Google Maps Now Shows Android Users Indoor Floorplans

Navigating the outdoor world has been made extra easy over the years thanks to GPS and services such as Google Maps, but finding your way throughout malls, buildings and airports hasn’t been optimal until now.

Google introduced on Tuesday a feature included in its new Google Maps 6.0 for Android update that broadens its maps coverage beyond cities and countries to cover some heavily-trafficked indoor spaces.

“When you’re inside an airport, shopping mall or retail store, a common way to figure out where you are is to look for a freestanding map directory or ask an employee for help,” Google said via its Lat Log Blog. “With the release of Google Maps 6.0 for Android, that directory is brought to the palm of your hands, helping you determine where you are, what floor you’re on and where to go indoors.”

Android smartphone and tablet users can view detailed floor plans on their devices when they zoom in on a building where indoor map data is available. The familiar “blue dot” icon indicates a user’s location, and it automatically updates when they switch floors.

The company said it has already partnered with various retailers and transit centers, including the Mall of America in Minneapolis, IKEA, The Home Depot, various Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s locations, Chicago O’Hare airport, San Francisco International Airport and Narita International airport in Tokyo.

With Google Maps 6.0 for Android, users also can now use a toolbar to quickly navigate through features, from viewing their location on a map and finding GPS directions to discovering which restaurants and stores are nearby. In addition, a new home screen has also been added for its Places feature which highlights popular searches for current locations.

The latest mobile software update is available for download from the Android Market for Android OS 2.1+ devices.

More About: android, Google, Google Maps, Google Maps 6.0

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