Google Maps Evolves Over Time

Illustration (HenryPerks / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Several years ago before the creation of Google Maps, finding a location by address was not an easy matter, especially if the location was in a small narrow alley.

Now, the community is facilitated by the emergence of online maps, which are not only Google Maps as an option, but the technology giant's navigation service has always been the first choice of everything.

The idea of forming Google Maps

Google Maps was not purely made by Google, because in 2004, two brothers Lars and Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen from Denmark, who owned the company Where 2 Technologies, told Google about an idea for a map that was not static but could be used to find locations.

The good news, Google is interested in the idea. So they bought a company fronted by the two Danish brothers. Then, Google also bought a company called Keyhole. Both of them are also developing Earth visualization software which will later become Google Earth.

Subsequently, a team of 50 people was formed to work on Google Maps. Briefly, on February 8, 2005, Google Maps was first released in the United States (US), and two months later in the UK.

In fact, Google has lost its start to the search engine giant Yahoo regarding online maps. Yahoo Maps has been released since 2002. But on the other hand, Google Maps quickly overtook and ended up much more popular than Yahoo Maps.

Since its launch, Google Maps has grown and continues to add features to show driving directions or to public transportation. Google's commitment to digital map services became clear when they pioneered Google Earth.

Then Street View became a controversial but proving popular addition to Google Maps. The service was first released in 2006 and recorded several US cities. Then in 2008 it was launched in Europe, Japan and Australia.

Seeing smart phones then develop, Google did not remain silent, the company immediately embed it and released it in 2007 for smartphones. iPhone was the first to successfully try out Google Maps.

Google Maps (Google)

Latest Google Maps Features

Since trying out smartphones, Google Maps has continued to add various advanced features that can make it easier for its users, even though it has been criticized several times for its inaccurate navigation.

The known Google Maps features include traffic traffic updates, satellite navigation, and the location of various points of interest including restaurants.

However, there are some interesting features that really help everyday users, namely:

1. Driving Mode feature

Where this feature can display locations that users have visited and record the trip in the owner's Google account.

From the stored data, Maps will predict the next location the user will go to by showing the best route and traffic conditions, road block info, and the estimated time of arrival of the user at that location.

Users can also use audio to make it easier to use Google Maps while driving. Even though in the past, when using this application suddenly a phone came in. Maps that were being used would automatically turn off.

Currently, Google has undergone a significant update in terms of its audio. Even if there is an incoming call, Google Maps or even listening to music, audio navigation will still be on.

In addition, Google Maps can not only be used for car drivers, but in early 2018, Google launched another new feature on Google Maps, namely Motorcycle Mode or routes for motorbike users.

How to use it is also easy because just open the Maps application as usual, then click the directions or direction and specify the desired destination

2. Transit feature

Furthermore, in 2016 Google officially released a transit feature for Maps. This feature will indirectly provide information regarding public transportation routes and schedules. This feature will also make it easier for users to plan trips.

3. Online Transportation Order feature

Because along with the development of online transportation trends, Google has finally buried the Online Transportation message feature. Just use Google Maps by having the location and destination, the application will provide a choice of prices and online transportation services that you want to use.

4. Restaurant Order feature

Another powerful Google Maps feature is ordering restaurants. When looking for a restaurant location, this feature will also help users to reserve seats at the restaurant.

5. COVID-19 Map Features

As the COVID-19 pandemic hits the world, Google Maps has become very useful. When users open the application, they will be shown a feature that displays the number of COVID-19 cases worldwide.

Users can also view the seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people for the map area viewed, and users can also see labels that indicate whether cases are rising or falling.

Now rolling out globally -> Community Feed: A new way to discover what's happening with Google Maps "We're making it easier to find updates & recommendations from trusted local sources with a new community feed in the Explore tab of Google Maps." https://t.co/Z1Z5DSkxU3 pic.twitter.com/fYiHOReKKv

- Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) December 1, 2020

6. Spot Review feature

Google recently added another useful feature to Maps, to make it easier for users to find something about where to visit.

Because more than 20 million people contribute to recommend their favorite places. Not only that, they also play a role in updates to business services, reviews, ratings, photos, updated addresses, and more, which Google calls community feeds.

The new place reviews feature is also a way for businesses to get more of their posts and information seen by users in Maps.

For example, whether their business applies limited time or has opened outdoor seating. Google says this update has started rolling out globally to Android and iOS users.

Strange Moments Caught on Google Maps Camera

1. The appearance of the hearse

After having an uproar on social media in September 2019, there was a man who was reminiscing about his past by opening Google Maps to see where he used to live around Wellington, Florida.

However, how shocked he was when he saw something like a car that sank in the artificial lake behind his house first.

Without further ado, he immediately contacted the owner of the house where he lived and called the police. Sure enough, when the evacuation was carried out, it turned out that in the car there were the bones of someone's body. The body was identified as William Moldt, who was missing since November 8, 1997.

2. Sandy Mysterious Island

It was first discovered by a group of researchers from Australia. They are conducting research on tectonic plates in the east of the Australian continent, via Google Maps, and found this Sandy Island.

But when actually visited, the island did not exist at all, only a vast ocean. In fact, the depth of the seabed at that location is almost 1.5 km.

Allegedly, Sandy Island is actually part of an underwater volcano that escaped when it erupted. Due to its low density, it floats on the surface of the sea and continues to move along the current.

3. Human Lips

At the coordinates of 12 ° 22'13,32 ″ N, 23 ° 19'20,18 ″ E, the user can see the area like a human's beautiful red lips.

But in reality, it is a hill formation that can be found in Gharb, Darfur, Sudan. If users don't see it in detail, then not a few think that these lips might swallow the surrounding area and everything in it, so that many outsiders find this appearance creepy.

4. Creepy Figures

A user using Google Maps to view the area in Nancy, France found a creepy figure in an apartment window. Many thought it was a statue, but it looked like a corpse with messy hair and white, big eyes.

Some say it's just a tiki statue but why does Google need to blur that area on Maps? When viewed in more detail, this figure is more like the incarnation of the Giant Jenglot (Indonesian version) with long, flowing hair accompanied by sharp fangs and a creepy wrinkled face.

Giant Rabbit Doll (Google Earth)

5. Giant Stuffed Rabbit

This is one of the most unique and bizarre moments recorded on Google Maps, what a surprise when a giant rabbit doll was found on the 5,000-foot-tall Mount Colleto Fava in the Piedmont region of northern Italy.

The Google Maps capture shows a 200-foot rabbit doll. If the user explores the area, they may panic with the doll's large size and scary face.

But in fact, this rabbit doll is an art installation that Gelitin, a Viennese art collective, knitted. The purpose of the outdoor sculpture is to let tourists play by climbing and sleeping on it.