Google is gradually enabling its Immersive View feature for routes in Maps. Paris will be the only French city to benefit from this launch. The principle of “immersion” is already used in Google Maps for a 3D representation of cities with satellite images. This time, Google applies it to the preview of a route by foot, bike or car.
Showing the different stages of your route before you drive is nothing new in Maps, but this development is more sophisticated. Using a time rule, you can evaluate your trip based on different times of day (evening, middle of the night, or peak traffic times) and weather conditions. Especially when cycling and walking, this can be helpful in assessing whether the route to be traveled is likely to be congested or uncomfortable.
This additional view is rolled out to iOS in Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tokyo and Venice, in addition to Android.
In the coming months, Google will display new maps when navigating in the car. France will be one of the first 12 countries, which also includes Canada and Germany. There will be changes in the colors used, in the buildings whose 3D will be more realistic, and in the details of the instructions. The display of the position to be maintained on the road becomes more precise, especially when there are several lanes and one has to be followed specifically. Google will also expand the display of speed limits to 20 countries in Europe.
Next, this week Google will distribute more detailed information about electric car charging stations worldwide: performance, compatibility and when they were last used (if it is several days, it is because they have either been used very little… or are more likely broken). ). .
Eventually, Google will make an effort to prioritize photos in queries in Maps. Images taken from those that users post with their comments on an address. It is also used in France as well as Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.