Google Maps is definitely the best satellite navigator that can be used today, not only because it is always up to date, but also because it is interactive and based on information in real time. Google Maps is one of the best products of Google and its integration within Android is one of the main strengths of almost all smartphones today.
A navigator like the one integrated in Google Maps becomes convenient not only to find the unknown road to get to a new place, but also to find the fastest way to get to a known place, even to go to the office for example.
In cities like Rome, before moving from home or before returning home, it is advisable to take a look at Google Maps, see the traffic situation in real time and get advice on the free way, even if longer.
Keeping the navigator active will always choose the road less traveled and you will receive warnings about accidents or work in progress that cause slowdowns.
Google Maps is also a very useful app when you are walking around a city, to know where you are, to find itineraries and places to see or eat.
Since Google Maps is perhaps the most installed and most used app in the world, we see here a guide, concise but complete, to the application to discover all its secrets, tricks and hidden functions .
Although the guide is based on Google Maps for Android, it also applies to Google Maps on iPhone which changes very little.
READ ALSO: Use hidden functions in Google Maps with small tricks
1) The search bar to find places
In Google Maps you can search for a street or the name of a special place by tapping on the search bar at the top.
You can search for states, cities, shops, tourist attractions and full addresses.
The search works only with the internet connection active.
Touching the search bar also expands a list of objects which, scrolling from above, are:
- Frequent searches with the button to access the history .
- The button to explore the surroundings to find suitable nearby places right now.
For example, if you are looking for a place nearby at dinner time, pizzerias and restaurants will be suggested.
For each place a tab will open with the phone number, address, opening and closing times and you can press the button with the drawing of a car to start the navigator with the road signs (which we will discuss later in this post).
- Points of interest and services : hospitals, pharmacies, supermarkets, ATMs etc.
- History of places already searched that are close to us.
- Button to save the map offline (READ ALSO: How to download maps with Google Maps )
Pressing it opens a screen with the map that you can zoom to include a larger or smaller area.
Finally press Save and wait for the download.
This portion of the saved map can also be viewed without an internet connection.
Selecting an item from the search results or one of the proposed elements, the map will open in that position.
You can also search for places on Android by pressing the microphone button at the top right.
Voice commands work well on Google Maps also to start the navigator automatically.
2) Explore the surroundings
When Google Maps is stopped in a position detected by GPS or by cellular or Wi-Fi networks, a bar appears at the bottom with a small star and the word "explore the surroundings" which takes you back to the exploration function already seen in the previous point.
For each place in this section it is possible to open a form to call him or go to his website, read the reviews and write his own, give an evaluation with the stars and suggest changes to the main form.
3) The map and the main menu
The map in Google Maps has different types of views that can be selected from the side menu .
Swipe your finger on the screen from left to right or tap the button with three lines at the top to open the menu and choose the Satellite view, the traffic view, the relief view, the view of cycle paths, the public transport service, the Google view Earth and the list of favorite saved places.
Google Earth, the 3D view of every place on Earth, requires the installation of the Google Earth app, separate from Google Maps.
There are also three floating buttons on the map:
- The one on the top right with a compass symbol serves to point north when touched.
- The one with the round bottom puts us in the center of the map, with a blue dot.
- The Blue one with the arrow instead opens the navigator to get driving directions.
If the blue button has the design of the machine, you can touch it and keep it pressed to immediately start the navigator towards the selected point.
The map can be scrolled using one or two fingers on the screen .
You can tilt the frame of the map by sliding two fingers from up to down and you can change orientation by moving two fingers in rotation.
By double-tapping on the map and then holding it down with one finger, you can then zoom in by moving your finger up and down.
If you search for a place, it is indicated on the map with a red mushroom ; It also appears by pressing on any point on the map, this is selected and the red mushroom appears.
Touching the red mushroom opens a tab with the details of that point and with two buttons, one to save it in your favorites, the other to share that point with another person on Facebook, on Whatsapp, via SMS or other apps
You can also open the Street View view, if available, of that chosen point, to see it photographed at 360 degrees.
From PC you can send Google Maps addresses to Android and iPhone in order to speed up the search.
3) Navigate to a chosen place.
Once you have chosen a place, this appears with a pu you will see a circle in the lower right corner with the car icon that opens the GPS turn by turn navigator .
By default the button has the car icon, but it is also possible to change and ask for directions to go on foot or by bicycle.
The choice between car, public transport and on foot is done by touching the buttons at the top of the next screen.
Here is the starting point which is usually " your position ", the arrival point, a preview of the map and the writing to start the navigator and start with driving directions.
There is also an Options key to choose to avoid highways, tolls or ferries.
The preview of the map also indicates the arrival time which is colored green, yellow or red depending on the traffic .
The estimated arrival time without traffic is also specified and you will also find information on any accidents or work on the route.
Many ignore that scrolling down the page you will find alternative routes, to be looked at if you are not convinced of the suggested itinerary.
MAKEUP: The Google Maps navigator works even without internet connection
4) While driving in the car
The screen is entirely dedicated to the map and it will be sufficient to follow the indicated road of Blu.
During navigation you can move the map; pressing on resume, you return to the navigator.
At the bottom the bar marks the remaining time, the kilometers to go and two buttons, one to change the type of view, the other to see the alternative routes.
By changing the type of view you can ask to view the traffic situation on the roads and activate the satellite view.
Pressing the X opens the preview of the route to follow with the two-dimensional map, easier to check if everything is fine or if there are accidents around.
From this screen, touch the bar at the bottom to see the list of directions and all the routes on the itinerary.
By touching every single part of the itinerary, you can see it on the map and you can scroll through all the stages by pressing the arrows at the bottom right.
By touching the button with three dots at the top right you can share the directions with other people on Whatsapp, Gmail, SMS or other.
5) Navigator with public transport
What changes in the alternative navigation modes, by public transport are the options.
You can choose the best route, only by bus or only by train or subway, with less walking and less changes possible.
Google Maps is also able to tell us what time the buses arrive at the stop in addition to travel times.
6) Location history
Google Maps, by default, saves a history of all the places you go and the trips made.
The fact that the places we go and the movements are recorded on Android where it is also explained how to disable it.
7) Settings
From the left menu that appears by moving your finger from left to right, you can scroll down and find the settings button.
From the settings it is useful to mark the home and work addresses, manage the history and manage the geolocation.
8) Add speed limits to Google Maps with the Velociraptor app.
CONTINUE ON: 8 New features in Google Maps: parking, taxis and information on everything
If you were looking for an alternative to Google Maps, the Nokia Here Maps satellite navigator for Android and iPhone is free and offline .
