At the annual Google keynote conference – Google I/O 2018, Google has revealed several new updates and features including its mobile apps, Android operating system, and AI research. Google is updating its other platforms as well and also announced many updates in its latest upcoming Android OS version i.e. Android P which is expected to be launched in Aug 2018.

Google is set to make one of its most popular apps – Google Maps – more better with several new features. Google Maps will now be more helpful and personal in nature. If you don’t know about the current Google Map API setup then note that Google previously had 18 separate API’s that developers could access. One of the largest changes Google is making now is breaking these 18 individual API’s into three core parts i.e. Maps, Routes and Places.

Google also informed that existing codes of developers will continue to work without any issues. Google also has plans to upgrade its support for game developers. Google has also partnered with Lyft, a ride sharing app to fully integrate Google Maps into the app.

Google I/O 2018 has also brought many good news for the App Development companies as this will allow them to develop user friendly, attractive and amazing mobile apps. In Google I/O, Google also revealed Updates in AndroidX Development which is the development of mobile apps using Android extension libraries. In this article, as our main focus on the latest development and updates in the Google Maps app hence now we will tell you about some of the new features which are coming to Google Maps after Google I/O 2018:

• For You Tab:
  This new feature will allow users to know about the latest happenings in their nearby areas for e.g. you can know about the best café in your area or a new restaurant which has opened up in the For You Tab. It will have all the news about trending location or updates from our best business office. It will also have recommendations based on previous likes and preferences.

• Google Lens in Maps:
  Innovative mobile app developer can also use the Google Lens feature in their app development. Google Maps is now combining Street View and data from Maps using a smartphone’s camera for better and easier navigation. It will bring visual assistance to the camera and help in better navigation and identification of nearby places.

• Group Planning:
  This new feature will help the users to coordinate with their friends and family without any need to leave the Maps app. You just need to long press the places of interest and it can be added to a list which others can see. It also allows users to chat and select the place. Also, Google Maps can be used to book a reservation on that place and also to find a ride to that place.

• Sharing Expected Time of Arrival:
  Google Maps with the help of Google Assistant can now send message to your friends the expected time of your arrival. It calculates on the basis of how much time one can take to reach a particular location.

• Your Match Score :
  Google Maps will depend on machine learning and allow users to give user ratings about the location you have been, depending on their experience.  Hence one can give a rating to a restaurant directly on the Maps app.

All these features have been rolled out in Google Maps on both Android and iOS after their announcement in the Google I/O 2018.

Conclusion

In past, the developers had some complaints regarding Google Maps API’s and Google has tried to address those in this year Google I/O keynote conference. All of the above new updates and shifts by Google to use real-world mapping technology will improve the entertainment, gaming, booking and other kind of app experience and it is a good step in the right direction. With this, Google Maps app which is already so much popular among Android and iOS phone users will become even more popular as users will find its new features highly useful and user friendly and make the experience of using Google Maps a most exciting one.