Google Maps is replaced by offline browsing on Android – Techworld

Download the map and continue to plot routes and access information on local, even without Internet access

Google starts releasing today for Android users the possibility of offline browsing in Gooogle Maps, appealed in May during the Google I / O 2015. Until Tuesday next, all Android device users will already have the feature enabled.

From now on you can download maps of entire cities or part of them, for offline access, without missing some features such as the ability to plot routes and access information about public places such as restaurants and museums. The offline map also keeps the navigation features step by step voice, for use in the car.

Go to a city where the internet connection is bad? Remember to download the map before. The download option fully replaces the option to save the maps offline, with benefits.

“To date, all of the Google Maps functionality needed the internet. Now you can lose access, temporarily or days, and still have functional application, with basic resources, “explains Marcus Leal, Maps Manager for Latin America.

Brazil entered the list of the first countries to have released feature, as it integrates the list of top 5 in number and volume of Donwloads Maps hits. According to Google Brazil, the penetration of smartphones in the country in the last two years exceeded 50% of the population. “One in two Brazilians using a smartphone. But many do not have an active data plan at the time they most need. The offline is resource for them,” said Leal.

According to the executive, Google’s intention was not to help users save on consumption data, although this is possible. Just the user to download the map of the desired location and disable roaming or opt for airplane mode.

“What we considered was the performance. If the connection worsen suddenly, and the user has the map file in the phone memory, the application immediately triggers the offline mode and follow it until the connection back to improve. The user will not see the typical loading cycle of slow access to data, “says Leal.

Each map file for offline access lasts 30 days. After expires, to force the user to re-download. “So we ensure that the user is off with the most current information,” says the executive. If the user is in an area with connection, 15 days before the map expires, the application sends the first message alerting you to the need for map update. And so on, until the map is updated or expire

Important:. The area selected for the map can not exceed 2.5 GB, since it fits in the device memory .. There is also the minimum limit . You can not, for example, to select only one or two blocks from the neighborhood. Google recommends to use 400MB maximum. Gives to spare. The map of the metropolitan region of São Paulo, for example, downloaded during the presentation of the product is 240MB.

In the next version of Google Maps for Android, at 9:17, the app will also get the functionality “Their places “, which selects the maps of the areas most frequented by users. The offline feature will let the user to download these sites already selected.

The offline map also has this first version the feature bus routes and bike. “But they certainly will be present in future versions,” assures Leal. There are also plans to soon release the offline browsing to iOS devices

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