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Google has announced that it will implement additional features designed to help travelers stay up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 cases and public transportation passenger occupancy.
In the updated COVID layer of Google Maps on Android and iOS, travelers will be able to see all cases detected in an area, along with links to COVID-19 resources from local authorities.
“This is especially helpful if you’re out of town and need to catch up on local guidelines, test sites, and restrictions in another city,” wrote Google Maps VP of Product Dane Glasgow in a blog post.
The updated version of the COVID layer of Google Maps will also include details on passenger capacity in real time so that travelers traveling by bus, train or subway know if there is room to maintain physical distance from others while traveling.
According to Glasgow, the feature, which will be available globally on Android and iOS, is based on real-time feedback from Google Map users.
This feature seeks to take advantage of transit features introduced in June that informed travelers about whether their trip would be affected by any COVID-19 restrictions, such as the requirement to wear a mask on public transportation, as well as how busy a station would be. in a certain time.
See also: Google Maps turns 15: a look back at where it all began
“Creating a map is difficult; what’s even more difficult is keeping it continually updated … but that’s also what makes a map useful these days and what our users expect. We are on a never-ending quest to understand and organize endless information in the physical world, as it happens, “said Glasgow.
“This is an exciting and incredibly challenging feat in normal times. Add to that the volume and scale of change we’ve seen during COVID, and there has never been a more exciting, and important, time for us to focus on this mapping challenge. Since the onset of the pandemic, we have added nearly 250 new features and enhancements to Google Maps to help users adjust to this new normal. “
Additionally, Google will implement a feature for users to view the live status of takeout and delivery orders in the US, Canada, Germany, Australia, Brazil, and India when the service is booked and ordered via Google Maps. It will detail wait times, shipping rates, and the ability to reorder favorites.
Glasgow also said there were plans to extend this to allow diners to see the status of reservations in 70 countries “when it is safe to go to restaurants.”
Google also announced that it has begun rolling out a preview of the Google Assistant driving mode in Maps for US-based Android users. The mode will initially only be available in English and will allow users to use voice to send and receive calls and text messages, check new messages through messaging applications, have text messages read, receive alerts when there is an incoming call, and have the option to answer or reject with voice. Drivers will also be able to use their voice to request media playback, including YouTube Music, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
