Google maps now also works offline

[LandSailor]

Google Maps - Navigate and search the real world … online or off

https://googleblog.blogspot.com.au/2015 ... nline.html

[-dz-]

How is this different from before?

Like you've always been able to download map sections offline (even on the ios version with an OK maps command or something.) So what has changed? Is there more features than before? Or are they just republishing a relatively unknown feature?

[LandSailor]

How is this different from before?

Like you've always been able to download map sections offline (even on the ios version with an OK maps command or something.) So what has changed? Is there more features than before? Or are they just republishing a relatively unknown feature?

Not sure dz. Haven't used this function myself. I'm hoping it works with the satellite maps.

[icefest]

How is this different from before?

Whereas before you could simply view an area of the map offline, now you can get turn-by-turn driving directions, search for specific destinations, and find useful information about places, like hours of operation, contact information or ratings.

I use another map anyway as I find I really like having my current GPS based speed visible on my phone (and it beeps at me when I go over the speed limit).

[keithy]

How is this different from before?

Like you've always been able to download map sections offline (even on the ios version with an OK maps command or something.) So what has changed? Is there more features than before? Or are they just republishing a relatively unknown feature?

With the new offline mode, you are able to download maps and info so when you are offline, you can still search for places in the saved area, and use the navigation function.

With the old offline mode, you were restricted to a 50kmx50km area and while you could download that map to use offline, you could just pan and zoom across the map, but could not search addresses or places, and could not use google navigation in offline mode. With the old offline mode, your maps were limited to 30 days, so if you remained offline for the duration, you wouldn't be able to open the offline maps again after the 30 days expired.

I was hoping that they would include some offline satellite maps like Garmin's BirdsEye, but it doesn't seem that they will.