Google Maps is the most widely used commercial mapping technology in the world. Whether you want to find a restaurant, directions to the restaurant, or see a street view of the area around the restaurant, Google Maps is likely your go-to option. Google now wants Apps to do even more and is debuting a new “Immersive Mode”.
As you might expect, Google is constantly looking for ways to boost the abilities of Maps and frequently expands the feature set. At its Google I/O developer conference (which is currently happening), the company explains how it uses AI to boost the capabilities of Maps.
Immersive Mode is the latest AI-powered development, an attempt to give users even more navigation options in Street View and traditional maps.
Google says the new feature provides a more in-depth view of the world, an immersive view that puts users at the heart of a landmark, street, or other areas of interest.
Details
For tourists and travelers, discovering attractions will become more dynamic and they will look more realistic on Google Maps. The company suggests it will be like actually being at the location:
“Say you're planning a trip to London and want to figure out the best sights to see and places to eat. With a quick search, you can virtually soar over Westminster to see the neighborhood and stunning architecture of places, like Big Ben, up close. With Google Maps' helpful information layered on top, you can use the time slider to check out what the area looks like at different times of day and in various weather conditions, and see where the busy spots are.”
The new Immersive Mode works on Google Maps across platforms. However, it will debut soon in select markets like London, New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Google says it will expand to other cities in the future.
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