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Tag: Google Maps

  • Google Maps Announces New Features In India: Alerts for Road Widths, Flyovers & More |

    New Delhi: Google Maps has revolutionized the way we navigate our world and made life so much easier. From finding the quickest route to discovering new places, it has become an essential tool for daily living. Now, Google Maps has announced an exciting new set of features specifically designed for India.

    The company is introducing a new feature which will help reduce the narrow roads for driving four-wheelers. This feature will utilize AI to estimate road widths and will be available for Maps users in India. By incorporating satellite imagery, Street View, and other data, Google Maps can estimate road widths at scale. This will ensure safer travel and will be more reliable for four-wheeler drivers, bikers, pedestrians and other commuters using narrow roads.

    “Clear Callouts” for Narrow Roads in 8 Cities

    It will also add “clear callouts” in its Directions and Navigations screens to alert users about narrow sections on their route. This new feature will start rolling out on Android devices this week in eight cities which includes Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Indore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati. Support for iOS and expansion to more cities are planned for the future.

    Flyover Navigation Now Available in 40 Indian Cities

    One of the features on Google Maps will help drivers navigate flyovers in many Indian cities. The app will highlight flyovers on recommended routes that will allow drivers to prepare in advance. The feature will be available for both four-wheeler and two-wheeler navigation in 40 cities across India on Android apps and Android Auto. Support for iOS and CarPlay is coming soon.

    Info for 8,000 EV Charging Stations

    Google Maps and Google search will now provide information about EV charging stations in India for electric (EV) users. It is collaborating with leading EV charging providers to offer authoritative details for over 8,000 charging stations that will cover a significant portion of the available charging stations in the country.

    Book Metro Tickets in Kochi and Chennai via Google Maps

    Google Maps now makes it easy to book metro tickets in Kochi and Chennai through a partnership with ONDC and Namma Yatri.

    Easily Report Road Incidents

    The company has also simplified reporting road incidents. With just a few taps, users can report construction or traffic issues and confirm others’ reports to improve information reliability. This update is available on all platforms, including Android, iOS, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

    Curated Lists for Dining and Tourist Spots

    Google is teaming up with NDTV Food and MagicPin to bring curated lists to ten cities: Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Jaipur. These lists will offer recommendations for tourist spots and dining options and make it even easier to explore and enjoy new places.

  • Google Maps Vs Ola Maps: Which Navigation App Delivers Best Features For Indian Users? ,

    Google Maps Vs Ola Maps: In the dynamic world of navigation apps, Google Maps and Ola Maps stand out as two prominent players, each offering unique features tailored to diverse user needs. Google Maps, renowned for its comprehensive global coverage, real-time traffic updates, and seamless integration with various services has set a high benchmark in navigation technology.

    On the other hand, Ola Maps, backed by the ride-hailing giant Ola, provides localized insights and a user-centric approach that caters specifically to Indian users. Both the Google Maps and Ola Maps are digital mapping and navigation services. Ola has recently unveiled a substantial price cut in its pricing structure, coming on the heels of Google’s announcement of a 70 per cent reduction in Maps API fees for Indian developers and startups.

    Let’s Have A Quick Look On Key Difference in Google And Ola Maps:

    Google Maps vs Ola Maps: India-Centric Features

    Google Maps offers a broader set of features but may lack some local nuances that are essential for specific regions. Meanwhile, the Ola Maps may provide more India-specific features and detailed local information tailored to the unique needs and preferences of Indian users. This focus allows Ola Maps to deliver a more customized and relevant navigation experience for those within India, addressing local traffic patterns, regional landmarks, and cultural specifics that a globally oriented service like Google Maps might not fully capture.

    Google Maps vs Ola Maps: User Base

    Google Maps has a much larger, global user base, serving millions of users worldwide with its extensive and versatile mapping services. On the other hand, Ola Maps likely has a smaller, more India-focused user base, catering specifically to users within India. This localized approach allows Ola Maps to concentrate on providing features and information tailored to the needs of Indian users, while Google Maps’ broader reach accommodates a diverse range of international users.

    Google Maps vs Ola Maps: Different Data Sources

    Google Maps relies on a vast array of global data sources, leveraging information from numerous contributors worldwide to ensure comprehensive and accurate mapping services. On the other hand, Ola Maps may utilize more localized data sources within India, allowing it to provide detailed and relevant information tailored specifically to the Indian context. This localized approach helps Ola Maps deliver insights and features that are particularly useful for users navigating within India.

