It would not be wrong to say that Google Maps is the most important application for every type of mobile phone, not because there are no alternatives, but because it brings with it many of those features that really become essential for everyone.
While on Android smartphones it is almost always pre-installed, Google Maps on iPhone is often the first application that is downloaded.
Recently, Google Maps has added some new functions that help a lot those who have to move by car, which surround the included GPS navigator making it better than that of the TomTom or any other tool.
In particular we are going to talk about the possibility of requesting information, the possibility of booking taxis and car rides, how Google wants to give concrete support in finding parking in busy cities and other options on the routes to follow.
READ ALSO: 20 most useful and hidden Google Maps functions
1) Know if you can park in a certain area and where.
Speaking immediately of the most recent function of Google Maps, we see that it is possible to know, before arriving at a place, if there are parking problems.
For example, going to the center of Rome, Google Maps will report the problem of finding parking.
The information is displayed when setting a route asking for directions, before pressing Start to start the guided navigation.
In the route information section, next to the expected travel time, there is a red letter P if there is difficulty parking in the destination street.
The function is active, for now, only in some cities such as Rome and Milan.
In the USA and only on Google Maps for Android, the Find parking function is also available, to receive directions on the best road to park in which is close to the place where you have chosen to go by car.
We hope that this feature will also soon arrive in Italy, especially in the more complicated cities such as Rome, Milan and Naples.
2) Save the position of the parked car
Using Google Maps it is possible to save the parking position almost automatically.
When you arrive at your destination and after parking, simply open Google Maps and touch the blue pin that indicates our current position to be able to mark it with a P indicating the parked car.
Once the position has been added, you can tap on Information to insert parking notes, to insert the remaining time before they make us a fine (so as to receive a notice a few minutes earlier) and to add a photo.
3) Asking for information about a place
When looking for a shop or restaurant or other place in Google Maps, in the tab of the selected place you can ask a question and wait for someone to answer.
You can ask when it opens, how you can pay, the exact location, which nearby reference point can help us find it, if you eat fish, if there is a kitchen for celiacs and what you want.
The answer can come within half an hour because anyone can give it, not just the owners of the restaurants or shops.
To ask questions, search for the name of a place, then tap the information button and scroll down until you find the box to write to.
Below, you can read other questions already asked and reviews.
4) See where a friend is in real time
As already explained in another article, it is possible to share the position in Google Maps, in real time, to be followed on the map.
Conversely, you can ask a friend to share the position to find out where he is and when he comes to us.
The function can be used from the main menu of Google Maps, the one on the left, or while browsing, by touching the white bar at the bottom.
5) Uber, Taxi and BlaBlaCar
Looking for directions to get somewhere, before starting the navigator, you can choose to see the route by public transport, on foot or even by taking a taxi.
Touching the icon of the little man with his arm raised, a box opens where you can launch the MyTaxi app that allows us to call a taxi without making calls, to get them as soon as possible.
In addition to MyTaxi, you can also book a ride with Uber, if available.
In the future, the BlaBlaCar service, that of car sharing, should also be integrated, where you can receive a ride from someone going in the same direction.
In all cases the price you are going to pay and the waiting time for the taxi or Uber are also written.
6) Public transportation options
Google Maps is able to tell us, in many cases, not only which bus or subway to take, but also how long we have to wait for it at the stop and all the stops it has to do.
For this purpose, however, you can do better with the Moovit app that shows bus and metro timetables in Rome, Milan and Italian cities, in real time.
7) Add multiple stops while browsing
During a route with GPS navigator, you can add other waypoints easily.
Before starting the navigator and after pressing the directions button, tap the button with three dots next to "your position" at the top right to find the option that adds a waypoint to the route.
The stages can be reordered by moving them with the finger up and down.
While navigating, you can delete an intermediate stage by tapping on the white bar at the bottom, making the various options appear to search for and remove the next stage.
8) Avoid tolls and toll motorways
During a trip, if you don't want to make highways, you have to tell Google Maps to study a route without tolls.
After seeing the directions, before starting the navigator, touch the button with three dots in the upper right to find the route options.
Here you can decide to avoid tolls, highways and ferries.
BONUS: While browsing, if you touch the search icon on the screen you can find nearby places such as petrol stations, restaurants, bars and supermarkets.
