Google Maps Falls Short in Four Key Areas
Google Maps is one of the most popular navigation apps on Android devices. It's available pre-installed on almost all phones and has gained popularity due to its numerous features.
Despite being the best all-round navigation app, Google Maps still needs some improvements. According to a recent article by Android Police, the company should focus on adding four simple yet effective features that would make everyone's commute better.
The first feature is bringing real-time crowdsourced incident reports from Waze, another popular navigation app owned by Google. This would allow users to report and view incidents like crashes, objects on the road, construction, and other hazards in real-time. However, the current implementation of this feature in Google Maps feels half-hearted compared to Waze.
Another issue with Google Maps is its offline maps support. The app doesn't have a dedicated button to download an offline map for a specific location, making it difficult for users to access maps without internet connectivity. This is particularly frustrating since many navigation apps on the Google Play Store had implemented this feature better than Google Maps.
Google Maps also needs to improve its custom route planning feature. Currently, the app doesn't allow users to lock their preferred route, which can be inconvenient for those who prefer a specific route or have limited flexibility in their commute.
Lastly, the app's trip planning feature is basic compared to Waze. While Google Maps allows users to plan trips with estimated times and traffic conditions, it lacks features like analyzing traffic patterns and providing the best time frame to leave for a destination.