Google Maps upgraded to work offline

Google has upgraded its Android Maps app so it can provide directions when not connected to the internet. The software also lets devices find businesses' locations, opening hours and telephone numbers while offline.

Google Maps showing UK traffic

While this upgrade would be most useful to tourists visiting places outside their mobile subscription plans and people living in emerging markets, where data can be expensive, it can be possible that budget-phone owners would now have to juggle data.

Google Maps marker

Said a technology expert,

"Entry-level Android smartphones sometimes only have four gigabytes of onboard storage, making it a precious resource. Once you've downloaded a few applications, some music and perhaps a video, that memory quickly disappears. So some users may find using map downloads limits what else they can do with their device - but to be honest that's one small negative in a sea of positives about this update."

Google said downloading most of Greater London would take up 380 megabytes on a device, while storing the San Francisco Bay area would require about 200MB.

Taken in Oct 2010, a Google Maps Camera Car showcased on Google campus in Mountain View, California

To make use of the new feature, users will have to tell the app to download an area they select. Once the information has been installed, the app is designed to switch "seamlessly" between offline and online modes. That means, for example, that if a driver starts their journey in an underground garage without a data connection, the app will suggest a route and drive-time estimate based on typical conditions, but will then amend the advice once it gains access to live traffic and accident information.

An example of Google Maps satellite view

The offline map will automatically update once every 15 days to stay current so long as the handset is plugged into a charger and connected to wi-fi.

The offline mode does have some limitations, however. Reviews people have posted about restaurants and other businesses are not shown, nor are user-generated photos. Owners cannot switch to a satellite view, and while the app provides driving directions, it will not offer walking or public transport-based routes. Even so, it is an improvement on the app's previous offline mode, which let users save maps of an area but not search or get directions within them.

Driving directions on Google Maps

And as for iPhones, Google added that it intended to release a similar update for iOS devices "very soon", but could not confirm if that would be before the year's end

(All images - credit: Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licence)