Google Maps - Review & Install Links

Google Maps is one of the most popular map apps (or rather services) in the world. Covering most of the Earth’s surface, this app lets you find your way or points of interest in most countries of the world.

Features Review

Google Gets You Mapped

When you download Google Maps, you can use it anonymously or authorize with your Google account to get more personalized experience. If you authorize, it loads all your POIs ever saved and your most frequent places. If you wish, you can cache the map of your vicinity to save data transferring.

To find the object on the map, just enter its name or its fragment. Your current location is defined automatically with location services on.

To build the optimal route from point A to point B, you just need to define your starting point and your destination, and then specify whether you’re going by car, by public transport, or just walking. The navigator mode can lead you the way up to your destination, reminding of every turn with voice instructions; if you’re walking by foot, you better have your headphones on.

There are different map types in Google Maps: schematic map view, satellite view, landscape, or Street View in 360° photo. It features layers showing transport, traffic jams and bicycle tracks. You can also select what objects to display, or just enter type name like “restaurant”, gas station“, “museum” and so on, and the app will show you all the objects suiting your request.

Anything Imperfect?

Though Google product surpasses the built-in Maps in most ways, this Google Maps review would be incomplete without pointing out some drawbacks. They may seem minor unless you have got used to them.

First, there’s no Google Maps app for Apple Watch. It’s even more disappointing if you remember that in 2016 you could download Google Maps for watchOS, and then Google decided that the watch doesn’t deliver the right experience. Second, Siri is not officially integrated with Google Maps (and there’s a reason, as Apple offers its own Maps app). You can, of course, overcome it by fiddling with Shortcuts a bit, but only if you’re inclined.

Pros

◆ Probably the best maps service for today;

◆ Routing in real time;

◆ Integration with Street View with no extra apps;

◆ Incomplete or misspelled requests handled properly.

Cons

◆ Apple Watch support cancelled;

◆ No Siri integration without shortcuts;

◆ Public transport routes lack precision.