off. For example, if the answer
to a question was Philadelphia but the user chose New York City, Smarty
Pins would subtract 94 miles from the total score. The goal is to
correctly answer as many questions as possible before the number of
miles reaches zero. Players can also gain bonus points if they answer in
the first 10 seconds without using hints.
In Smarty Pins, which uses Google Maps
for its layout, players can zoom in and out to pinpoint specific
locations, including landmarks. They can choose general trivia
questions, or select from a list of categories, including entertainment,
sports and games, history and current events, arts and culture, science
and geography, and featured topics. The game provides instant feedback
on a player's response, including phrases that are both encouraging
("Outstanding! You dazzle us with your geographical knowledge!") and
snarky ("Hey, even Columbus took a few years to find the right way.")
Google previously released other games, including Santa Maps Dive and Spell Up. For its part, Smarty Pins is similar to a game called GeoGuessr, which challenges players to identify a photo by clicking its location on Google Maps
Google Maps rolled out a massive update that added better offline maps, improved navigation and Uber integration.
But while the update is huge, many of the best new features are
subtly tucked away and easy to miss. Here's our guide to Maps' best new
features, and how you can take advantage of them:
Navigation improvements
Navigation has long been one of Google Maps' core features. With the
3.0 update, Google has enhanced the service by adding several
improvements to how routes are displayed, including better route
guidance and more accessible route information.
Navigation now includes lane guidance,
which lets you know whether you are in the correct lane, and gives
drivers a heads-up when it's time to move over. In the U.S., lane
guidance is available for highways and local roads in "major
metropolitan areas." Outside of the U.S., this feature is available for
Canadian highways and non-highway roads in Japan.
Google added several improvements to navigation and how routes are displayed within the Maps app.
Google
also improved the way routes are displayed within Maps, making it
easier to view route details. After selecting a route, users can now
view the estimated travel and arrival time, as well as total distance,
while in navigation mode. And all maps now include a scale bar to help
estimate distances.
Taking public transit? Plan your route
Google Maps is a mainstay for many who rely on public transportation
to get around. Google has now made transit directions even better by
adding new ways for users to plan their route.
Users can plan routes based on desired departure or arrival time, or
choose "last" to see when the last available transit will be. This
feature, available under the "options" menu," is particularly handy in
cites such as San Francisco where public transportation doesn't run all
night in many areas.
Google Maps provides new options
for public transportation that allow users to choose the last available
route, or compare their route with Uber.
Additionally,
when you search for transit (or walking) directions, the results now
surface estimates for an Uber ride if you have the app installed. "Get
an Uber," appears at the end of the list," along with an estimate of how
long said Uber ride will take. Selecting this option opens the Uber app
where you can request a ride.
Get better search results
Search results have also been fine-tuned in Maps to give users more
control over the results, and to make it easier for them to find what
they're looking for.
When searching for restaurants, bars and hotels, users can now filter
search results by price, rating and whether or not an establishment is
currently open.
Google Maps now allows you to filter search results by rating, price, and whether or not an establishment is currently open.
To
take advantage of the new feature, simply tap the filter button in the
search bar or the results page, and select the desired filters.
Unfortunately, the app doesn't save filter preferences, so you will have
to apply the filters again with each new search.
Google also added a series of features that make it easier to search
for destinations, including voice-enabled searching, which can be
activated by tapping the microphone icon in the search bar. Maps also
now integrates with your device's contacts, so you can search for
destinations based on information stored in your address book.
Going offline? Save Maps for later
Tuesday's update wasn't the first time Google made offline maps
available, though it may be the first time many users have seen the
feature. Previously, maps could only be saved for offline viewing by
typing "OK Maps" into the app's search bar.
Google Maps now allows users to
save maps to view offline. Users can find their saved maps by tapping on
the person icon next to the search bar.
With
the Maps 3.0, Google has put offline maps front and center, so users
can easily save maps of any location they search by tapping the place
card, scrolling to the bottom and tapping "save map to use offline."
Saved maps are available across devices, and can be accessed by tapping the profile icon next to the search bar.
Using the app's offline option, you can save specific locations on
your phone to access even when you don't have an Internet connection.
That way, when you're on the subway or in an area with terrible cell
service, you can still pull up those saved maps and go on your merry
way.
However, this requires some preparation on your part. We used an iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S5 for a location-saving tutorial, but you can use any iPhone, iPad or Android device with Google Maps 3.0.
Here's a step-by-step guide to saving places on Google Maps. You can thank us later.
iPhone tutorial
1. Search for a location. We chose 'Empire State Building.'
Image: Google Maps
2. When it appears, click the info bar at the bottom and roll it up.
Image: Google Maps
3. Scroll to the bottom, where you'll see the option 'Save map to use offline.'
Image: Google Maps
4. You should see a confirmation at the top that says, 'Map saved.'
Image: Google Maps
5. Once you're offline, go to your profile to see saved maps.
You can get to your profile by clicking on the
person icon in the top-right corner of the Google Maps homepage. Once
you're on your profile, you'll see the option to look at "Offline Maps."
Click the map you want.
Image: Google Maps
6. Voilà – here's your map.
Image: Google Maps
Android tutorial
Now for the second round. Here's how to save locations on an Android
phone. The steps and interface are essentially the same, but we included
it to avoid any confusion.
1. Search for a location. We stuck with 'Empire State Building.'
Image: Google Maps
2. Select the white info log on the bottom and scroll down. You'll see 'Save map to use offline' at the bottom.
Image: Google Maps
3. Google Maps will prompt you with the option 'Save this map?' Go ahead and save it.
Image: Google Maps
4. You'll see the 'Map saved' confirmation.
Image: Google Maps
5. Name the offline map.
Image: Google Maps
6. To see the offline map, go to your profile.
Just like on the iPhone, you can get to your
profile by clicking the person icon in the top-right corner of the
Google Maps homepage. Once on your profile, you'll see the option to
look at "Offline Maps." Click the map you want. Bon voyage!
