Google admits that finding an address in India is always tricky, especially in remote areas. And, says that they are committed to helping find solutions for such isolated areas.
The company with its Google Maps application have developed a new location-based digital addressing system named – Plus Codes. “This system is based on dividing the geographical surface of the Earth into tiny ‘tiled areas’, attributing a unique code to each of them. This code simply comprises a ‘6-character + City’ format that can be generated, shared and searched by anyone -- all that’s needed is Google Maps on a smartphone. The open source nature of Plus Codes means that applications that uses location services can easily incorporate it on their platforms for free,” said Suren Ruhela, Director of Google Maps said in the company’s blog post.
Using these Plus Codes seems to be pretty easy; the user needs to have Google or Google Maps installed on their smartphones. “A plus code is like a street address for people or places that don't have one. Plus codes give addresses to everyone, everywhere, allowing them to receive deliveries, access emergency services, register to vote – and more. Plus codes are short, simple, and easy to use: X4HP+M5, Cairo, Egypt, for example. These codes can be used on Google Maps to get directions to a home or business,” the company mentioned in its blog post.
Google is also adding another step for accuracy and easy searching by introducing Add an address – a feature where users can contribute to the Maps experience from the Google Maps app. “Similar to adding businesses, users can submit new or missing addresses through this feature, and we'll make sure the address is searchable in due course after verification. And yes, you do get Local Guides points for each valid submission,” the company said.
A new approach from Google called Smart Address Search in which “If Google Maps doesn’t understand the address precisely, it will try to use all the pieces of information in the address and provide options of landmarks and points of interest that the user can best identify with exactly like a person would have”.
Google introduced voice navigation in Hindi in India three years ago, after receiving several requests for voice-navigation in local/regional languages, the company has finally decided to develop and introduce six regional languages that include Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam.
(Source)
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