    Google Maps vs Ola Maps: Geographic Focus

    Google Maps provides global coverage, offering comprehensive mapping services for locations around the world. On the other hand, Ola Maps is primarily focused on India, delivering specialized features and local information tailored to the unique needs of Indian users. This specific focus allows Ola Maps to offer a more customized and relevant navigation experience for those navigating within India.

    Google Maps vs Ola Maps: Integration With Ride-Hailing

    Google Maps offers ride-hailing integration with multiple providers, giving users the flexibility to choose from various services when planning their journeys. Meanwhile, Ola Maps is more tightly integrated with Ola’s own ride-hailing services, providing a seamless experience for users who prefer to book rides through Ola. This close integration ensures a more cohesive experience for Ola customers, allowing them to access ride-hailing services directly within the Ola Maps app.

    Google Maps vs Ola Maps: Updates And Accuracy

    Google Maps is considered more frequently updated and accurate on a global scale, benefiting from its extensive resources and broad user base that contribute to its real-time data and coverage. However, Ola Maps might have specific advantages in certain Indian localities, offering more precise and relevant information tailored to regional needs. This localized expertise allows Ola Maps to excel in areas where its focus on India provides a competitive edge, addressing local conditions and user requirements more effectively than a global service might.

    Google Maps vs Ola Maps: Company Origin

    Google Maps is developed by Google, a multinational tech company known for its extensive global reach and technological expertise. Meanwhile, Ola Maps is developed by Ola, an Indian ride-hailing company with a focus on the Indian market. This difference reflects the distinct goals and specializations of each service, with Google Maps offering a broad, international perspective and Ola Maps concentrating on delivering tailored navigation solutions for users within India.

    Disclaimer: This comparison of Google Maps and Ola Maps is based on available information and personal opinions. Individual experiences may vary. Conduct your own research to choose the best service for you.

  • Expert Claims To Locate Aircraft In Jungle Using Google Maps

    Malaysia Airlines MH370 Google Maps: A Malaysia Airlines flight, MH370, which mysteriously disappeared from radar screens on March 8, 2014, while flying over the South China Sea, has once again become a topic of discussion. An expert has made a bizarre claim, stating that he ‘found’ the MH370 plane deep inside the Cambodian jungle using Google Maps.

    The disappearance of MH370 was one of Malaysia’s deadliest aviation incidents. The aircraft was heading from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 227 passengers and 12 crew members on board, all were presumed dead. On Saturday (May 25), British tabloids again published the report based on the comments of UK-based expert Ian Wilson, which he apparently made in 2018. 

    Daily Mirror, Daily Star, and Daily Record again published his comments, claiming that he found remains of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 while scanning satellite imagery on Google Maps, which became one of the top searches on Google. 

    According the reports, Wilson said- “I was on there (Google Earth), a few hours here, a few hours there. If you added it up I spent hours searching for places a plane could have gone down. And in the end, as you can see the place where the plane is. It is literally the greenest, darkest part you can see.”

    However, Wilson’s claims are not supported by any official statement. The authorities did not find any trace of MH370 yet and no one knows what exactly happened to the plane. After a decade of incident, the disappearance of MH370 from radar is still a mystery.

    In March, 2024, a Texas-based company, Ocean Infinity, proposed a new search with “no-cure, no-fee” approach to find the plane, in the southern Indian Ocean where it is believed to have crashed.

  • Google Maps Navigation Leads Hyderabad-Based Four Tourists Into Stream In Kerala |

    Kerala: Using Google Maps to navigate resulted in a tourist group from Hyderabad driving into a stream swollen with water near Kuruppanthara in this south Kerala district, police said on Saturday. The incident occurred late Friday night when the four-member group, including a woman, were going towards Alappuzha.

    The road they were travelling on was covered by water overflowing from the stream due to heavy rains and since the tourists were unfamiliar with the area, they drove right into the water body while navigating using Google maps, police said.

    All four managed to escape unharmed due to the efforts of a nearby police patrolling unit and local residents, but their vehicle was completely submerged under the water, an officer of Kaduthuruthy police station said. The vehicle -a Ford Endeavour – was later pulled out of the stream using a crane. (Also Read: CEO Elon Musk Accuses WhatsApp, Claims Meta App Breaches Private User Data Every Night)

    Thereafter, the man who was driving the vehicle told reporters that he and his friends were going to Alappuzha from Munnar and they took the route shown by Google Maps. “At around 2-3 pm, it started raining very heavily.

