However, crowdsourced contributions to Google Maps were not discontinued as the company announced those features would be transferred to the Google Local Guides program. Google Map Maker allowed users to collaboratively expand and update the service's mapping worldwide but was discontinued from March 2017. Google Maps offers an API that allows maps to be embedded on third-party websites, and offers a locator for businesses and other organizations in numerous countries around the world. The service's front end utilizes JavaScript, XML, and Ajax. After additional acquisitions of a geospatial data visualization company and a real-time traffic analyzer, Google Maps was launched in February 2005. In October 2004, the company was acquired by Google, which converted it into a web application. Google Maps began as a C++ desktop program developed by brothers Lars and Jens Rasmussen at Where 2 Technologies. As of 2020, Google Maps was being used by over one billion people every month around the world. It offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, 360° interactive panoramic views of streets ( Street View), real-time traffic conditions, and route planning for traveling by foot, car, bike, air (in beta) and public transportation. Google Maps is a web mapping platform and consumer application offered by Google. Important: We suggest you put down your phone when you no longer need directions.Afrikaans, Azerbaijani, Indonesian, Malay, Bosnian, Catalan, Czech, Danish, German (Germany), Estonian, English (United States), Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Latin America), Basque, Filipino, French (France), Galician, Croatian, Zulu, Icelandic, Italian, Swahili, Latvian, Lithuanian, Hungarian, Dutch, Norwegian, Uzbek, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Romanian, Albanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Finnish, Swedish, Vietnamese, Turkish, Greek, Bulgarian, Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Macedonian, Mongolian, Russian, Serbian, Ukrainian, Georgian, Armenian, Hebrew, Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Amharic, Nepali, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Sinhala, Thai, Lao, Burmese, Khmer, Korean, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional ChineseĬ++ (back-end), JavaScript, XML, Ajax (UI) We recommend that you use Live View only when needed most, such as when you start your journey, you reach a turn, or you're about to reach your destination. In places where Street View is available.In places where you can point your phone camera at buildings and signs across the street.Once Google Maps recognizes where you are, it displays the navigation instructions on your phone. The message tells you to point your phone camera at buildings, street signs, or any element of scenery that Google Maps can recognize against Street View data in the area. When you tap Live View, a message pops up on your screen. Tip: You can also use the search options at the bottom of the screen. Hover or tap on an annotation to get more information about the place.Annotations of nearby places will show up.Pan and point your phone to buildings or signs until you see “Ready!” text.This feature is only available in London, Los Angeles, New York City, Paris, San Francisco, and Tokyo. Under "Walking options," turn off Live view.In the top right, tap your profile picture or initial Settings Navigation settings.The tilt feature turns on by default, but you can follow these steps to modify the setting: You can alternate between Live View and the 2D map view when you move your phone from the vertical to the horizontal position. Important: Live View is not intended for use in a moving vehicle. When you want to return to Live View, simply tilt your phone to a vertical position or press the Live View button.Your phone vibrates when you reach the next navigation step or destination.Tip: For safety and to prolong your battery, we suggest you put away your phone once you know where to go. Once Maps knows where you are, you’ll get directions through the camera view on your screen.Tip: Point your phone camera at buildings and signs across the street, instead of trees and people. Follow the on-screen instructions to help Maps find your location.Above the map in the travel mode toolbar, tap Walking.In the search bar, enter a destination or tap it on the map.On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app.With Live View, you get directions placed in the real world and on a mini map at the bottom of your screen. You can use Live View navigation during the walking portion of any type of trip. Google Maps offers two views for walking navigation: the 2D map and Live View.