Google has been making modifications to its mobile-based Google Maps feature with regular updates, offering a host of options for users. Nonetheless, the company hasn’t forgotten about the desktop version of the feature and now, per reports, Google has announced the introduction of indoor maps support for the desktop version of the Maps.
This inclusion for the desktop version is a new one after the same was introduced nearly a year back for the Android platform. At that time, the feature was introduced for Android 6.0 and added indoor maps of select airports, malls, and retail stores in the U.S. and Japan. Highlights of the initial list included the Mall of America, Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports, San Francisco International, and various Macy's, Bloomingdale's, IKEA, and Home Depot locations.
Currently, with the new update for the desktop version, Google has brought the indoor floor plans to life on the Maps with about 10,000 locations worldwide, including 49 U.S. malls and 22 U.S. airports, as well as many locations in the UK, Europe, and Japan.
“The indoor floor plans that you’ve been using on Google Maps for Android to figure out where you are and what’s around you within many popular indoor locations are now available on Google Maps for your desktop,” the official Google Plus page for Maps states. “Before heading home for the holidays or out to shop on Black Friday, check out indoor maps of the airport or shopping mall on your desktop to better plan your trip. Simply zoom in on a building on Google Maps and you’ll automatically see a detailed floor plan with helpful labels for gates at the airport, stores within the mall, departments within a retail shop, as well as ATMs, restrooms and more.”
This development is a major step forward from the company and because Google has such a huge mapping community, users can expect the number of floor plans to keep growing, with more locations set to be added overtime. Moreover, Google is also urging venue owners to upload their own floor plans.
A few problems will persist with the new feature, and per a reprt from The Verge “it looks like Canada is a little behind — the West Edmonton Mall seems to be the only structure north of the border on Google's current list. That won't be the case for long, though.”
More improvements on the indoor floor planning is expected to arrive in the coming months.
