GOOD NEWS TO ALL ANDROID GOOGLE MAPS USERS!
With its new application update, Google Maps has begun testing a function that gives users recommendations on good eateries in major cities such as New York, San Francisco and London. Similarly to other platforms like Yelp!, the service will list high rated restaurants that specialize in breakfast, coffee, lunch, drinks and dinner. Among its filters, the test phase includes options such as ‘quick bite’ or ‘family-friendly’. Some of the data the service is based from is from Zagat, incorporating user reviews, cost and location information, though Google assures that they will give the feature an original twist to compete against sites like Foursquare and Zomato.
If the test runs successfully, the feature will expand to other major cities.
Murali Viswanathan, Senior Product Manager at Google, comments by saying that Google Maps may offer a suggested list based on location and time of day. Users will be able to see pictures, check reviews and access more detailed information on the eateries listed. Viswanathan elaborates in the company blog by saying once a user picks the category that suits their craving, they will be able to see in-depth details about each location, swipe through photos, get details, and check out ratings and reviews from Google and other diners.
HOW DOES IT WORK EXACTLY?
The new Maps update will come with an updated exploration widget, which will give users access to a new tier of recommendations of nearby places for a bite to eat or a drink in the mobile application. Users can even search for places by ambiance in order to fit to their tastes and mood. According to Google, the new update is designed to “highlight the local flavor” beyond the data collected based on algorithms and user data. The app may even recommend places based on your search history, pinpointing places similar to ones you may have visited before.
GOOGLE AND FOOD
Reports say that Google has been very active in incorporating gastronomical services to their applications, working on technology to determine calorie content in dishes from dish photos in addition to its fresh features which allow users to upload images in restaurant points on the Maps app.
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