READ ALSO: Tricks and secrets of the Google Maps Navigator app on Android and iPhone
While on Android smartphones it is almost always pre-installed, Google Maps on iPhone is often the first application that is downloaded.
Recently, Google Maps has added some new functions that help a lot those who have to move by car, which surround the included GPS navigator making it better than that of the TomTom or any other tool.
In particular we are going to talk about the possibility of requesting information, the possibility of booking taxis and car rides, how Google wants to give concrete support in finding parking in busy cities and other options on the routes to follow.
READ ALSO: 20 most useful and hidden Google Maps functions
1) Know if you can park in a certain area and where.
Speaking immediately of the most recent function of Google Maps, we see that it is possible to know, before arriving at a place, if there are parking problems.
For example, going to the center of Rome, Google Maps will report the problem of finding parking.
The information is displayed when setting a route asking for directions, before pressing Start to start the guided navigation.
In the route information section, next to the expected travel time, there is a red letter P if there is difficulty parking in the destination street.
The function is active, for now, only in some cities such as Rome and Milan.
In the USA and only on Google Maps for Android, the Find parking function is also available, to receive directions on the best road to park in which is close to the place where you have chosen to go by car.
We hope that this feature will also soon arrive in Italy, especially in the more complicated cities such as Rome, Milan and Naples.
2) Save the position of the parked car
Using Google Maps it is possible to save the parking position almost automatically.
When you arrive at your destination and after parking, simply open Google Maps and touch the blue pin that indicates our current position to be able to mark it with a P indicating the parked car.
Once the position has been added, you can tap on Information to insert parking notes, to insert the remaining time before they make us a fine (so as to receive a notice a few minutes earlier) and to add a photo.
3) Asking for information about a place
When looking for a shop or restaurant or other place in Google Maps, in the tab of the selected place you can ask a question and wait for someone to answer.
You can ask when it opens, how you can pay, the exact location, which nearby reference point can help us find it, if you eat fish, if there is a kitchen for celiacs and what you want.
The answer can come within half an hour because anyone can give it, not just the owners of the restaurants or shops.
To ask questions, search for the name of a place, then tap the information button and scroll down until you find the box to write to.
Below, you can read other questions already asked and reviews.
4) See where a friend is in real time
As already explained in another article, it is possible to share the position in Google Maps, in real time, to be followed on the map.
Conversely, you can ask a friend to share the position to find out where he is and when he comes to us.
The function can be used from the main menu of Google Maps, the one on the left, or while browsing, by touching the white bar at the bottom.
5) Uber, Taxi and BlaBlaCar
Looking for directions to get somewhere, before starting the navigator, you can choose to see the route by public transport, on foot or even by taking a taxi.
Touching the icon of the little man with his arm raised, a box opens where you can launch the MyTaxi app that allows us to call a taxi without making calls, to get them as soon as possible.
In addition to MyTaxi, you can also book a ride with Uber, if available.
In the future, the BlaBlaCar service, that of car sharing, should also be integrated, where you can receive a ride from someone going in the same direction.
In all cases the price you are going to pay and the waiting time for the taxi or Uber are also written.
6) Public transportation options
Google Maps is able to tell us, in many cases, not only which bus or subway to take, but also how long we have to wait for it at the stop and all the stops it has to do.
For this purpose, however, you can do better with the Moovit app that shows bus and metro timetables in Rome, Milan and Italian cities, in real time.
7) Add multiple stops while browsing
During a route with GPS navigator, you can add other waypoints easily.
Before starting the navigator and after pressing the directions button, tap the button with three dots next to "your position" at the top right to find the option that adds a waypoint to the route.
The stages can be reordered by moving them with the finger up and down.
While navigating, you can delete an intermediate stage by tapping on the white bar at the bottom, making the various options appear to search for and remove the next stage.
8) Avoid tolls and toll motorways
During a trip, if you don't want to make highways, you have to tell Google Maps to study a route without tolls.
After seeing the directions, before starting the navigator, touch the button with three dots in the upper right to find the route options.
Here you can decide to avoid tolls, highways and ferries.
BONUS: While browsing, if you touch the search icon on the screen you can find nearby places such as petrol stations, restaurants, bars and supermarkets.
READ ALSO: Tricks and secrets of the Google Maps Navigator app on Android and iPhone
