Google Maps’ new update will let you know exactly what you are looking at better colour schemes.
It has been 15 years since the start of Googe Maps. It has grown a lot in those 15 years. Starting with general directions to getting directions for every vehicle, even walking. From manually typing your destination to just speaking it out on your phone. Or not even doing that. Google maps have evolved a lot.
But in these major changes, some small changes also affect a lot in how the app is functioning. The new update is not so major but it will have a lot of importance. After this new update, everything will have a different colour scheme. The terrain, beaches, roads, fields, mountains and even snowcaps will have different colours.
Google Maps has high-definition satellite imagery for over 98 per cent of the world’s population. With a new colour-mapping algorithmic technique, they plan to turn this imagery into a more comprehensive, vibrant map of an area at a global scale.
Even the water bodies will have a different blue shade for different water bodies.
For the geeks who want to know how this thing actually works. Let’s find out.
Google uses computer vision to identify natural features from satellite imagery, looking specifically at arid, icy, forested, and mountainous regions. Then they analyze these features and assign them a range of colours on the HSV colour model.
For example, a grounded field will have a lighter green shade and the middle of the ocean will have a darker blue shade.
Not only colours but Google is trying to increase the accuracy of street views more. You will be able to see the exact width and shape of a particular street you want to see. You will also be able to see the sidewalks and other important signs on the road.
For now, Google Maps is used in 220 countries and territories with coverage for over 100 million square kilometres of land. The update involving the colours will be available everywhere. No matter you live in a village in Africa or in any metropolitan city.
Talking about the more accurate street view, for now, it is available in London, New York, and San Francisco in the coming months. Google plans to expand to more cities over time.
Such updates keep the users engaged and it also is quite innovative. It is also good to be accurate and Google is trying to reach 100 per cent accuracy around the globe. This will take time definitely but one day soon you would be able to see literally everything through the Google maps with unreal accuracy.