Since last week Google has been rolling out the latest version of Google Maps which brings a handful of improvements and new features. Though it appears that the final build has a feature that was previously not announced and not even included in the official changelog. Many users have reported that they now see a new “Explore Nearby” tool in Google Maps after it is updated to the latest version. As the name suggests this feature aims to make it easier for users to find places of interest around their location.
A Nearby feature has been present on Maps for quite some time now. It can be used by tapping on “Explore Nearby” in the search interface. The feature allows users to choose what type of establishment they want to search nearby, such as food, drink, etc, and get relevant results.
The enhanced feature gets its own button on the bottom right on the map. It still allows users to pick from various categories but Explore Nearby now includes more focused groups and also displays points of interest. A drop down menu allows users to select the appropriate time of day to get relevant suggestions.
It looks like this feature is here to stay since there have been countless reports from Google Maps users who have spotted it ever since the app was updated on their devices. Its just one of the ways Google is tapping into its search power to make it easier for users to find places that they might like.
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