I have been running a food and travel blog for quite some time now and although I am the reluctant traveler in the pair, I have slowly but steadily got around to traveling a lot. Now traveling is quite a stressful job indeed, but I have been helped quite a bit with Google. But being an ever evolving company, they have come up with a few new features on Google Maps, Translate and other apps. These changes are tailor made for the traveler and will definitely help you in your travels.
Google Translate Camera
Although Google Translate has helped millions of people with instant translates, the new camera option lends much more credence to it. It allows for an instantaneous translation on the camera itself while allowing you a much better interface. You will have to download the relevant language packet before your travel though. As you can see in the photograph, I am doing a Swedish to English translation.
Add Stops on Google Maps
Planning a road trip, the add stops on the Google Maps is perfect for you. It allows you to add multiple stops (upto 9) extra destinations thus allowing you a multi routed trip
Share Location on Google Maps
Whenever I have a late flight, Snigdha usually stays awake waiting for me to get home. The Share Location option allows me to share my location with her thus allowing her to be apprised of my location even late at night.
Events on Google Maps
In a new city and planning to go out, Google Maps tells you about the best events happening at the best locations around you this allowing you to explore the city even better.
Offline Maps
Although we have seamless internet connectivity nowadays but some places in India, specially the hills are notorious for low connectivity. This is where the maids can get a little dodgy and this is where the Offline maps comes to your rescue. Just before leaving download the area you will be driving in and voila, you will have the maps with you even in times of a network failure.
Lists on Google Maps
One of the usual requests I get from my friends when they come to Delhi is the places they should hang out. Instead of typing diem the names of the individual places, I send across the Google List which allows them to find the places at their own convenience. Here is one of my lists on visiting the various Whisky distilleries to visit in Scotland.
You can read more about Google Lists here.
Google Local Guides program
Although Google has become our savior for all the solutions, but it still doesn’t have all the answers. So it has turned to its users for full long up the information gaps. The Google Local Guides program allows users to upload photographs, videos and reviews about a place this becoming an influencer. It also allows for answering of questions that you might have about a restaurant, hotel or destination. I am myself a Level 8 Google Local Guide and you can find my profile here.
These new additions to Google Maps should definitely help you on your travails around the world.
