If a map for a specific area has been downloaded, Google will automatically kick info offline mode when a user is in an area without service.
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Google is aiming to improve that with a new update to Google Maps. This feature was first previewed back at Google I/O, and it is just now beginning to roll out to users. As well as searching for towns, cities, and streets, you can also search for shops, businesses and restaurants, and view useful information such as opening hours and contact details.
If you travel all the time for work, or are going on a long vacation, you can even download an enormous area, like all of Europe, if you have the space to store the data on your phone. Until, of course, you find yourself in a situation with poor or no network connection and in desperate need of the app. Starting today, however, Google is launching a major revamp of its offline Maps feature, adding support not only for search, but for turn-by-turn driving directions as well. In default that Google Maps app will update itself every 15 days.
Once the information has been installed, the app is created to switch “seamlessly” between offline and online modes unless forced to stay off the net.
But despite all these minor cons, this is a massive update that fixes one of the most often heard comments about Google Maps.
“We’ve been working on all of this stuff for two to three years”, product manager Amanda Bishop told the BBC.
“Users now don’t have to do all that screenshot jujitsu before they leave [in case they lose access], and there’s much faster load times for search and driving directions”. You could do this before, but it didn’t allow for turn-by-turn guidance.
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Once the map of an area has been saved to a device, Google Maps will function exactly the same whether it’s online or off, with difference in features or abilities.
