September 21, 2023

ABC News: Google sued for negligence after man drove off collapsed bridge while following map directions

ABC News: Google sued for negligence after man drove off collapsed bridge while following map directions. “Philip Paxson, a medical device salesman and father of two, drowned Sept. 30, 2022, after his Jeep Gladiator plunged into Snow Creek in Hickory, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Wake County Superior Court. Paxson was driving home from his daughter’s ninth birthday party through an unfamiliar neighborhood when Google Maps allegedly directed him to cross a bridge that had collapsed nine years prior and was never repaired.”

Security & Legal Issues 0
August 31, 2023

CNBC: Google to begin selling maps data to companies building solar products, hopes to generate $100 million in first year

CNBC: Google to begin selling maps data to companies building solar products, hopes to generate $100 million in first year. “Google is planning to license new sets of mapping data to a range of companies to use as they build products around renewable energy, and is hoping to generate up to $100 million in its first year, CNBC has learned. The company plans to sell access to new APIs (application programming interfaces) with solar and energy information and air quality, according to materials viewed by CNBC.”

Around the Search & Social Media World 0
August 18, 2023

Chek News: Langford asks Google to stop redirecting traffic down Finlayson Arm Road

Chek News: Langford asks Google to stop redirecting traffic down Finlayson Arm Road. “The City of Langford is pleading with Google to stop directing vehicles down the small, winding Finlayson Arm Road when traffic gets busy. The issue seems to arise when traffic backs up along the Trans-Canada Highway heading into Goldstream Park, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays.”

Around the Search & Social Media World 0
August 13, 2023

Google Maps is an eyesore, part two: 5 more examples of how the app has lost its way (Fast Company)

Fast Company: Google Maps is an eyesore, part two: 5 more examples of how the app has lost its way. “Last week I wrote a piece highlighting how Google Maps has become a bit of an eyesore in recent years. While Google Maps’ data on businesses and other points of interest is second to none, using the map to navigate has become a challenge, mainly due to excess visual clutter. Since the story ran, others have chimed in about their gripes regarding Google Maps, particularly as navigation and map browsing is concerned. With that in mind, I’ve rounded up some of the most frequent complaints Google Maps users have. These are the top five.”

Research & Opinion 0
August 8, 2023

WCVB: Boston City Hall Plaza Playground’s ‘Cop Slide’ now appears on Google Maps

WCVB: Boston City Hall Plaza Playground’s ‘Cop Slide’ now appears on Google Maps. “‘Cop slide’ appears to be sticking as the unofficial name for the massive slide at Boston’s City Hall Plaza playground. The attraction, which earned its nickname for the viral video of a Boston police officer taking a ride that became a tumble, now appears on Google Maps.”

Around the Search & Social Media World 0
August 7, 2023

Cabin Radio: Google and Apple aren’t sure if the highway’s open, either

Cabin Radio: Google and Apple aren’t sure if the highway’s open, either. “Head spinning from the number of recent NWT highway closures brought on by nearby wildfires? You aren’t alone. Major tech companies seem to be struggling to stay on top of the situation, too. Early on Saturday, several Yellowknife residents reported an inability to plan any Google Maps route to or from Yellowknife involving Highway 3.”

Around the Search & Social Media World 0
August 2, 2023

Plymouth Herald: Woman baffled after Google Maps copy and pastes Torpoint ferry on aerial view

Plymouth Herald: Woman baffled after Google Maps copy and pastes Torpoint ferry on aerial view. “A Google Maps glitch means the Torpoint Ferry, of which there are three in total, has been ‘copy and pasted’. The image appears to show one of the ferries twice, as it has exactly the same amount of cars on, all in the same positions, and of the same models and colours.”

Around the Search & Social Media World 0
July 31, 2023

WHO13: Google glitch burns Urbandale business at worst-possible time

WHO13: Google glitch burns Urbandale business at worst-possible time. “Google is now the business lifeline. Without it, Lenz is only doing about ten jobs a day, and that’s only because this business, one that usually takes calls, is now making them. ‘The gals in the office are calling out, reaching out to friends, using Facebook,’ he said. Lenz said he’s losing $30,000 to $40,000 a day. But what’s worse are his fears that he’s losing his customers’ trust.”

Around the Search & Social Media World 0
July 28, 2023

TechCrunch: Meta, Microsoft and Amazon release open map dataset to rival Google Maps, Apple Maps

TechCrunch: Meta, Microsoft and Amazon release open map dataset to rival Google Maps, Apple Maps. “A group formed by Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and mapping company TomTom is releasing data that could enable developers to build their own maps to take on Google Map and Apple Maps. The group, called the Overture Maps Foundation, was formed last year. Today, the group has released it first open map dataset.”

New Resources 0
July 25, 2023

The Verge: People are using Google Maps to cut down tailpipe pollution

The Verge: People are using Google Maps to cut down tailpipe pollution. “Drivers are taking Google Maps’ advice for how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their trips, according to the company. In late 2021, Google debuted a feature in Google Maps that allows users to see the most fuel-efficient routes. The feature has since helped prevent around 1.2 million metric tons of planet-heating carbon dioxide emissions, Google estimates in its latest environmental report released today.”

Research & Opinion 0
July 14, 2023

Ars Technica: Apple introduces offline Maps—but how does it compare with Google Maps?

Ars Technica: Apple introduces offline Maps—but how does it compare with Google Maps?. “Apple Maps has seen a significant comeback story since it first debuted to near-universal panning in 2012, but anyone who has also used Google Maps can even now name a bunch of handy features that Apple Maps just can’t do yet. When iOS 17 releases this fall, though, one of those gaps will get covered. Apple will introduce downloadable maps—a vital feature for many users and one that Google has offered for years.”

Tweaks & Updates 0
July 4, 2023

KPEL: I-10 Westbound Open Over Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, Despite Google Maps Saying Otherwise

KPEL: I-10 Westbound Open Over Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, Despite Google Maps Saying Otherwise. “According to Google Maps, I-10 westbound is closed at the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge until July 13. One Lafayette family, traveling home from Baton Rouge, told KPEL News that other travel apps on their phone said no such thing. It’s just Google Maps.”

Around the Search & Social Media World 0
June 23, 2023

KMPH: Google Maps strands families in mud near Corcoran

KMPH: Google Maps strands families in mud near Corcoran. “A couple of families got stuck in the mud and are in need of rescue after they say Google Maps took them on a strange route Saturday night. One family said they were coming home to Porterville from a Pismo trip when Google Maps led them on a route near the Corcoran Prison. Their car then became stuck in the mud along with two other cars on Avenue 88 west of Highway 43.”

Around the Search & Social Media World 0

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