Google Maps gets new features in India and New Zealand, support for more university campuses

Google today updated Google Maps with new turn-by-turn navigation features, including traffic conditions, biking directions, Map Maker, and new Street View imagery. The updates are region-specific, so pay attention to what might affect you.

In typical Google fashion, the search giant is celebrating the update with a new promotional YouTube video:

First up is India. Google Maps Navigation (Beta) (Android 2.2+) has received voice-guided turn-by-turn directions in thousands of towns across the country, including a familiar Indian accent if you’ve selected the Indian English locale on in your phone settings. Furthermore, live traffic conditions for major roads with estimated travel times are now available on both the mobile and desktop versions of Google Maps in six large Indian cities (Bengaluru, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad) and their surrounding suburbs. For the world’s second most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, this is a huge step forward.

Next is New Zealand. Biking directions and Map Maker are rolling out in the country, allowing cyclists to access biking directions directly on Google Maps and to add bike lanes/trails they know of or discover. The former is thanks to data provided by organizations such as Wellington Regional Council, Auckland Transport, The National Cycle Trails Project, and Hastings City Council. Map Maker can of course also be used to add anything else Kiwis notice is missing from their beloved national atlas. Once your contributions are approved, they will appear on Google Maps, Google Earth, and Google Maps.

Last but not least, Google is releasing new Street View imagery later today for more than 150 university campuses globally. The timing is on purpose, since classes are just getting started. So far, the panoramic views are available for 278 universities in 13 countries. To check if your school is included, check the full list: Street View University Partners.

Image credit: stock.xchng