Google Maps is the American tech giant’s navigation software that is by far the most popular of its kind.
The American tech giant’s client boasts a deluge of functionality that continues to expand with new updates.
Google recently announced a new feature for Maps that should make navigating even more intuitive.
In a blog post, the Mountain View firm said Maps will now be able to pair transit directions with biking and ride-sharing options.
Such an upgrade should allow users to more easily navigate an entire route using Google Maps rather than having to open secondary applications.
Google said Maps will exhibit options combining cycling and ride-sharing options when they attempt to navigate to a location using the app’s travel tab.
Most notably, routes with taxis involved will show the cost of the car in addition to other helpful information such as wait time and traffic conditions.
Moreover, Google stated users will be able to choose their preferred cab provider, too.
For cyclists, the American firm declared Maps will highlight routes designed for bicycles.
Discussing the addition to Maps, Google said: “Google Maps has always helped you get from place to place, whether you’re driving, walking, biking or taking public transit. And we know that transit journeys can be complex–often involving multiple modes of transportation to help you get around town. Today, we’re making it easy to pair transit directions with biking and ride-sharing options so you can travel that first or last mile with ease.
“Say you’re taking the subway home from a friend’s house, but your apartment is a bit too far from the station to get to on foot. Catching a ride-sharing vehicle can help you travel that short distance quickly. Or, you’re headed to work at the peak of the busy back-to-school season so you need to ride your bike to the nearest bus stop to make that important 9am meeting on time.
“Enter your destination in the search box, tap on ‘Directions’ and then on the transit tab. From there, you’ll automatically see routes that feature ride-sharing and cycling options paired with transit directions. If you’re taking a ride-sharing vehicle, you’ll see helpful information about each leg of your trip: how much your ride will cost, how long the wait is, if there’s traffic on your ride, and when your bus or train departs. You can also choose your favourite ride-share provider and other available ride options like pool or economy.
“If you’re biking, then you’ll see routes tailored for cyclists along with everything you need to know about the transit portion of your journey. All of this information is automatically factored into your total travel time and ETA so you can know exactly when you’ll get to your destination.”
Google has declared the new navigation feature for Maps will be available in 30 countries across the globe – of which the UK is one.
The firm added the functionality will start rolling out “in the coming weeks” on both Android and iOS.