Get All Access for $5/mo

How the Updated Google Maps Will Make Your Life Easier Google updated its Maps app with a new lane guidance feature and the ability to compare transit rates with those of ride-sharing service Uber.

By Benjamin Kabin

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Yesterday Google updated its mobile Maps app for iOS and Android with new features that will make it easier to stay on track even when you're offline.

In order to better prepare for road trips and vacations, Maps now lets users save and name locations for reference when service isn't available. Travelers can pull up their saved maps from the profile icon in the top right corner.

The new lane guidance feature helps drivers avoid wrong turns and wasted time by showing them which lane they need to be in for their next turn or exit. This feature appears to have been carried over from Waze, a social navigation app that Google acquired last June for $966 million.

Related: 5 Morning Rituals to Keep You Productive All Day Long

For those who use public transit, integrated schedules and the "depart at" and "last train home" features will keep riders from missing the train or becoming stranded far from home.

For even more travel options Maps now lets city-dwellers compare transit options and routes with Uber. Users who have the Uber app installed and select the option will be taken straight into the app.

For shopping and dining, new search filters for finding nearby businesses based on their hours, cost and reviews are aimed at making it easier for users to find exactly what they need right away. No more going to the museum only to find it's closed on Mondays.

Related: I Removed Every Inessential Thing From My Website. Here's What Happened (to My Life).

Benjamin Kabin

Journalist

Benjamin Kabin is a Brooklyn-based technology journalist who specializes in security, startups, venture capital and social media.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

Is One Company to Blame for Soaring Rental Prices in the U.S.?

The FBI recently raided a major corporate landlord while investigating a rent price-fixing scheme. Here's what we know.

Side Hustle

This Former Starbucks Employee Started a Side Hustle That's Making More Than $70,000 a Month — and He's Not Done Yet

When Tom Saar moved to New York City, he spotted a lucrative business opportunity.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Amazon Has a Blank Book Problem: Buyers Report Receiving Fakes of Bestselling UFO Book

The book looked fine on the outside, but the inside was out-of-this-world.

Green Entrepreneur®

Why You Need a Contribution Mindset to Thrive in 2024 and Beyond

How to set yourself and your business up for long-term success.

Marketing

6 SEO Tips to Help You Rank in the New Era of Quality Content

What is the best SEO strategy after Google's March 2024 core update? Here's what you need to know.