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- Google has revamped the images in Maps to help you spot natural features in the landscape like forests and deserts.
- You can also expect more detailed street information, including crosswalks and sidewalks.
Google Maps visuals have long been informative, but also a bit lifeless – you wouldn’t know a lush forest landscape of a desert unless you switched to satellite view. However, Google is ready to fix this and improve city navigation in the process.
The internet giant is rolling out an update to Maps images that colors the terrain depending on whether it is arid, lush, icy or mountainous. The darker the shade of the green, the denser the forests and flora. For example, you will know where the greenery is along the Moroccan coast or simply where to find ice cream in Iceland.
The technique relies on computer vision (a form of AI) to scan satellite images and apply color coding based on a common pattern. It is available in the 220 countries supported by Google Maps.
City dwellers, on the other hand, receive much more help with navigation. Google plans to introduce much more detailed street information, including crosswalks, sidewalks and pedestrian islands. The shape and size of the roads should also be more precise. You should have a better idea of where it is safe to cross and whether it is a side street or a main artery.
The revamped street maps will first be available in London, New York and San Francisco over the “next few months,” with plans for expansion.
These are welcome additions, but Google also has a strong incentive to make dramatic improvements. The competition is catching up, with Apple Maps recently completing a detailed overhaul and soon adding perks like advanced cycle routes. It could help Google stand out or stay ahead of the curve for travelers who want the most accurate maps possible.
Read more: Google Maps vs. Waze vs. Apple Maps
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