Google Maps from this week will begin to show how prevalent COVID-19 is in geographical areas with a new colour coded update which will help you distinguish the density in your area.
Many people globally turn to Google Maps for vital information on how to get from place to place and best routes to take. Since the COVID-19 that has made billions all over the world to be more cautious about their health and safety, the app has introduced a new feature to help people stay safe. By getting information about the density of the virus from their mobile phone, they can make well-informed decisions about where to go.
The app is relying on multiple sources to try and make their information as accurate as possible. The sources include John Hopkins, The New York times and Wikipedia which all get data for public health organisations like the World Health Organisation, government health ministries as well as other agencies and hospitals.
Google Maps features will begin rolling out globally on Android and iOS platforms this week. Since the pandemic, movements have been restricted to only areas of importance. Clubs, churches and a couple of other businesses had shut down to minimise the spread. As businesses begin to open gradually, it’s necessary that people are well-informed about the density of the covid-19 cases in areas they wish to visit.
Over the years, the app has evolved from a platform recognised as a map to adding other exciting features. In June last year, Google Maps included a feature that lets users see basic information about a crisis like what’s happening, important telephone numbers and Twitter updates.
The idea is to not just move around blindly but to stay informed while on the move. It gives locations and even shows the density of traffic jam, the duration to get to your location and warning information about disasters. Most recently, it added updating information about COVID-19 which it shared extensively in a blogpost.
When you open Google Maps, tap on the layers button on the top right hand corner of your screen and click on “COVID-19 info”. You’ll then see a seven-day average of new COVID cases per 100,000 people for the area of the map you’re looking at, and a label that indicates whether the cases are trending up or down. Color coding also helps you easily distinguish the density of new cases in an area. Trending case data is visible at the country level for all 220 countries and territories that Google Maps supports, along with state or province, county, and city-level data where available.
Google takes advantage of situations to stay relevant in a demanding generation. Just a few weeks ago, we all relied on traditional information on COVID cases and maybe social media for information which might not even be accurate as fake news have found solace on social networking sites. To make life easier, the app has included colour-coded feature to let users stay informed about covid-19 cases all in a bid to make the maps a more useful hub of information beyond just looking up directions.
Not only that, the app also has a feature where you can easily share your location to a third party to help some locate you easily. Many people use this feature for security concerns by letting a trusted person keep tabs on their locations. This feature has helped many users locate lost friends or people in danger.
Google Maps evolved over the years from just a road map to becoming a necessity. The big idea is to remain highly significant in an increasingly competitive tech environment.