Tag: Maps

Huawei To Introduce Its Own Mapping System To Compete With Google Maps

With the advent of newer technology, lives have become easier. For example, unlike in the past where you had to ask for directions or use an unyieldingly large map, online mapping services have existed to make lives easier. Currently, Google dominates such a service with its extremely popular Google Maps. Many companies have tried to obtain a footing in the market like Apple and Blackberry, the latter miserably failing in this regard. According to a new report, Huawei is now also seeking to develop its own mapping service which will compete with Google Maps.

Who Is It For?

A fresh report originating from Huawei’s home country, China, has stated that the tech giant is seeking to challenge Google. However, the company is developing a mapping service which differs from its competitors. Unlike Google Maps, it is reportedly being made for developers which implies that it may be used by navigation or taxi-hailing services. It would also allow third-party developers to create utilize this service without creating their own.

Google Maps

Map Kit

A top executive at Huawei has revealed Map Kit as the name of the upcoming service. It will offer developers a street-level navigation system that they can use in their respective apps. Map Kit will also convey real-time traffic conditions and other related data. It could also imply an AR walking navigational system which is used by Google. Furthermore, the Map Kit will be connected to local mapping services and will have to rely on telecom base stations that offer positioning data via satellites.

Google Maps AR Navigational Feature

Will It Succeed?

The report also states that Huawei is partnering up with Booking Holdings. Notably, Booking is currently reliant on Google Maps. Hence Map Kit might just be a customer and not actually a data provider. Huawei will have to invest heavily to compete in the mapping service market which has been notoriously difficult to crack. As mentioned earlier, Google is the only company to see success in the business while even Apple is lagging behind the search giant. Nokia too had tried and failed with its Here Maps as did Blackberry in the past.

iOS 13 Maps

Also Read: YouTube Original Series Will Be Free To Watch From 24th September

Why Is Huawei Making Map Kit?

Huawei’s new mapping service is probably in response to the trade ban imposed on it by the US Government. The trade ban it had received has since been temporarily revoked but its implications still stand evident. US and western-based companies can cut ties from the company at any given moment. Thus, the move arrives with a more self-sufficient motive rather than just a revenue-generating one.

August 17, 2019
Google Maps Now Helps You Retrace Your Every Step

One of the features of the modern day lifestyle is the GPS tracking devices on our Android or iOS phones and laptops, with the most famous tracking app being, Google Maps. We all know how this works regardless of whether we own a smartphone or not. Google Maps already knows your location so you just have to add your destination address and voila, it shows you the way.

Image Source: Mashable

This app is usually helpful, but there are times when Google Maps either takes you to some remote location or you forget which road to take etc. Although, Google Maps previously did have a location history setting, now, it has come out with a new feature called Your Timeline.

The new Timeline is curated in a more efficient way than the location history and allows you to rename a location or remove a location and allows you to check where you were at any given time.The location history of the Timeline is private and can be deleted by the user from the settings menu. The new feature also allows you to control your account settings if you don’t want Google to track your location history.

The new Your Timeline feature is soon to be out for desktop users too.

Source: [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://mashable.com/2015/07/22/google-maps-your-timeline/”]Mashable[/tw-button]

July 23, 2015
Here’s How Drones Are Helping Search for Earthquake Survivors in Nepal

Nepal was hit by one of the most dangerous earthquakes, with the death toll rising more than 6,000 and many more missing. The quake toppled most of their buildings, from where people and dead bodies are still being removed. Technology has played an important role in managing the after-disaster effect. From Google’s Person Finder and Facebook’s donation drive to major telecom operators proving cheaper or free services, technology is doing its best to help Nepal regain its losses.

Drones are playing an indispensable role in the search mission to inaccessible areas. Experts of Etobicoke, Ontario-based GlobalMedic, which manages Unmanned Ariel Vehicles (UAV) have already sent a fleet to the Himalayas. The drones are now aerially mapping the crisis-hit area and compiling the images into maps. A GlobalMedic spokeswoman says searching for survivors becomes very much extensive using drones. For now, the organization is using three high-end drones built by Aeryon Labs and are controlled by a touch-screen interface. These are equipped with thermal cameras that come in handy while locating for people under rubble or snow.

