Skip to main content

8 tips to navigate and explore safely with Google Maps

With the state of the pandemic varying around the world, keeping up with local restrictions, navigating day-to-day life and easing back into activities we enjoy can feel confusing and unfamiliar. 

To help with that, we’ve pulled together Google Maps tips — including new features and product updates — to help you safely plan your next outing, navigate how and when to get things done, and relive past adventures or plan for future ones when the time is right:

  1. Plan ahead if you’re taking public transit: Before heading out, check to see how crowded your bus, train, or subway car is likely to be — so you’ll know if you’re likely to grab a seat or if you should wait for another train. You’ll be able to see transit crowdedness predictions for over 10,000 transit agencies in 100 countries around the world.
  2. Find the latest information about COVID-19:Whether you’re staying close to home or taking a trip, use the COVID layer to see how cases are trending in an area. You can also access quick links to trusted local resources so you’ll know at a glance if there are specific guidelines or restrictions you need to follow.
  3. Avoid crowds with live busyness information: Before you go, search for your destination on Google Maps, then scroll down on the Business Profile to see how busy a place typically is or how busy it is right now. With busyness information, you’ll know instantly you’re about to face a long line or a big crowd and can adjust your plans accordingly. 
  4. Reserve your spot:Many places are now appointment only. You can reserve your spot ahead of time right from Google Maps with participating businesses. Simply search for the business, check upcoming availability, and book! If you need to change something, manage upcoming reservations and bookings within the Saved tab of the Google Maps app.
  5. Tap and go with contactless payments: Pay for things likestreet parking or public transit right from Google Maps without having to pull out your wallet or touch a parking meter. For street parking, type in your meter number, hit pay and refill while you’re out and about. For public transportation, a payment option will pop up once you arrive at any public transit, then tap your phone to pay. 
  6. Know before you go:Check out local places’ Business Profiles on Google Maps to see information like operating hours, current COVID-19 safety precautions, trending dishes and reviews. 
  7. Leave a review: Support local businesses you love and leave a review on Google! Now you can tap on prompts to quickly share helpful information for any restaurant in the U.S. — like the average price range or whether you dined in or ordered takeout. 
  8. Reminisce on past trips: Figure out where you want to go next by taking a look at where you’ve been with the Trips tab. Available to all Android users, you can now use the Trips tab to transport yourself back in time to that one dinner in Italy (you know the one) or that epic camping weekend in Big Sur. Become everyone’s go-to travel guide and export these places to a list to share.

by Wanda Plore via The Keyword

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

certain keys on my keyboard dont work when "cold"

Hi guys, i have a Lenovo Y520-15IKBN (80WK) and certain keys on the keyboard don't work (e,g,h,8,9,Fn...) but only when the weather is cold. for example in the winter it used to work after certain amount of time when i first boot the laptop and stops working when i stop using it for a while, but now that the weather is hot it works just fine except for the first couple of minutes or when its colder. of course i do realise that it has nothing to do with the outside weather but with the temperature of the computer itself. can someone explain to me why this is happening and how it should be fixed as i cannot take it to the tech service until july even though it's still under warranty because i need it for school. ps: an external keyboard works fine. Submitted April 29, 2018 at 03:35PM by AMmej https://ift.tt/2KiQg05

Old PC with a Foxconn n15235 motherboard needs drivers! Help!!

So my Pc corrupted and I had to fresh install windows on it, but now its missing 3 drivers and one of them is for the Ethernet controller! I've tried searching everywhere for the windows 7 drivers but all I seem to find are some dodgey programs saying they will install it for me. Problem is without the ethernet driver I can't bloody connect to the internet. I've been using a USB to try get some drivers on there, but they just end up being useless programmes . I'm also a bit of a noob at these things, I don't understand where to find the names of things in my PC, I've opened it up but I don't understand whats significant and what isnt. If someone has the drivers and can teach me how to install them I'd be very appreciative! Submitted April 29, 2018 at 02:47PM by darrilsteady https://ift.tt/2r76xMZ