Google Maps tells you when’s the best time to leave for your destination

Google Maps isn’t just going to alert you about traffic in your area. This time, a new update coming to Android will let you know when the best time to leave for your destination will be. A bar graph shows up when you input directions and it shows you everything from the relative time it’ll take you to get to your destination. It’ll show you estimates of how long it’ll have taken a half hour earlier and how long it’ll take in the next few hours. The bar graph will either be highlighted in green, yellow, or red to show traffic conditions. As mentioned, the feature is coming to Android but no word yet when it’ll hit iOS devices.

Source: The Verge

Google brings ‘Ms. Pac-Man’ to Maps for April Fools’ Day

We’ve already posted this on Instagram but just in time for April Fools’ Day, Google Maps is bringing Pac-Man back through Ms. Pac-Man. Back in 2015, Google Maps used the original Pac-Man game. To play the game, just open Google Maps and tap on the pink button on the right. We’ve noticed on Android that it doesn’t use our current location but picks a random spot. According to The Verge, some iOS users can select the map they want to play on. If you play on the web, you can pick your level. The web version doesn’t seem to be working for all yet but perhaps they’re waiting for April 1^st to come to most parts of the world.

Google Maps promotes Kong’s Skull Island

Google has done many movie tie-ins in the past. This time around, Google Maps works with Legendary for the upcoming release of Kong: Skull Island. You can’t exactly see the island on the map as it’s just a blip on the south of the equator in the Pacific Ocean. But it does get an info page of sorts that links it as an Archeological Site and has a link to the official tie-in website that lets you explore the island and the creatures on it. You can also leave a review, if you want. Kong: Skull Island comes out in Canada on March 10.

Source: The Verge 

Google Maps on Android now allows saving of maps on a microSD card

Good news for users of Google Maps, at least on Android. You can now save maps locally on a connected microSD card. This means not having to use data roaming when discovering a new location plus the convenience of being able to reference a map on demand like when you're planning what places to visit when you're on a plane and without access to the internet. Officially called the "WiFi Only" mode, the feature is a big one for users of entry level smartphones that may have as little as 4GB of onboard storage. 

Source: Engadget