Other than the drones, crowdsourcing maps is another important tech that is being used right now in Nepal. This mapping works by calculating distances and plot-driving routes using satellite imagery, private images and open-source mapping technology to re-map areas that are affected by the earthquake. All damaged structures and difficult areas are marked, thus making it easier for rescue workers to engage through less dangerous routes. 48 hours after the earthquake hit Nepal, 2,000 online mappers made three million edits. This tech was first used during the Haiti earthquake in 2010.

Read more about how Facebook, Google, and major telecom services played their part in helping Nepal at this time of crisis here.

Click here to see the aftermath of the Nepal Earthquake.

May 3, 2015
Google Launches Indoor Maps in India
Google announced indoor maps for a number of public spaces such as malls etc today. After giving us the street view for the historical monuments, Google will now provide view for malls.

The indoor maps launched today include locations like:
- Shopping Centres
  - Bangalore
    
    Ascendas Park Square Mall
    
    Gopalan Arcade Mall
    
    Gopalan Innovation Mall
    
    Gopalan Legacy Mall
    
    Gopalan Signature Mall
    
    Inorbit Mall Banglore
    
    Orion Mall
    
    The Forum
    
    UB city
  - Bhopal
    
    Ashima Mall
    
    C21 Mall
  - Chennai
    
    Ampa SkyWalk
    
    Bergamo
    
    Forum Vijay Mall
    
    Ramee Mall
    
    Spectrum
  - Coimbatore
    
    Fun Republic Mall
  - Chandigarh
    
    DLF City Centre
    
    Fun Republic Mall
  - Dehradun
    
    Pacific Mall
  - Delhi
    
    Ansal Plaza, Khel Gaon
    
    Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj
    
    DLF Emporio Mall, Vasant Kunj
    
    DLF Place Saket
    
    DLF Promenade Mall
    
    MGF Metropolitan Saket
    
    MGF Square City
    
    Pacific Mall (Tagore garden)
    
    Select City Walk Saket
  - Ghaziabad
    
    Pacific Mall
    
    Shipra Mall
    
    The Opulent
  - Goa
    
    Caculo Mall
  - Gurgaon
    
    Ambience Mall
    
    Ansals Palam Vihar
    
    MGF Mega City
    
    MGF Metropolitan Mall
    
    Sahara Mall
  - Hyderabad
    
    Inorbit Mall
    
    Manjeera Mall
    
    Prasadz
  - Jaipur
    
    MGF Metropolitan Mall
    
    Pink Square Mall
    
    World Trade Park
    
    Triton Mall
    
    Crystal Court
  - Kochi
    
    Abad Nucleus Mall
    
    Bay Pride Mall
    
    LuLu International shopping mall
  - Kolkata
    
    City Centre
    
    City Centre II
    
    Merlin Homeland Mall
  - Lucknow
    
    Fun Republic Mall
    
    West End Mall
  - Ludhiana
    
    West End Mall
  - Moradabad
    
    West End Mall
  - Mumbai
    
    Fun Republic
    
    Growel Mall
    
    Inorbit mall Malad
    
    Inorbit mall Vashi
    
    Korum Mall
    
    Palladium Mall
    
    R City
  - Noida
    
    Ansals
    
    Centre Stage Mall
    
    Great India Place
  - Pune
    
    Amanora Park Town
    
    Inorbit Mall
    
    Kumar Pacific Mall
    
    Phoenix Market City
  - Raipur
    
    City Centre 36
  - Vadodara
    
    Inorbit Mall
- Museums
  - Delhi
    
    National Gallery Of Modern Art
  - Hyderabad
    
    Salar jung
- Convention Centers
  - Hyderabad International Convention Center
- Retail
  - Bangalore Hypercity, Inorbit Mall
The list above shows all the locations where indoor maps can be used via Google Maps. In some locations, users will have the option of using the indoor My Location feature. Which allows you to move up or down a level in a building with multiple floors, the map will automatically update to display which floor you are on.
March 5, 2014
Google Updates Navigation Bar and other Products as well

Google introduced a new navigation bar, which will be rolling out across most Google properties over the next few weeks, Manager(Google), Eddie Kessler wrote in a blog post.

“Getting around Google should be seamless, and once you’re inside an app, you don’t want any distractions,” Kessler wrote. “So we’re introducing an updated Google bar that streamlines your experience across products and devices.”

There will also be a new app launcher from which you can easily access all your Google apps, like Gmail, Maps, Search, YouTube, News etc. The new app launcher is located at the top right of the screen and will also be present on Android devices and Chromebooks.

