DISCLAIMER: This article is purely hopes and speculation, none of this has actually happened.
Google Maps is a great product. It has transformed the way people browse maps and get directions. What are some useful items that could really improve the Google Map service? Here are a few things.
- Option direction mapping. ie: side streets, freeways only, shortest route, fastest route
- real time traffic reports for non-mobile users
- account settings to set a “Home” location
- optional “Home” quick-to settings for directions
Option Direction Mapping
This function would be simple. Let Google Maps give you directions going to a place that only uses streets to get to there, or maybe the fastest route to the freeways and use freeways only to get there, maybe there is a faster way, but it’s a bit longer distance wise, lastly, maybe there’s a shorter way but it takes a bit longer to drive. These options for users would enhance the Google Maps experience a lot.
Real-Time Traffic Reporting
This already exists for Google Maps Mobile. Why doesn’t it exist for Google Maps regular? I would love to be able to check the traffic reports real-time from home before I leave for work or maybe if a friend is coming to my house and they want to know the traffic status. This function should not be restricted to Google Maps Mobile.
Account Settings -> Home
This setting would allow for users to set a “Home” location. This might be Los Angeles, CA or New York, NY. With these “Home” settings, the Google Account and specifically Google Maps, it could easily and more quickly determine a route — possibly even cache it — to where you’re going to or coming from.
Optional Quick-to Home
A quick button that would come from the setting in your account for “Home” and it would allow you to set that default home address and then just type in a To address, already knowing your home address. This would save time and resources for both Google and the user. And again, enhancing the Google Maps experience.
These are just a few things I’ve come up with and been thinking about. Feel free to comment on them and tell me what you about them. As always, this blog is really just a place for Google news, Google thoughts, and Google rumors. This is Google Inside.