    The road was waterlogged. I was going very slow at around 10 kms per hour. But, suddenly the front tyres went deep into the water and the vehicle lost control. “Then the rear tyres also went in and the vehicle started floating forward. We quickly pulled down the windows and jumped out. We somehow managed to safely reach the shore,” he said.

    Meanwhile, residents of the area said such accidents happen there during the rainy season when the road gets submerged. This is not the first such Google map-related accident reported in Kerala. In October last year, two young doctors died in a car accident which occurred after they allegedly followed directions on Google Maps and fell into a river. (Also Read: WhatsApp To Soon Allow Users To Put AI-Generated Profile Photos Based On Interests, Personalities, Moods)

    Following the incident, the Kerala police had issued cautionary guidelines for using the technology during the monsoon season.

  • Railways to make use of Google Maps to allot take a look at centres to applicants inside 300 km of abode

    Via PTI

    NEW DELHI: In a primary, the Railways will now use Google Maps to hyperlink the positioning of applicants showing for its tests to check centres inside a 300-km radius so as to reduce their trip time.

    For many years, applicants showing for the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) tests have complained about take a look at centres being a ways clear of their abode, leading to no longer simplest long-distance trip but additionally bills because of accommodation and meals which they must be endure.

    “With this, we’re linking the pin codes of each and every candidate to an examination centre inside 300 km in their apartments thru Google Maps. Additionally, we’re making sure that the centres have simple get right of entry to to other modes of delivery like buses and trains. If this works, we will resolve some of the widespread and perennial proceedings of applicants,” a senior legit stated.

    The method will likely be rolled out within the Degree 6 and Degree 4 computer-based checks to be hung on July 30.

    Round 60,000 applicants will likely be showing for the take a look at at roughly 90 centres for 7,026 posts.

    “As of now, we have now been ready to deal with round 99 in line with cent of applicants who’ve been supplied centres inside a 300-km vary, whilst 100 in line with cent of feminine applicants had been accommodated inside 400 km,” the legit stated.

    Lots of the applicants took to Twitter after the RRB launched the examination town hyperlinks for the ultimate set of tests, elevating considerations about a ways away centres allocated to them.

    A Twitter person from Kolkata stated she have been assigned a centre in Karnataka, whilst a candidate in Bengaluru complained about being allocated a centre in Ranchi, which is ready 1,900 km away.

    Any other candidate stated her centre used to be 900 km from her place of origin.

    The officers stated applicants would get centres throughout the vary, nevertheless it may well be in a neighbouring state with just right connectivity.

    Alternatively, in north-eastern states, the Railways is discovering it tough to deal with applicants throughout the 300-km vary as there are just a few take a look at centres, they stated.

    NEW DELHI: In a primary, the Railways will now use Google Maps to hyperlink the positioning of applicants showing for its tests to check centres inside a 300-km radius so as to reduce their trip time.

    For many years, applicants showing for the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) tests have complained about take a look at centres being a ways clear of their abode, leading to no longer simplest long-distance trip but additionally bills because of accommodation and meals which they must be endure.

    “With this, we’re linking the pin codes of each and every candidate to an examination centre inside 300 km in their apartments thru Google Maps. Additionally, we’re making sure that the centres have simple get right of entry to to other modes of delivery like buses and trains. If this works, we will resolve some of the widespread and perennial proceedings of applicants,” a senior legit stated.

    The method will likely be rolled out within the Degree 6 and Degree 4 computer-based checks to be hung on July 30.

    Round 60,000 applicants will likely be showing for the take a look at at roughly 90 centres for 7,026 posts.

    “As of now, we have now been ready to deal with round 99 in line with cent of applicants who’ve been supplied centres inside a 300-km vary, whilst 100 in line with cent of feminine applicants had been accommodated inside 400 km,” the legit stated.

    Lots of the applicants took to Twitter after the RRB launched the examination town hyperlinks for the ultimate set of tests, elevating considerations about a ways away centres allocated to them.

    A Twitter person from Kolkata stated she have been assigned a centre in Karnataka, whilst a candidate in Bengaluru complained about being allocated a centre in Ranchi, which is ready 1,900 km away.

    Any other candidate stated her centre used to be 900 km from her place of origin.

    The officers stated applicants would get centres throughout the vary, nevertheless it may well be in a neighbouring state with just right connectivity.

    Alternatively, in north-eastern states, the Railways is discovering it tough to deal with applicants throughout the 300-km vary as there are just a few take a look at centres, they stated.