Google also released a new version of its Chrome Web browser for Apple’s iOS 7. The updated mobile browser sports a new design and makes it easier to switch between Chrome and other Google apps on your iOS device.

September 21, 2013
Apple Acquires Transportation App HopStop
Apple, in a bid to improve its infamous mapping system, today acquired popular transportation app HopStop.

Apple confirmed the purchase late Friday afternoon, though did not go into detail about what it intends to do with the company.

The new mapping software Apple debuted in September with the iPhone 5 has been faulted for getting users lost and for its lack of public transportation directions. HopStop shows users in more than 500 cities the fastest way to travel by foot, bike, subway and car; Locationary deploys real-time data from a variety of sources to help users find featured businesses.

The functionality is similar to the newly-acquired Waze, except it is for transit rather than automobile traffic.

HopStop’s App Store description reads :

Get detailed subway, bus, train, taxi, walking and biking directions, real-time transit information via “HopStop Live!”, as well as official transit maps, nearby station search, and station-to-station schedules in over 600 cities throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

In addition, you’ll benefit from our latest feature, HopStop Live!, which lets you see what other HopStop users are saying, in real-time, about the stations, trains, lines and buses you use most. HopStop Live! empowers our community of millions of transit riders to work together towards a common goal to get everyone to where they need to go, faster.

With HopStop Live! you can:
- Follow your favorite lines, stations or stops
- Report real-time delays and issues
- Contribute pictures of what you’re seeing on buses and trains
- Share to Facebook and Twitter
The app also supports these great features as well:
- Get directions from your current location
- Get schedules for hundreds of regional rails, subways, buses, ferries, light rails, streetcars, trams, trolleys & more
- Map a location & see nearby subway & bus stops
- Estimate travel time & cost for a taxi & call cab companies
- See a list of all possible routes with Smart Route
- Get biking directions in NYC, DC, Chicago, & SF
Earlier on Friday a report from All Things Digital noted that Apple had purchased Locationary, a location-based data company that blended data from multiple sources, including things like business listings and products and services.

[Via]
July 20, 2013
Tata Vista and Manza now offered with MapmyIndia Sat-Nav

While the top-end models of the Tata Vista hatchback and Manza sedan are shipped with an infotainment system featuring integrated satellite navigation (sat-nav), Tata Motors has now entered into an association with which the sat-nav device will be offered as a standard feature in the Vista D90 ZX+ with maps from MapmyIndia.

Tata Motors is known as a vehicle manufacturer with a deep understanding of customer needs; the car models reflect this philosophy. Similarly, at MapmyIndia we take into account customer feedback and incorporate it into our product offerings. We are extremely happy to have partnered with Tata Motors to bring a superior GPS ‘navitainment’ experience to Tata Vista D90 customers. We remain committed to developing superior products and set new benchmarks with best in-class features that meet the needs of the Indian car buyer.
– Shivalik Prasad, Executive Director, MapmyIndia

Owners of the Tata Vista D90 ZX+ and of the VX, GVX, EX and GEX variants of the Manza will now be able to use updated maps from MapmyIndia, covering 10.33 million locations, 1.9 million road kilometres, 6,00,000 villages, 4,787 cities at street-level, 50 cities at house-level, 46 cities in full 3D and driving directions to 30,000 tourist locations. The navigation system will also offer features like extended lane guidance, sign-posts, rich points of interest, regional voice guidance and regional maps, turn-by-turn and voice-guided navigation, 3D imagery for India which includes full scale 3D landmarks across the country snd 3D city models which will include 3D buildings for residential and commercial areas across 36 major cities in India.

Sat-nav systems are of great help in finding locations reducing wastages of time and fuel while also making one’s drive comfortable and safer. Sat-nav systems are yet to pick up in India due to incomplete and inaccurate mapping, however organisations such as MapmyIndia are working to provide an updated range of maps across cities outside the metros. Expect to see more indigenous cars with in-built and functional sat-nav systems in the coming years.

June 12, 2013
Google Maps get redesigned; Improve the Search and Tablet Interface

Although the information was already leaked ahead of the time, the final announcement has been made. Talking at the Google I/O conference the company has taken wraps off the next major release of Google Maps for Android and iOS. The new design targeted at a personalized approach to the maps use, sports a rating system and offers experience from various retail merchants.

Like a friend drawing you a map to her favorite restaurant, with only the roads and landmarks you need to get there, the new Google Maps instantly changes to highlight information that matters most.

