Google Maps adds “Wi-fi only” feature & ability to save areas to SD card

Google Maps added two new offline features yesterday, and bulked up the number of international ride-service rate comparison options in a number of countries.

According the announcement, Android users with spotty service – or users who may want to save on data – can turn on the new “Wi-fi only” feature in their Google Maps settings to use the app when they’re offline.

Google Maps also added the ability to save an area to an external SD card on Android devices so that any saved maps do not have to take up internal storage space.

[blockquote cite = “Google Maps Blog”]To ensure that Google Maps users with any storage capacity can download and use offline areas when they need them most, we’ve added the ability to download your offline areas to an external SD card (if your device supports them) on Google Maps for Android. Now you’ll never have to choose between snapping more food photos or the ability to navigate offline.[/blockquote]

Android users will be offered the option to save the a map to their phone or SD Card when they select to download an area.

In addition to the two new offline features, Google Maps has also upped the number of international ride-service listings to compare rates in a number of countries.

Along with Uber, Google Maps is now listing GO-JEK and Grab rides in Indonesia. Grab rates have also been added in cities throughout Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Google says these updates are now on Android devices and will be rolling out on iOS.

In Ireland, Poland, Italy, Austria, Russia, and Israel, Android and iOS users both will have access to Gett, Hailo and MyTaxi rate comparisons.