The traffic feature on Google Maps is a blessing for people
in big cities around the world. The traffic conditions in these places are
difficult to predict and can change suddenly in a matter of minutes. Not
surprisingly if a short journey can take several hours. With the applications
such as Google Maps, we have tools to avoid the worst scenarios.
For you who are required to dwell with the congested roads
everyday would have been quite familiar with the existence of Google Maps. This
application is available in the majority of Android handsets. Besides being
able to guide your journey, you can also see the traffic conditions, indicated
by different colors (Red means the traffic jam is getting worse). And via the
latest update, Google presents notification feature in Google Maps, so the
information will be faster and simpler.
The way it works is simple, you just use the Google Maps as
usual, it appears automatically after logging into navigation mode. When the
system detects congestion, a notification will appear at the bottom of the
smartphone's screen. Your application will also provide an alternative route as
well as an explanation why Google Maps recommends it. It will also give
information if there is accident on the road that you pass and estimate the
time you'll spend, versus the time if you took another route.
Notification is not the only feature that could help the
users on the roads. Last September, an update on Google Maps allowed users to
get direction information based on the locations of landmarks; it's very useful
if you are traveling by taxi. As well as landmark capabilities, the
notification is available for both Android and iOS devices.
If comparing the Google Maps with the UI Waze, the UI Waze
is indeed friendlier and more intuitive, and the update is faster thanks to the
crowdsource information from fellow users. However, Google Maps will gradually
provide similar capabilities, it will be more flexible, and very useful if you
often change the transportation methods such as driving car, riding motorcycle,
taking public transportation, or even walking.