Google Maps Navigation Takes You Around Traffic Jams

Mar 8, 2011 - 8:46 am 0 by
Filed Under Google Maps

Google Maps NavigationOne of those extremely useful features I miss having in my car's navigation is traffic data. I simply do not want to pay the fees to XM for the every now and then that I need it. But when I need it, it always seems worth while.

Google announced that Google Maps Navigation now has built in traffic support. The free navigation app will now give you the option to go around traffic, if you so desire - and yes, for free.

Google explained:

You don't have to do anything to be routed around traffic; just start Navigation like you normally would, either from the Navigation app or from within Google Maps. Before today, Navigation would choose whichever route was fastest, without taking current traffic conditions into account. It would also generate additional alternate directions, such as the shortest route or one that uses highways instead of side roads. Starting today, our routing algorithms will also apply our knowledge of current and historical traffic to select the fastest route from those alternates. That means that Navigation will automatically guide you along the best route given the current traffic conditions.

Not only can you save time and fuel, you're making traffic better for everyone else by avoiding traffic jams. Keep in mind that we can't guarantee that Navigation will be able to find a faster way, but it will always try to get you where you’re going as fast as possible.

Google Maps traffic data always seems very accurate and real-time to me, so I suspect this will be a popular feature amongst Android drivers.

Forum discussion at Google Mobile Help.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Follow

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: October 7, 2024

Oct 7, 2024 - 10:00 am
Google Ads

Google Tests Sponsored Ad Label Variations

Oct 7, 2024 - 7:51 am
Google

Google Shopping "Researched with AI - Experimental" Answer

Oct 7, 2024 - 7:41 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google Merchant Listings Adds Certification Markup Support

Oct 7, 2024 - 7:31 am
Google

Google Search Product Detail Grid With Nearby Label

Oct 7, 2024 - 7:21 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google Drops Support For Noarchive Meta Tag Directive

Oct 7, 2024 - 7:11 am
Previous Story: International Women's Day & Mardi Gras Search Engine Logos