And the more you interact with the map, the better it gets. When you set your Home and Work locations, star favorite places, write reviews and share with friends, Google Maps will build even more useful maps with recommendations for places you might enjoy.

Calling the desktop version a treasure chest of “immersive imagery”, Google says the redesigned map itself is now the user interface.

Easier to find the best local places
In addition to a customized map, we’ve also made it easier to uncover the best local gems. Search results are labeled directly on the map with brief place descriptions and icons that highlight business categories and other useful information – like restaurants that are recommended by your Google+ friends. Info cards provide helpful information such as business hours, and ratings and reviews so you can quickly decide where to eat, drink and play.

Of course, no map would be complete without amazing images for exploring the world. The new carousel gathers all Google Maps imagery in one spot enabling you to fly through cities, walk canyon trails, climb mountains, and even swim the oceans. And on a WebGL-enabled browser, like Google Chrome, the carousel is also where you’ll find the Earth view which directly integrates the beautiful 3D experience from Google Earth into the new maps.

Check out the Google Maps Blog below for more details, and if you are already on board, click the maps preview link to signup for an invite.

[Google Maps Blog]

[Signup page]

May 16, 2013
Revamped Google Maps Show up on Signup Page, Ahead of Google I/O

Just before the Google I/O event the sign-up page for “the new Google Maps” briefly went live showing off atleast one of the things Google has planned for the mega yearly event. Droid-Life managed to grab some screenshots, indicating that the company is working on a smarter Google Maps, which will show the cartography based on the information you are looking for. Users will use a “smarter search box” to highlight just the “things that matter most”.

Ground Transportation, Flights and even Google Earth has been integrated directly into the main Google Maps, making for a more seamless approach towards the mapping use.

May 15, 2013
Report : Apple Hiring ‘Ground Truth’ Managers To Improve Maps
If job listings are any indication, Apple remains committed to improving its iOS Maps app.

Apple’s woes regarding its Maps mobile app have been well documented, with the company taking a lot of flak from a lot of (lost) people, especially in the weeks following the app’s launch in September last year.

In the clearest sign yet that the Cupertino-based company is set on making the app something you’ll want to actually tap on and open. As the iDownload Blog spotted, Apple has posted job ads on its site for “Maps ground truth managers” at seven locations around the world.

Here’s the job description for the U.S.-based “ground truth manager”:
The Maps team is searching for a manager for the team responsible for regional map quality and ground truth in the U.S. Each of our regional teams is responsible for the quality of our maps in their region. This team’s responsibilities include:
- Testing new releases of map code and data around the U.S.
- Collecting ground truth data to allow for analysis of the impact of potential map code or data changes relative to known truth.
- Utilizing local expertise to provide feedback about U.S.-specific mapping details.
- Evaluating competing products in-region relative to our maps.
As the manager of this team, you will be expected to drive all of this team’s work, determine where and how to allocate resources and clearly communicate test results and other feedback to teams in Cupertino. The U.S. regional team is also responsible for driving communication between engineering teams in Cupertino and our other regional teams as well as evaluating new regional testing initiatives in close coordination with the rest of the Maps quality team before those initiatives are rolled out to the other regional teams.
The job listings not only reflect Apple Maps’ early problems, but also underscore how right Google’s Eric Schmidt was last year when he said that Apple is learning that “maps are really hard.”

Google has been working on maps for years, and relies heavily today on “feet on the ground” products like Google Street View and Map Maker to improve its mapping accuracy. To give you an idea of how far ahead Google is, consider that those two products launched in 2007 and 2008, respectively. And 5-6 years is a long time in internet/tech development.

We’re sure iOS 7 will feature “magical” and “revolutionary” new features in their Maps app.

[Search Engine Land, iDownload Blog]
March 29, 2013
Google Maps For iOS Updated To Version 1.1

Google has released its first update to Google Maps for iOS, bringing some features over from Android and the web.

Version 1.1, available on the App Store on Tuesday, now allows users to search for addresses based on their Google Contacts if they choose to log into their Google accounts. Additionally, the app now allows users to search for general categories like “restaurants,” “bars,” “gas stations,” and so on. Non-US users will also rejoice at the ability to choose between kilometers and miles for the app’s distance estimates.

Users can now sync up previously-searched locations based on contact information, so if you have an address saved under Mom, searching by name will point you to the place on the map.

