Google launches offline Maps with directions!!!

Google has introduced an enhanced version of the smartphone app which helps in finding directions on Google Maps with bad internet connectivity. The offline version would allow users to access directions while passing through regions with spotty internet.

The launch of offline Maps in India comes just days after Google officially introduced the feature on Android. While offline Maps were available previously on the app, features including offline navigation and search features are some of the additions. Another notable feature is the information about specific locations such as hours of operation, contact information, as well as ratings which will also be accessible offline.

For using an offline map, users will need to download the map of an area on the device, and it will continue to work when there’s no connectivity. Once an area has been saved for offline access, users can also enable turn-by-turn driving directions as well as search for specific destinations even when there is no Internet connection.The company explains that when a connection is found, Maps will switch to online automatically and will allow users to access the full version of the app such as live traffic conditions for the current route. It’s worth noting that Google Maps will only download offline areas on the device when on a Wi-Fi connection.

In December 2014, the company  begun providing users the ability to watch videos on its YouTube app even when they were not online. Further, once downloaded, users would be able to watch a video multiple times on their devices.