Unlocking the Power of Google Maps: A Comprehensive Critique

Abstract

Instructor’s Name Google maps is a mobile app for iOS and Android mobile operating system and act as a representative application for geographical information. It began with two brothers, Lars and Rasmussen Jens, as a desktop program in 2004 before it was acquired by Google and converted into a web application. Google maps provide detailed information on geographic regions and sites and stand out as the best map application in the world due to its efficiency. Google maps offer routine times for traveling to various destinations through biking, foot, air transportation, and public transit. It also offers 360° interactive panoramic streets, satellite imagery, and aerial photography. Google maps are the most popular navigation app in the United States as of 2020, with over 150 million monthly users (Nagaraj & Stern 2020). For many years Google Maps has been an efficient platform in finding a location, reading reviews before visiting a place, and finding direction. Smartphone owners are the biggest users of Google Maps for navigation purposes. Google maps act as a search engine for business users in harnessing information. Google maps provide a platform where individuals can find various businesses and provide an appealing image display. Google maps enhance self-orientation. When one gets objective, they are oriented to learn new places, broaden their business perspectives, and expand their territories through navigation. Google maps enhance accessibility since it is used to navigate through buildings and see through the interior of places that are difficult to attain. Google maps help individuals access current and future traffic and save time in their various destinations. Through this, individuals can predict traffic and use various routes that will limit traffic. One can attest to the usefulness of google maps when they lose direction. It is an essential app that facilitates online vendors' delivery of their products since the app enables pinning of location enhancing efficiency in business transactions. There are many processes executed in the Google maps application. The three key processes that can be executed in the app include: (1) How to create your own maps, (2) how to find accessible transit routes, and (3) how to share a location. Google provides a platform where individuals can create maps for friends, workmates, or family by designing routes and points of interest. To get started sign in with the google account, then go to my maps in the browser. Set location and mark the POIs and routes importing data and coloring different layers and routes, and the creations are automatically saved on google drive and can be found on the saved tab on google maps. People with mobility issues can use google maps to find transit routes friendly to them—for instance, people who use wheelchairs. The first step is entering the destination they are going to, tap directions and select the public transportation icon; tap options and under the routes section select wheelchair accessible. Transit routes for the disabled can be sorted using this application. Google maps enable sharing of locations whether one is there or not. It also provides a platform where you can take pictures and send them. The first step is to hold the place's location to drop a pin, tap the address button at the bottom of the screen to expand then share it. A list of apps will pop out and you can select any you want to use. The app stands out supreme among other navigation due to its detailed and large information giving it much stronger. Google maps provide a platform for reviews enhancing customer credibility. Taking a case where you are new in business and want to recommend, the reviews can be the turning point. Star ratings, written reviews and display of images provide customer trust and attract potential customers. The app thrives on accessibility. Imagine an application that provides a layout of cities and towns with distinct features and grandeur. One can harness geographical features, recreational facilities, museums, airports, and housing which gives it a thumbs up in enhancing accessibility—visual presentation of businesses matters as a form of advertisement. Google maps provide an appealing representation of the business interior and what is in store for consumers. Through this analogy, we can deduce that this app strengthens customer service relationships. This application is quick and efficient to use. It works at one’s disposal. From accessing location...