It was only yesterday that a major update (offline navigation) came out of the confines of Google Maps. Post that, Google Maps is turning its focus from consumers to the developers by providing the latter with a more appealing mapping platform.
Google Maps, till now, has allowed users search for duration of travel to their preferred destination. This feature will now be available to developers through an API starting today. Google believes that by launching this feature to developers the apps they develop could be more sturdy.
Predictive travel time uses historical time-of-day and day-of-week traffic data to estimate travel times at a future date. This makes it easier than ever to predict how long it will take to get somewhere and suggest the best route even when the departure time is far in the future.
Developers will be able to play around with the predictive travel time feature to design the way it functions and shows information. Developers can also develop a ground plan for the way this feature calculates the travel time in order to make it more optimal and precise.
Google has launched the Predictive travel feature only to those developers who sign up for the “Standard Plan” for Google Maps APIs.
Initially, the search giant has tied up with full service real estate brokerage platform Redfin, to promote the API among developer community and educate other companies about the features of the API. Each business can develop the feature according to their needs and demands, added Google.
For the businesses though, the Predictive travel time is accessible only after signing up for the standard or premium plans.
Google Maps has received two back to back updates in less than 24 hours. Yesterday, Google made a major announcement by making Google Maps accessible even in the offline mode.
Though some features are limited in the offline mode – like the public transport and walking directions – it comes as a relief to Maps users all over the world who had to deal with sudden loss of functionality when they moved to an area with no connectivity.
