A look back at Google Maps in 2015

2016 is just around the corner. Before we pop champagne and ring in the New Year, let’s take a look back at the enhancements we’ve made to Google Maps over the past year. From using Google Maps offline to discovering new places with Explore, we’re proud to not only get you from point A to point B quickly and easily, but to also help you explore the world around you with confidence.

Below is a list of the new features you might’ve missed, along with a handy chart showing you where you’ll find them. If you got a new phone this holiday season, now’s the time to give the Google Maps app a go.

2015 Google Maps New Features

1. 2015 is ticking away, but you can take a look back at the places you’ve traveled with Your Timeline.
2. Always know when your favorite stores are open with up-to-date holiday hours and alerts.
3. Whether you’re in a parking garage with no signal or traveling in country with expensive data, search for places, get directions, and turn-by-turn navigation–all offline.
4. Always stay on the fastest route and beat bumper-to-bumper traffic with real-time traffic updates and dynamic re-routing.
5. Never run low on fuel with up-to-date gas prices in search results and on the map.
6. Make quick pit stops without long detours–search for places along your route without leaving navigation mode.
7. Find the best local spots to eat and drink with curated recommendations.
8. Get all your travel options and compare ETAs across driving, walking, biking and transit–all on one screen.
9. Get the scoop on when the lines are shortest and shops least crowded by checking businesses’ most popular times–by day, by hour.
10. Get the lay of the land before you arrive by using Street View thumbnail.
11. Never miss a bus or train with real-time transit information (schedules, fares, updates) in more than 18,000 cities across 64 countries.
12. Get directions, turn-by-turn navigation and real-time traffic updates from your wrist with the Google Maps app on Android Wear and Apple Watch.

To see these new features in action, take a look back at our Maps Minutes Holiday Hacks series.

2015 New Features by iOS and Android Availability

Feature	Android	iOS
Up-to-Date Holiday Business Hours and Warnings	X	X
Location Search and Turn-by-Turn Navigation While Offline	X	X
A Look Back at the Places You’ve Visited through “Your Timeline”	X
Real-time Spoken Traffic Alerts	X	X
Gas Prices on Map	X	X
Location Search Without Leaving Navigation Mode	X
Updated “Explore” Experience with New Curated Content	X	X
Compare ETAs on One Screen	X	X
The Most Popular Times to Visit a Business	X	X
Street View Thumbnails	X	X
Real-time Traffic View of Your Route	X	X
Directions and Turn-by-Turn Navigation on Wearables	X (Android Wear)	X (Apple Watch)

Join us in a virtual toast to a New Year of helping you explore and navigate your far away travels as well as your everyday life.

Posted by the Google Maps team