What the Tech: App of the day

CHARLOTTE – Most people know Google Maps as the go-to app for driving directions. It helps you avoid traffic, find the fastest route, and get to your destination without getting lost. But if you have never used it while walking, you may be missing one of its most useful features.

I recently discovered this firsthand during a trip to Cleveland. I was staying in a downtown hotel and had a few hours before my next appointment. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was on my
list of places to visit, but I had no idea how to get there. Instead of asking for directions, I opened Google Maps and switched to walking mode.

Walking mode works much like driving directions. It shows you the best route, step-by-step, but with details tailored for pedestrians. The app takes into account sidewalks, crosswalks, and
pedestrian-friendly streets. On my screen, it laid out the path to the Hall of Fame, including every turn I needed to make along the way.

Then I tried something new: Live View. This feature uses your phone’s camera and augmented reality to place large arrows and street names right on top of what you are seeing in front of you.
Simply hold up your phone and the directions appear over the real world, pointing exactly where you should go.

Live View quickly became my favorite part of the walk. As a voice guided me through downtown, the arrows on the screen kept me on the quickest path. Street names appeared clearly, which
was especially helpful in areas where signs were small or streets were close together.

Google Maps also highlighted restaurants, coffee shops, and attractions I passed along the way. These suggestions can turn a quick walk into an impromptu tour, giving you a chance to
discover local spots you might have missed otherwise. At one point, the app even reminded me to look up from my phone so I could see where I was going.

The Hall of Fame was just under a mile from my hotel, and the route included about a dozen turns. I made it there without a single wrong step. If I had asked for directions from strangers
along the way, I doubt I would have reached the front doors so easily. Whether you are traveling for business or vacation, Google Maps walking directions can
transform your trip. It is more than just a way to get from point A to point B. It can make the journey itself part of the experience.

So the next time you find yourself in a new city, open Google Maps, switch to walking mode, and give Live View a try. You might not only get where you are going faster, but you might also
discover something you were not even looking for.