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

In addition to the new offline features, Google Maps has added more international ride-service options to compare rates in a number of countries.

Chat with SearchBot

google-maps1-ss-1920

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 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.

Google maps save 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.


Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land. Staff authors are listed here.


About the author

Amy Gesenhues
Contributor
Amy Gesenhues was a senior editor for Third Door Media, covering the latest news and updates for Search Engine Land, MarTech and MarTech Today. From 2009 to 2012, she was an award-winning syndicated columnist for a number of daily newspapers from New York to Texas. With more than ten years of marketing management experience, she has contributed to a variety of traditional and online publications, including MarketingProfs, SoftwareCEO, and Sales and Marketing Management Magazine. Read more of Amy's articles.

Get the must-read newsletter for search marketers.