Surprising Google Maps Tricks That Don t Involve Navigation

id="article-body" class="row" section="article-body"> Wherever you're headed, Google Maps can give you a snapshot of what you'll find when you get there, Garena Free Fire Download from real-time crowd numbers to menus, prices and contact information. Angela Lang/CNET I use Google Maps practically every day, even though I rarely actually use it to get directions. It's not obvious at first glance, but Google Maps can do a lot more than just navigate you from Point A to Point B. Beneath all those high-res satellite images and color-coded routes hides a powerful search tool, chock-full of crowdsourced real-time data on scores of retail stores, restaurants, professional offices and public parks -- and practically anywhere else you want to go.

Turn-by-turn directions are so last decade compared with some of Google Maps' more recent updates, which include AI-powered language translation and incognito mode to prevent leaving a paper trail. If you're already familiar with Google Maps as a navigation tool, next-level powers like these are only a tap, press or swipe away. To unleash the hidden power of the Google Maps app on your phone or tablet, Download Portal Knights APK take a look at the top four ways I use Google Maps every day that have nothing to do with getting directions.

Now playing: Watch this: Google updates Maps with AR, Facebook tests new video... 1:30 See how long the line is everywhere from Walmart to the DMV In the Google Maps app, real-time information on lines, crowds and premium app wait times is in red, but you can tap any other hour of day to see what you can probably expect then. Screenshot by Dale Smith/CNET Before I walk out the door, whether I'm heading to Walmart, the grocery store, Angry Birds Go apk hack download the doctor's office or to renew my driver's license, I almost always check Google Maps to see exactly how busy I can expect my destination to be.

Here's how you can look up that information too. In the Google Maps app, tap on the business or location you want to visit and scroll down until you see a graph labeled Popular times. Tap the day of the week if you're planning a trip for later that week.