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Journalism of Courage
Driving, be it for everyday commutes or occasional log trips, is certainly a pleasurable experience. The number of vehicles on the roads is increasing rapidly, resultantly traffic snarls, pollution, and the overall cacophony may dampen your driving experience. However, modern vehicles, be it motorbike, an SUV, or a sedan – most of them come with built-in navigation systems that ensure a smooth ride through traffic and other inconveniences.
While not all vehicles may come with an inbuilt navigation system, thanks to Google Maps, an innovation that was introduced nearly two decades ago, anyone with a smartphone can now wade through traffic with relative ease. You simply need to install a smartphone stand on your motorbike or car to take advantage of Google Maps for swift navigation.
A first-time driver or an experienced hand, here are some cool features on Google Maps that can certainly make your life easier.
Google Maps is available for download on both Android and iOS devices in their respective app stores. Ensure that you download the application from the official sources as it will allow you to explore all the new features and capabilities of the app.
One of the biggest concerns among daily commuters is losing cellular signal as this results in navigation apps coming to a grinding halt. It is advisable to download the offline maps before you start a ride. Google Maps allows users to download maps of specific cities, and these maps can be later deleted to free-up storage on the device.
Google Maps will automatically suggest the best routes depending on the vehicle and traffic conditions. Ensure that you select the appropriate symbol (bike or car) before starting your trip, as it is most likely to show the fastest available route based on the type of vehicle selected. Google Maps also suggests walking directions.
If you are cruising on a highway, the default map type will work fine. However, if you are trying to find an apartment or a specific location, always select the satellite map option to get a better view of the location.
If you are commuting in a city, enable the "show traffic on maps" option to get real-time updates about the congestion, traffic, and more. Depending on the traffic condition, the estimated time of arrival will also vary.
Voice navigation is another great feature on Google Maps, which offers voice directions to the user. This is a useful feature, especially when using headphones while traveling, and this will also minimise the distraction that a phone screen might cause during a ride. It also allows us to set the guidance volume to softer, normal, and louder tones.
Google Maps also allows users to select route options, where one can eliminate routes with toll roads, routes for motorways, and routes that require a ferry.
Google Maps can also provide information about the toll price from one location to another. While most roads in India do not collect tolls from bikers, this can be great feature for those driving their cars for longer journeys.
You can also set speed limits and enable a speedometer on Google Maps. When you exceed a certain speed, the Maps app will show a warning on the screen to reduce the speed.
You can now share information about your ongoing ride, which will include details like the route, destination, location, battery percentage of the phone, arrival, and departure time. This feature will help you stay connected with friends and family even during a ride.
