Regardless of whether you’re going home this Christmas or whether you’re planning an exotic getaway, the Google Maps app shouldn’t be missing from your iPhone or Android smartphone. The app is now even more useful than ever, as Google added various handy features over the past few months.
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The short CNET video below explains three simple yet handy Google Maps tricks that might help you navigate your next holiday destination.
Google’s offline mode for Google Maps is finally available on both iPhone and Android. That means you can simply save desired maps at home and enjoy full Google Maps functionality offline when visiting a tourist destination abroad – the feature should help you save money on roaming charges that come with Google Maps online functionality.
To take advantage of the feature, just search for a place inside the application. Then tap on the name of the destination when it pops up and press the three-dot icon to save it for offline use. Turn off cellular data when going out, and use Google Maps offline in that region. You can save maps for entire cities, counties, and even countries, depending on their size.
One other feature you need to be aware of when using Google Maps is how to share your location with friends quickly. To do that, press the geo-locate icon. Then press and hold on that location to drop a pin on the map. Swipe up on the display to bring up a secondary menu and tap on Share to select a location sharing option.
Finally, because you might be searching for plenty of things while traveling to a new destination, you should know you can search by voice rather than typing. Simply tap the microphone icon in the search bar and speak up. Google Maps will return appropriate results based on your query.
CNET’s video below offers plenty of visuals for these easy-to-remember Google Maps tricks.
