Google today has introduced Plus Codes for Maps which is a simple location-based digital addressing system and voice Navigation in six additional Indian languages. The Plus Codes concept divides the surface of the Earth into tiny ‘tiled areas’ and assigns a unique to each.
The code comprises of a 6-character + City format that can be generated, shared and searched by anyone. Since it is an open source, any application that uses location services can easily incorporate it. To use the Plus Codes, all you got to do is simply enter it into the Search field on Google or Google Maps both on the desktop and mobile which then will show you the location.
[HTML1]
Google says that Plus Codes can be used for various reasons including communicating, guiding emergency services to afflicted locations, and providing an identifiable location for complicated addresses. Google also introduced the new ‘Add an Address’ which will enable users to contribute to the Maps by submitting new or missing addresses through this feature making the address searchable after verification.
Not just that, Google with an aim to make it easier and simple to search for addresses, Google is bringing a new Smart Address Search which according to the company is an innovative approach to providing the best estimate of the location of an address. In case Google Maps doesn’t understand the address precisely, the Smart Address Search will now try to use all the pieces of information in the address and provide options for landmarks which will make it easier for users to best identify the addresses.
The company is also bringing voice navigation in six additional Indian languages: Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam.
Regarding the new features, Suren Ruhela, Director, Google Maps Next Billion Users, said:
At Google Maps, our objective has always been about organizing all location-related information, and making it more accessible and relevant for Indian users. Address search is critical for delivering on this mission.
In India, we know how challenging it can be to reach a given residential address. They are unique in format, and vary across regions, localities, and use cases. While some addresses are well-defined by street names and house numbers that are easy to find, others can be long-winded and hard to locate. The other reality is that millions of people and places in India are hard to locate — especially those in remote areas. We are deeply committed to helping find solutions to these challenges.
Krish Vitaldevara, Product Lead, Google Maps Next Billion Users, said:
India continues to inspire us, and pushes us to reimagine what Maps can do for people. And we are just getting started as we continue to build features and expand our partnerships to make the Google Maps experience more comprehensive, accurate, and reliable for our users.