Google has always been an innovation driven company and the latest ''WiFi only" mode for the google maps which can be used on Android phones is another example of the latest innovation. This app can be exclusively kept in an offline mode while travelling, thus saving the roaming charges for the user.
While someone takes up a road trip and is not sure of the route, keeping the data on is often one of the most crucial things for the traveller, however, with this new feature, they can download the maps on an SD card. Since the user can navigate offline after downloading the map, this will save the data charges for the traveller, according to Engadget.
In this limited roll out edition, Google feels that this feature will help the users in the third world countries too as often the internet connections are not reliable there and they are often expensive. This feature will help the car rental companies like Uber a lot. In countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, India, Singapore and Thailand, Uber drivers can make use on this offline feature of the Google maps and help the customers reach their destination easily.
Google maps has also partnered with Gett, Hail, and MyTaxi in Ireland, Poland, Italy, Austria, Russia and Israel. The mapping division of Nokia, known as Here maps had introduced these offline and SD storage feature of maps for a while now. Google feels that due to its large reach, they will be more successful than other providers.
Even in an area with a spotty data service, the travellers can save on the battery life by switching on the ''Wifi Only'' mode. According to the official blog site, now a user who uses a primitive smart phone with storage capacity as low as 4GB needs not delete the existing videos and photos from his or her mobile. They can very well store the maps in the external SD card.
In a situation, when the driver does not know the route, and is sitting in the car for the map to download in an area where internet connection on a roaming mode is poor will be saved the hassle. This is a safer mode for women who might be stranded alone in an area with bad data connection and need directions to reach to a safe destination.
For those who are new to Google Maps, this video will be a useful introduction.