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LiDAR strips landscapes down to their bare glory
LiDAR is having a moment right now helping self-driving cars and robots not hit things, but don't forget about what else it can do. In a study called The Bare Earth, scientists from the Washington Geological Survey used it to image the ground right down to dirt and rocks. Stripped of trees and other distractions, the images provide not only valuable geological survey data, but stunning, otherworldly views of our planet.
Steve Dent12.04.2017
Google Maps' new look adapts to how you travel
Google Maps may be a cornerstone of navigation for many people, but its visual presentation can occasionally leave something to be desired. Why would you care about gas stations when you're taking the subway? To that end, Google is giving Maps a fresh look that adapts to your travel methods and what you're looking for. If you're taking public transportation, it'll highlight stops and route lines; if you're exploring the area, it'll focus more on points of interest. Each location type will have distinct colors and icons, too, so it should be easier to find a restaurant or movie theater if you're new to the area.
Jon Fingas11.15.2017
Create and share Google Maps lists on the web from your desktop
This past February, Google made it possible to create lists of your favorite local spots in the Maps mobile app. A little later, the company added a sharing feature so you could send your lists to friends and family from your phone. Now Google is bringing the experience to your computer, as well.
Rob LeFebvre11.06.2017
Target's app will soon guide you to the item you're looking for
While Target has to keep up with Amazon to compete in a tough retail market, it may have just found something its competitor cannot do. The company is rolling out its previously tested Bluetooth-powered Beacons to give its customers a real-time map of their current store via the Target app. Now you can find your way to anything you need at Target using your smartphone just like you do when you're driving and using Google or Apple Maps. The system will go live in about half of Target's stores for the holidays.
Rob LeFebvre09.20.2017
Now all 'Overwatch' players can visit Junkertown
At Gamescom last month, Blizzard teased fans of its hero shooter Overwatch with a new map: Junkertown. The escort map across the post-nuclear Australian wasteland was opened up to PC test realm players a week later, but now it's live on all platforms for all players.
David Lumb09.19.2017
Google sources short video clips to go inside Google Maps
Beyond satellite imagery and Street View cars, Google has used Local Guides to add a personal touch to its Maps. Until recently the group of users updated information, uploaded still images and submitted reviews, but a recent email noted that they can also upload video clips (at least from an Android device). According to TechCrunch, the feature has been live for a couple of weeks, allowing Guides to record 10-second video clips from within the Google Maps app, or upload a 30-second video from their camera roll.
Richard Lawler09.15.2017
Google's new Street View cameras help AI map the real world
Google's Street View cameras haven't changed significantly in 8 years, and that's a problem when the technology world most certainly has. How is the company supposed to fulfill its AI ambitions with 2009-era hardware? Thankfully, it won't have to. Google has revealed to Wired that it's implementing a brand new camera design that should not only produce higher quality Street View imagery, but will prove crucial to Google's use of AI to index real-world locations.
Jon Fingas09.05.2017
Google Maps Q&A feature taps into local expertise
While it's still just a beta release, the latest version of Google Maps (9.59.0, available as an APK installation) has some new features worth looking at. Key among those is a "questions & answers" section that lets you pose a query about a restaurant or attraction like the Eiffel Tower. In response, you can "get advice from the owner & broader community," according to Google, including from Local Guides or other experts.
Steve Dent08.09.2017
A Google search is all you need to schedule a haircut
Reserve with Google is going wide. What started as a test run last December, opened to the rest of the country in March and now, in addition to workout classes, you can book a spa day and a haircut too. "This feature is made possible through partnerships with the top scheduling providers you might already use, including Genbook, SalonRunner, Rosy, Yocale and WellnessLiving," Google writes.
Timothy J. Seppala07.13.2017
Google Maps crowdsources info for wheelchair-accessible places
It's important to know whether a restaurant or other building is accessible if you use a wheelchair. While Google already added this information to places in its Maps app a while ago, the company has just announced that it will be crowdsourcing a larger set of accessibility options to help those with wheelchairs know if places are accessible or not. Google claims it has added this valuable information to almost seven million places around the world.
Rob LeFebvre07.06.2017
Google’s 'Voyager' bear cam showcase is the best reality TV
Google will expose a lot more folks to Alaska's famous Katmai National Park "bear cams" thanks to an arrangent with the nature organization Explore.org. Google Earth has created a Story on its new Voyager platform that describes the region and lets you watch all five views. Those include the underwater "snorkel" and waterfall cams that show the talented bears plucking salmon out of Brooks River or catching them in mid-jump.
