Google Maps Updated With Ride Services Tab and Spotlight Search Integration

[MacRumors]

Google today updated its Google Maps app with a new ride service tab, Spotlight Search integration and the ability to save route options. While Uber has been integrated into Google Maps for the past two years, the new ride service tab allows users to more easily access pickup times and prices. In international destinations, Google has integrated several other ride hailing companies.

If you have a provider's app installed and tap on the ride service tab, you'll be able to see fare estimates and pick up times if a car is available near you. Select a service, and we'll take you directly to their app for you to book your ride with one tap. When it makes sense, we'll also show ride service availability when viewing the map in walking and transit directions, and multiple ride services options for each provider--where they exist. For example, if you're using Uber, starting today, we'll now show uberX, uberXL and UberBLACK for an easy and quick comparison.

While American Google Maps users only get Uber, users in five other countries will receive additional options: 99Taxis in Brazil, Ola Cabs in India, Hailo in the UK and Spain, mytaxi in Germany and Spain, and Gett in the UK.

The update will also allow users to use Spotlight Search to find their favorite saved places as well as places they've recently viewed in Google Maps. Driving, walking and biking route options can also be saved for later use.

Google Maps for iOS is available for free in the App Store. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Google Maps Updated With Ride Services Tab and Spotlight Search Integration

 

[memco]

This could be useful to me if it also includes Pool prices. Would love to see Lyft integration too as I sometimes jump between all 3 apps planning a trip.

 

[Rockadile]

How about showing exact route times instead of Similar ETA?
Day/Night mode switch?
Reverse switch next to the From & To?
Less announcer chatter (this is your fastest route despite current traffic...blah blah). No sht, I picked it.

 

[jonnysods]

Man this is cool. I use the quick search all the time, if I can use GMaps? Loving it.

 

[agrantgreen]

@Rockadile A ****ing men. I cannot stand the "you are on the fastest route" interruption every time I'm having a conversation.

 

[C DM]

How about showing exact route times instead of Similar ETA?
Day/Night mode switch?
Reverse switch next to the From & To?
Less announcer chatter (this is your fastest route despite current traffic...blah blah). No sht, I picked it.

Wouldn't similar ETA just be the same time essentially?

And isn't the reverse switch just a tap away?

 

[venusboy]

Would love to see Lyft integration too as I sometimes jump between all 3 apps planning a trip.

Yeah Google should think about including other service providers if they don't want to get fined for antitrust behavior like Microsoft did for IE.

 

[Aston441]

Yes I can't stand the you are on the fastest route thing. Somebody at Google when you read this: please make it stop.

Was this some pointy haired manager's pet idea the coding team was forced to tack in?

 

[Mums]

Am I the only one who's not comfortable with ride sharing?

 

[thewitt]

Am I the only one who's not comfortable with ride sharing?

I bailed on an Uber ride in San Francisco when I opened the door. The smell that poured from the car nearly overwhelmed me...

 

[EdT]

At one time, in settings, both Apple and Google maps had an easy to find toll road selection. The ability is probably still there in both apps but finding/using it is neither easy or intuitive. As features are added, and even on a large screen phone space becomes a premium, I am finding the actual app less useful because of the difficulty of finding or using features.

 

[stepshows]

@Rockadile A ****ing men. I cannot stand the "you are on the fastest route" interruption every time I'm having a conversation.

Does the app ever tell you when you're on the slowest route?

 

[C DM]

At one time, in settings, both Apple and Google maps had an easy to find toll road selection. The ability is probably still there in both apps but finding/using it is neither easy or intuitive. As features are added, and even on a large screen phone space becomes a premium, I am finding the actual app less useful because of the difficulty of finding or using features.

Not completely sure about Apple Maps, but in Google Maps it's under route options when you are looking at a route, which is fairly accessible and straightforward.

 

[KidAKidB]

Yeah Google should think about including other service providers if they don't want to get fined for antitrust behavior like Microsoft did for IE.

Should a Apple include third party providers as well then?
[doublepost=1458841737][/doublepost]

At one time, in settings, both Apple and Google maps had an easy to find toll road selection. The ability is probably still there in both apps but finding/using it is neither easy or intuitive. As features are added, and even on a large screen phone space becomes a premium, I am finding the actual app less useful because of the difficulty of finding or using features.

It's definitely there and simple to find on Google Maps but Apple Maps to my knowledge doesn't have it.

 

[Rockadile]

Wouldn't similar ETA just be the same time essentially?

And isn't the reverse switch just a tap away?

It would look better listed by X/XX min than "Similar ETA". Don't you agree?
They had the reverse switch next to the To & From in the past. Why would they step backwards and hide it?

And you can't use it for planning because there isn't a "no traffic" route time option.
Speed limit shown would be nice.
Changing order or deleting certain tabs (walking, bicycle, etc.) also.

 

[C DM]

It would look better listed by X/XX min than "Similar ETA". Don't you agree?
They had the reverse switch next to the To & From in the past. Why would they step backwards and hide it?

And you can't use it for planning because there isn't a "no traffic" route time option.
Speed limit shown would be nice.
Changing order or deleting certain tabs (walking, bicycle, etc.) also.

I'm not sure I follow "X/XX min" part of it when talking about "Similar ETA".

 

[Rockadile]

I'm not sure I follow "X/XX min" part of it when talking about "Similar ETA".

Like 5 min or 50 min

 

[C DM]

Like 5 min or 50 min

Well, you are given one preferred/selected route with a time that you know, like "5 min" and another alternative route that says "Similar ETA" meaning that it's the same 5 min as the preferred/selected route.