When it comes to Google Maps, most people immediately think of a great navigation tool that helps to locate and find directions quickly. However, in reality, Google Maps has evolved far beyond a simple navigation application. With a diverse service ecosystem and strong connectivity, Google Maps provides a series of utilities to support users in many aspects of life.

In this article, we will explore 5 useful features of Google Maps that many people have not fully utilized. These features not only help save time and effort but also bring a smarter and more interesting experience when traveling or exploring the world around.

1. 5 useful features of Google Maps

1.1. Remember parking location

You must have experienced the feeling of struggling to find your car in a large parking lot, especially when going to shopping malls, airports or crowded areas. This can sometimes be not only stressful but also time-consuming. Google Maps has thought of this problem and provided an extremely smart solution: the feature of saving parking locations.

Using this feature is extremely simple. After you park your car, open the Google Maps app on your phone, tap the green dot icon that represents your current location, then select “Save Parking Location”. The app will immediately remember the location of your car and display a confirmation message.

This has many benefits. When you need to find your car, just open Google Maps, tap the P icon displayed on the map and select “Directions”. Google Maps will lead you back to the exact location of your car without having to worry about searching in vain. Not only that, if you want to share your car’s location with friends or family (for example, if you are in a carpool and get separated from the group), just tap Share this location, send it via text message or your favorite chat app.

In addition to remembering where you parked, Google Maps can also help you find parking spots near your destination. For example, before going to a restaurant in the downtown area, you can open Google Maps, enter your destination, tap Directions, then select Add Stop, search for the keyword "Parking". The results will display a list of nearby parking lots, helping you proactively choose the most convenient parking spot.

This feature is especially useful for those who often travel in crowded cities or travel to unfamiliar places. Instead of having to worry, you can enjoy a more comfortable trip with the support of Google Maps.

1.2. Turn back time with “Your Timeline”

Google Maps not only helps you find your way, but can also become a personal travel diary. The “Timeline” feature allows users to review their entire travel history, from the cities you’ve been to, the restaurants you’ve eaten at, to your favorite coffee shops.

To use it, you first need to enable it. Open Google Maps, tap the profile icon in the upper right corner, select “Your Timeline” and enable it. Once enabled, the app will automatically record your daily journeys.

You can drill down to a day or a week, or even compare your itinerary with your friends. For example, if you’re traveling together, you can see who’s the more “adventurous” one. This is not only entertaining, but also great for keeping memories, especially for those who love to travel.

Additionally, the timeline also helps you recall favorite places that you may have forgotten the names of. For example, you remember visiting a cafe with a beautiful view in Da Lat but can’t remember the exact location. Just open the timeline and select a specific date, Google Maps will show the exact location of the cafe, making it easy for you to return.

For those who travel frequently for work, this feature is also useful in summarizing travel reports, controlling working time and even calculating travel expenses. Some businesses also take advantage of this feature to manage employee routes, ensuring work efficiency.

1.3. View past images of the location

Have you ever wondered what a street you're standing on today looked like 5 or 10 years ago? Google Maps, with its Street View feature, not only gives you a visual representation of the street today, but also lets you see what it looked like in the past.

It's simple. Open Google Maps, tap and hold on the spot you want to view on the map, then tap the image at the bottom. In the upper left corner, you'll see a small clock or calendar icon. Tap it, and you can scroll through and select the times Google captured Street View images in that area.

This feature offers many interesting values. You can observe the dramatic changes of a city, witness new buildings rising up, or simply reminisce about a familiar place from the past. For urbanists, architects, or even history lovers, this is an invaluable source of visual data.

However, it is also important to note that not all areas have Street View data from multiple time periods. In large cities, data is often more extensive, while in rural or less developed areas, there may only be a single set of images.

Street View isn't just for nostalgia, it's also useful for people who want to scout out an area ahead of time. For example, if you're moving to a new city and want to see what the neighborhood looked like a few years ago to get a sense of how it's developed, or if you want to check out a storefront you're about to visit.

1.4. Explore new places

Google Maps can not only guide you to your destination, but can also act as a virtual tour guide. If you're in an area you're completely unfamiliar with, the app can help you find nearby restaurants, cafes, hotels, gas stations, shopping centers, and other points of interest.

To explore, simply open the app and tap on suggested buttons like “Restaurants,” “Hotels,” or “Attractions.” The results will show a list of places near you, along with details like name, address, opening hours, phone number, menu, food photos, as well as reviews and comments from the user community.

This is especially useful when you’re traveling or working in a new city. Instead of having to search through multiple websites, everything is in one place. Plus, you can use filters to find the place that best suits your needs, such as price, reviews, or vegetarian restaurants.

Google Maps also allows you to book directly from a number of partner restaurants and hotels, saving you time and ensuring your trip goes smoothly. Previewing photos, menus, and reviews helps you make informed decisions, avoiding the pitfalls of choosing the wrong place to eat.

Another cool feature is the Explore feature. Based on your current location and travel history, Google Maps will suggest highly rated places near you that you may not have known about, even if you are in a familiar city. This opens up opportunities to experience new things that you may miss in your daily life.

1.5. Set reminders right from Google Maps

Google Maps not only keeps you on track, it also keeps you on time. Set a departure reminder so you can make sure you're never late for an important appointment.

It's also very simple to do. Open the app, search for the place you want to go, tap Directions, then tap the three-dot icon next to your starting point and select Set a departure reminder. You can set the time you want to leave or the time you want to arrive, Google Maps will automatically calculate the travel time based on traffic conditions and send you a reminder at the right time.

This feature is extremely useful for people with busy schedules. For example, you have a flight at 9am. Instead of having to estimate the travel time, you can simply set a reminder in Google Maps and the app will tell you when to leave so you can get to the airport on time. If there is traffic congestion, the app will also update the time and notify you in advance so you can adjust your plans.

Additionally, integrating reminders directly into Google Maps helps sync with other apps like Google Calendar, creating a mutually supportive ecosystem of utilities that help you manage your time more effectively.

2. Google Maps: An indispensable application in modern life

Google has developed an extremely powerful ecosystem of products and services, from YouTube, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos to Google Lens. Among them, Google Maps still holds an important place in the daily lives of billions of users around the world.

More than just a navigation tool, Google Maps offers a variety of support features, from remembering parking locations, saving travel routes, viewing past photos, discovering new locations, to setting smart reminders. Understanding and utilizing these features will help you maximize the app’s potential, making your daily trips more convenient, enjoyable, and efficient.

In the digital age, when travel and connectivity are more important than ever, Google Maps is an indispensable companion, whether you are a frequent traveler, business traveler, or simply a city dweller who wants to explore new things right around you.

3. Conclusion

Google Maps has been and continues to evolve to provide a more comprehensive user experience. These seemingly small features solve very real problems in life. Take the time to learn and explore to see that Google Maps is not just a navigation application but a smart tool that supports you anytime, anywhere.