Google asks customers to note that some of these features “may not be available in all countries.”

Google Maps is a free download from the App Store.

[toggle_box title=”Change Log” width=”Width of toggle box”]

Full change log for Google Maps version 1.1:

– Search your Google Contacts; sign in to have your saved addresses show up when you search for friends and family by name.
– Quickly search for local places by selecting popular categories such as restaurants, bars, cafes, gas stations, etc.
– Choose between Kilometers or Miles for your preferred distance units.
– Note that some features may not be available in all countries.

[/toggle_box]

March 6, 2013
Vector based Google Maps App for iOS 6 leaks out in blurry images

If you are as upset as the rest of the world using an iDevice on iOS 6, Google just might come to your rescue with a Google Maps app for iOS 6. San Francisco-based software developer Ben Guild has posted some details about Google’s upcoming maps app, including some super low res blurry a$$ images if we have seen any. Guild says the app will be “ vector-based,” will feature “two-finger rotation for any angle” and will be formatted for the iPhone 5?s four-inch display.

Looks like iPhone 5 users, along with other iOS 6 users will be happy after all, now that they can navigate to their favorite Starbucks. Oh wait, we still don’t have those in India!

[Source]

October 15, 2012
Apple Starts Rolling Out Fixes For Maps On iOS 6

Credit : AppleInsider

Apple is trying to fix the problems that are dogging the new Apple Maps app by rolling out fixes. Apple launched its iPhone 5 on Sept. 12, which packed the latest iOS 6. Google Maps have been a standard feature on the iPhone since it debuted in 2007. However, Apple decided to discontinue Google Maps and introduce its own mapping service in the iOS 6.

Since the launch of iOS 6, users have reported problems with the new maps app, which lacks detailing and omits public transit directions. Moreover, Apple’s highly-touted 3D flyover feature has also received criticism as the feature displayed comically distorted images that look like major landmarks, and some structures even appeared to have been destroyed.

Several reports suggest that Apple’s quickly correcting some of its botched 3D Flyover views including the now-famous invisible Statue of Liberty. MacRumors says that imagery improvements have been reported in Honolulu, Hawaii; San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles; New York City and London. Additional 3D buildings in vector mode are also popping up. The Apple rumors website also states that users who don’t see the immediate changes will see them in the near future as “aggressive caching” is holding the roll out from hitting everyone.

Apple is reportedly prepping a program that will train retail staff employees to help report errors in cities where Apple Stores are located.

October 7, 2012
Google Maps Street View Web App Launching Tomorrow, Will Work On iPhone, iPad

Google will add its popular Street View feature to the Google Maps web app, accessible on iOS devices, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The newspaper said the feature will be rolled out on Thursday, and tech correspondent Walt Mossberg has already tested the new version of the browser-based service.

Google has been apparently working on adding this integration to the HTML5-based app since the launch of iOS 6, and the feature will be compatible on the iPhone and iPad through Mobile Safari. The addition is a precursor to what most pundits believe is a push to add a dedicated Google Maps app to iOS, like Google just did with YouTube.

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt said in September that no standalone mapping app has been submitted to Apple’s App Store, and declined to elaborate on the company’s future plans regarding and iOS version of Google Maps. Such an app is believed to be in the works, however, as Google wants to keep a strong presence on Apple’s mobile platform, evidenced in the recent introduction of a standalone YouTube app.

October 4, 2012
Google Maps adds walking directions for 44 African nations

Google has just announced an update for its popular Maps service, extending support for walking directions to 44 African countries. Following the mandatory safety warnings that come with the beta tag (routes may be missing pedestrian crossings etc.), Google is encouraging residents to try out the service, available today on both web and mobile. A separate update will no doubt be appreciated by cyclists in Europe and Australia.

As the African continent develops, there should be no shortage of users for the mobile version of the service. Telecoms & Media reported last year that Africa is now the second most connected region in the world in terms of its mobile subscription count. There are currently more than 500 million mobile users on the continent, and by 2015, there are expected to be 265 million mobile broadband subscriptions in Africa, a significant increase from the current estimate of 12 million.

Support for cycling directions has also been improved. Previously only available in the US and Canada, the service has now been extended to both Australia and Europe, just in time for the yearly post-Tour de France cycling enthusiasm. Routes devised for biking are designed to make use of dedicated bike lanes and avoid significant hills whenever possible.

July 13, 2012