While Google (News - Alert) is known widely around the world for the section of its website that lets you look up anything at any time only to receive an overwhelming amount of information, it is also extremely popular due to its capability known as Google Maps. This Web mapping application is free of charge and enables users to view a variety of maps or even route a trip to a specific destination. Today, the company has stepped up its map game significantly, allowing those down under to easily navigate through airports, malls, and train stations via their device of choice.
Image via Meiko
For someone like me who can’t tell East from West or North from South or in all honesty up from down, this application sounds ideal for me. Too bad though, because right now the indoor maps feature is only readily accessible to Australians.
These koala and kangaroo lovers (stereotype, I know) can now use the app in nearly 200 places throughout the country and gain connectivity via Wi-Fi networks or mobile towers as opposed to GPS. Some of the locations include: 10 train stations situated at Flinders Street and Town Hall among others; airports throughout Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide; various IKEA stores; sports facilities such as Hisense (News - Alert) Arena, Rod Laver Arena, Etihad Stadium, ANZ Stadium; art museums the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of NSW; and the acclaimed Sydney Opera House.
While available at this time only on Android (News - Alert) devices, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel as Australian Google Maps Product Manager Nabil Naghdy revealed in the near future it would be expanding its reach into other widely populated indoor venues and will even enable business owners to upload their stores directly to Google.
"It's like having an indoor directory in the palm of your hand helping you work out where you are, what floor you're on and how to get to where you want to be," Naghdy added.
As the days pass, it seems as if the GPS space is adding more and more features to its offerings. In a report I only wrote up a couple of days ago, headlines were made when Professor Cyrus Shahabi and his PhD student Ugur Demiryurek teamed to develop a smartphone app named ClearPath that is based upon rich data that can forecast where traffic is mostly likely to take place on the road.
Powering nearly two and half years of traffic-related information from over 9,000 sensors located in L.A., accidents are also noted which can improve the quality of life for those driving in California.
To read the full report, click here.