Google Maps new features: commuting routes, whether trains and buses tend to be hot or cold, and digital addresses for people without physical ones

Features celebrating app’s 15th anniversary also include a tab with reviews and details of restaurants, shops and other venues, which can be contacted directly

Google Maps is working on providing ‘Plus Code’ addresses if people lack street addresses, so they will be able to access things like banking and receive mail

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Google Maps marked 15 years with the roll out of a number of new app features. Photo: DPA

Published: 5:00am, 12 Feb 2020Updated: 8:51pm, 12 Feb 2020

Google Maps marked 15 years on the road this week with the roll out of new features for the popular mobile app that has helped move navigation into the digital age.

The tech giant is marking the occasion with a new look and product updates, vice-president of product Dane Glasgow said in a blog post.

Google has dominated the market for navigation apps in recent years but the latest updates appear aimed at staying ahead of challengers including Apple, which recently revamped its own maps application to be faster, more comprehensive and with more accurate navigation.

A Google Maps “explore” tab offers reviews and details regarding restaurants, shops, cinemas and other venues, taking advantage of location-sensing capabilities in smartphones. A “commute” tab promises to deliver efficient routes to or from work whether people are driving or using public transport.

Apple has also recently revamped its own maps application. Photo: DPA

Google has more than 1 billion monthly active users for its app, has mapped more than 220 countries and territories, and offers live traffic updates in 171 countries.