Steve Dent07.06.2017
Waze arrives on Android Auto after a year-long wait
Rocking Android Auto and wondering why Google still hasn't added its Waze traffic-and-maps app to the platform yet? Well, we don't have an explanation, but we do have news that after Google talked about it at last year's I/O developer conference, the integration has finally happened, albeit in limited fashion. And so long as you aren't driving an Audi or Mercedes Benz with Android Auto (Google says they aren't compatible yet), if you signed up for the beta back in April, you can start testing. As Android Police notes, your phone running the standalone Android Auto app won't be able to take advantage of this -- it's only for compatible stereo head units.
Timothy J. Seppala06.07.2017
Fight on the moon in new ‘Overwatch’ Lunar Base map
Last week, Overwatch celebrated its one-year anniversary by dropping scores of new event-themed character skins and extras to the game. But it also added three new maps for the game's small-team and 1v1 Arena modes. It seems the title's team wasn't done expanding its playable zones: After releasing some mysterious lore about the Overwatch universe's Horizon Lunar Base days ago, the game has launched it as a full map on the PC's test realm.
David Lumb05.31.2017
Google Maps uses Street View to keep you on the right path
Google Maps for Android got a slight remake this week, with a couple handy new features on board. It still looks and functions basically the same as the Google Maps you know and potentially love, but Google has smartly integrated some Street View features directly into the navigation view. When you ask the app for directions, you can swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see the all the turn-by-turn steps as before. But now each step is accompanied by a Street View image of that exact turn.
Nathan Ingraham05.12.2017
Windows 10's upgraded mapping helps you plan elaborate routes
You likely know that Microsoft packed a lot of improvements into the Windows 10 Creators Update, but there are still a few surprises left... particularly if you use Windows' built-in navigation app to get from A to B. Microsoft has detailed Creators' numerous Maps upgrades, many of which revolve around planning trickier routes. For one, you can create multi-stop routes. That's nothing new if you use Google Maps, but it's a big deal any time you use Microsoft's default tools.
Jon Fingas05.07.2017
'Gears 4' updated with new maps, support for multiple GPUs
It's taken a while since Gears of War 4's October debut, but Microsoft has finally added an often-requested feature for PC gamers: SLI support. That way they can take advantage of multiple GPUs to render the game at its maximum quality, instead of leaving silicon sitting unused. There's also a new map in the update called Dawn, and the return of a Gears of War 2 favorite: Security. Of course, competitors can take each other on via PC or Xbox and with the new multiple GPU support (make sure you have the latest drivers from AMD or NVIDIA) there's just one more reason to try it on the PC side. The update should roll out May 2nd.
Richard Lawler05.01.2017
Google automatically translates local reviews when you travel
We all use user-generated reviews to figure out what points of interest are worth checking out. If you're traveling in a country where you don't speak the language, however, the reviews you rely on are usually in the local tongue. Google has a new feature to help you out. The company will now automatically translate reviews into your native language without any effort on your part.
Rob LeFebvre04.24.2017
A Google search is all you need to book a fitness class
When Reserve with Google starting helping users book fitness classes last year, the scheduling tool was only available in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City. Today, the company announced that the handy feature is now available all over the US. That means that you'll be able to book and pay for a yoga or exercise session in Google Maps, Google Search or directly through the Reserve with Google website.
Billy Steele03.30.2017
Google Maps' latest trick is remembering where you parked
Google Now kept track of parking locations before, but it wasn't with any degree of accuracy. The latest version of the Android Google Maps app circumvents how inaccurate the feature was by having you mark a parking spot for yourself. That's a pretty stark comparison to the dark magic (read: GPS and other data) that Now used prior.
Timothy J. Seppala03.21.2017
Uber puts mapping cars on five continents
Uber just showed how committed it is to mapping the planet. The ridesharing outfit has started rolling out map cars in Singapore, putting the vehicles on five major continents (sorry, Antarctica, you'll have to wait). As in other cases, the cartographic cars are really driver rides with mapping tech on top to collect data based on real trips. Privacy shouldn't be an issue, Uber says -- they won't keep imagery from the end points of your trip, and what data they do collect won't be made public.
Jon Fingas02.13.2017