XDA Developers: Google Maps tests a new alert for when your taxi goes off route. “These new off-route alerts in Google Maps will send an alert to your phone every time you get sidetracked from the intended course by 500 meters. Besides ensuring your safety, the feature should also help you avoid being tricked by a cab driver while traveling to an unfamiliar part of the city.” That happened to me in Boston once many years ago — I got absolutely hosed. I still love Boston anyway. Do not love that cab driver.
Google Maps
Business Insider: 9 incredibly useful Google Maps features everyone should know about
Business Insider: 9 incredibly useful Google Maps features everyone should know about. “Google Maps has become so pervasive and useful since its launch in 2005 that it’s almost impossible to remember how we got around without it. From seeing how long it takes to get from point A to point B, to scouting out restaurants and points of interest, it’s an invaluable resource for navigating neighbourhoods both familiar and new.”
Yahoo Finance: Google Maps now highlights photos of restaurants’ most popular dishes
Yahoo Finance: Google Maps now highlights photos of restaurants’ most popular dishes. “Google Maps has long since shown crowdsourced photos of the dishes at listed restaurants, but a new tab will flag up the most popular choices with photos to match. As spotted by Taylor Wimberley on Twitter and confirmed by several other users, the update adds a new tab to the Menu page on a restaurant’s Maps listing called Popular Dishes.”
AM Online: Google Maps launches real-time EV charge point search function
AM Online: Google Maps launches real-time EV charge point search function. “Google Maps has launched a new function which delivers real-time search results detailing electric vehicle (EV) charge point availability.”
Search Engine Journal: WP Google Maps Plugin Vulnerable to SQL Injection Exploit
Search Engine Journal: WP Google Maps Plugin Vulnerable to SQL Injection Exploit. “A high priority update was issued by WP Google Maps WordPress plugin to fix a vulnerability. The plugin could allow a malicious hacker to take control of a website. It is highly recommended that users of this plugin update to the latest version. Failure to do so may expose your site to a SQL Injection attack.”
Google Blog: Sssnakes on a map
Google Blog: Sssnakes on a map. “Google Maps shows you how to get around on foot, car, train and bicycle, and now, you can ssslither to your destination too. Starting today, you can play a twist on the snake game in different locations across the world—including Cairo, London, San Francisco, São Paulo, Sydney and Tokyo–right from Google Maps. To start playing, simply open the Google Maps app, tap on the menu icon on the top left corner, then select ‘Play Snake’ to get your daily dose of 90s nostalgia (boy bands, fanny packs and slap bracelets not included).” I played this on the standalone site to confirm that yes, it does exist.
Search Engine Land: The majority of listings for car accident attorneys on Google are fake
Search Engine Land: The majority of listings for car accident attorneys on Google are fake. “If you work with attorneys, you may have noticed recently that there is a massive amount of spam that seems to be growing like weeds in Google’s local results. Let me explain what I mean. This was a search done earlier this week in a prominent zip code in Manhattan, New York. All three of these listings in the three-pack are fake.”
