Google Maps receives a new feature called Indoor Live View. This new capability offers an Augmented Reality view of various places such as airports, malls, train stations, and other locations. 

Google Maps Receives New AR Feature: Remotely Visiting Malls, Airports, and More is Now Possible
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An Indonesian Muslim woman, Raditya, plays Pokemon Go game on her smartphone on July 24, 2016 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. "Pokemon Go," which uses Google Maps and a smartphone has been a smash-hit in countries where it is available and already popular in Indonesia even though it has not been officially released. Indonesians have been downloading the game by using a proxy location which gives them access to app stores of other countries as security officials have voiced worries that the game could pose a security threat.

Google's innovation will come in handy since people are still required to avoid traveling because of the ongoing global pandemic. According to CNN Business' latest report, the software giant unveiled its new technology on Tuesday, Mar. 30. 

The company explained that the latest Indoor Live View offers an AR view of arrows, icons, and directions on the user's smartphone. You can use the new feature to find stores in a shopping mall and even a bathroom at an airport.

Google claimed that it is better than the current indoor maps of Google Maps since Indoor Live View is more interactive.

How Google Maps' AR feature works

Google Maps' Product Director Russel Dicker explained that the latest AR feature would soon help users find a range of indoor things. These include a train platform, a baggage claim, and more. 

Google Maps Receives New AR Feature: Remotely Visiting Malls, Airports, and More is Now Possible
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The Google Maps app is seen on an Apple iPhone 4S on December 13, 2012 in Fairfax, California. Three months after Apple removed the popular Google Maps from its operating system to replace it with its own mapping software, a Google Maps app has been added to the iTunes store. Apple Maps were widely panned in tech reviews and among customers, the fallout resulting in the dismissal of the top executive in charge of Apple's mobile operating system.

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Unlike other map apps, which use a built-in GPS and compass to determine the user's location, Indoor Live View is more efficient since it relies on artificial intelligence, as well as the massive inventory of Google Street View images. 

Aside from this, Google also explained that its new AR feature considers the user's altitude and the objects' locations inside a building. You can click here to know more details.  

How to use it

Life Hacker explained that all you need to do is open your Google Maps. After that, just type the location you are looking for and then click the blue Directions icon. Once the "Start AR" option appears, you need to click the button to start using the new feature. 

For more news updates about Google and its upcoming technologies, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.  

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Written by: Giuliano de Leon

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