Google Maps’s Local Guides can start submitting videos

Google Maps has what it calls a Local Guides program, which lets citizens share accurate and detailed “user-generated content” about different places. There isn’t any monetary value to it but the Local Guides are given virtual points and badges for the work they do. Now to add more to what the guides can do, Google is rolling out a new feature to let guides share 10-second footage that can be shot within Google Maps. Contributors can also upload up to 30 seconds of footage if it was taken with another app and uploaded from the gallery. Google even shared some things you can shoot, including short reviews.

The videos aren’t showing up yet and it doesn’t look like they can upload from the web at the moment. Google hasn’t indicated when this feature would be live but since they’re asking the guides to submit clips, perhaps we should see them soon. The blog post detailing this new feature doesn’t indicate what the review process for the videos will be like but contributors are being asked to read the review policy and audio content policy. We also don’t know yet if this’ll earn guides more points.

Google Maps tells you when’s the best time to leave for your destination

Google Maps isn’t just going to alert you about traffic in your area. This time, a new update coming to Android will let you know when the best time to leave for your destination will be. A bar graph shows up when you input directions and it shows you everything from the relative time it’ll take you to get to your destination. It’ll show you estimates of how long it’ll have taken a half hour earlier and how long it’ll take in the next few hours. The bar graph will either be highlighted in green, yellow, or red to show traffic conditions. As mentioned, the feature is coming to Android but no word yet when it’ll hit iOS devices.

Source: The Verge

Google brings ‘Ms. Pac-Man’ to Maps for April Fools’ Day

We’ve already posted this on Instagram but just in time for April Fools’ Day, Google Maps is bringing Pac-Man back through Ms. Pac-Man. Back in 2015, Google Maps used the original Pac-Man game. To play the game, just open Google Maps and tap on the pink button on the right. We’ve noticed on Android that it doesn’t use our current location but picks a random spot. According to The Verge, some iOS users can select the map they want to play on. If you play on the web, you can pick your level. The web version doesn’t seem to be working for all yet but perhaps they’re waiting for April 1^st to come to most parts of the world.

Google Maps promotes Kong’s Skull Island

Google has done many movie tie-ins in the past. This time around, Google Maps works with Legendary for the upcoming release of Kong: Skull Island. You can’t exactly see the island on the map as it’s just a blip on the south of the equator in the Pacific Ocean. But it does get an info page of sorts that links it as an Archeological Site and has a link to the official tie-in website that lets you explore the island and the creatures on it. You can also leave a review, if you want. Kong: Skull Island comes out in Canada on March 10.

Source: The Verge