Google Maps to Predict User Destinations
Google Maps is about to make directions even easier for Android users, as the navigation app will be able to accurately predict where the user is headed next.
Google has created a "driving mode" that will automatically set a route to the destination where it expects the user is headed, Tech Radar reports.
How it Works
The newest update to Google Maps, version 9.19, has driving mode built-in. The app will attempt to predict where the user is going based on location history and past web searches.
The new driving mode feature will especially help users out on their daily commute and errands. Users will not have to enter their destination if driving mode is accurate. Along the route, users will also be given updates on traffic and travel times.
Driving mode is pretty easy to find within the app, but users may have some trouble getting it activated. Currently, the activation process for the new mode seems to have some bugs, but once they are fixed, users should be able to activate the new feature and add a shortcut to their home screens. For now, the best way to get the mode working is through navigation settings.
How it Will Help
Google Maps can use a variety of information in order to determine navigation habits. If a user is at the office five days a week during normal business hours, the app will detect that location as "work" automatically. When the user starts driving to work in the morning, driving mode will start mapping out directions for the user, finding the fastest route possible by avoiding traffic or other delays.
After work, if the user usually heads to the grocery store, Google Maps will recognize that trend and map out an optimized route to the grocery store.
To read more about driving mode, check out Google's blog post on the topic.