What is Google maps for?

[roblox84]

I have Google maps disabled on all my Android devices because rumor is that it uses more battery power. What exactly is Google maps for?

I first thought it was used for navigation, but my navigation works fine with it disabled. I can still also get maps and directions just fine through the chrome browser so i am kind of confused about what's it for and why does it use more battery? Thanks.

 

[friedtators]

i think you have been told wrong. google maps is the best map software. google navigation uses google maps. both are the best on the planet. everything useful uses services and that shows up in the battery usage. maps does nothing unless you are using maps or location services or google navigation.

 

[roblox84]

i think you have been told wrong. google maps is the best map software. google navigation uses google maps. both are the best on the planet. everything useful uses services and that shows up in the battery usage. maps does nothing unless you are using maps or location services or google navigation.

But the thing is, my Google navigation still works with Google maps disabled. At least that's what it shows in settings. But maybe the navigation app reactivates it and once I exit Google maps gets disabled again?

 

[asus_usa]

I have Google maps disabled on all my Android devices because rumor is that it uses more battery power. What exactly is Google maps for?

I first thought it was used for navigation, but my navigation works fine with it disabled. I can still also get maps and directions just fine through the chrome browser so i am kind of confused about what's it for and why does it use more battery? Thanks.

I'm a little old school. I enjoy looking at, and planning my route by looking at the map. Google Maps is, hands down, the best map software that I have ever used. Some people choose not to use it, especially if they already have a dedicated navigation app, but it's pretty accurate and fast, in my opinion.

 

[friedtators]

It keeps getting better all the time.

I'm a little old school. I enjoy looking at, and planning my route by looking at the map. Google Maps is, hands down, the best map software that I have ever used. Some people choose not to use it, especially if they already have a dedicated navigation app, but it's pretty accurate and fast, in my opinion.

 

[B. Diddy]

Google Maps will contribute to battery drain if you leave Location Reporting on, which makes the app partially wake up the tablet many times a day to check your location and report it, primarily for use with Google Latitude. If you don't use Latitude (and I don't know anyone who does), you can turn it off by opening Maps, hitting the menu button, selecting Settings/Location Settings, and turning Location Reporting off. As far as I can tell, it doesn't impact any other location-based function like Google Now. When I turned off Location Reporting, I found a significant improvement in battery life.

 

[RenoD2010]

I'm not sure but I don't think you can use Streets View (effectively) in Nav like you can in maps. Also think of maps more like an atlas (though I guess that is was what Google Earth is for) .

Nav is really about getting from point A to point B and about where you are. I tend to open maps when I am trying to elaborate on the description of a location. Perhaps this can also be accomplished in Nav, but I've always used the maps app for it.

Perhaps the best answer to your question can be found in the app's description in the Google Play store.

From my LG Optimus G E970

 

[Diknak]

Google maps is simply awesome. You should enable it again but just make sure location reporting is turned off in the settings.

It is a much better experience when looking for business nearby. You can just type in "Chinese restaurant" and it will pop up relative to your location. You can easily read reviews, use street view to see if it looks alright from the outside, get their phone number, etc. If you are doing that through the web, you are doing it wrong.

 

[roblox84]

Ok I will turn it on and turn off location. Thanks for the help

 

[roblox84]

Google maps is simply awesome. You should enable it again but just make sure location reporting is turned off in the settings.

It is a much better experience when looking for business nearby. You can just type in "Chinese restaurant" and it will pop up relative to your location. You can easily read reviews, use street view to see if it looks alright from the outside, get their phone number, etc. If you are doing that through the web, you are doing it wrong.

I turned off both, Google location service and location & Google search.

 

[B. Diddy]

I would actually leave Google location service on (under the main System Settings/Location Access menu), otherwise your Google searches and Maps won't know where you are at all. If that's what you want, then it's fine, but what I had suggested was to to turn off Location Reporting, which is in the menu for Google Maps (not the System Settings). This will leave intact the ability for Google apps to know where you are so that it can give you accurate maps and search results, but turn off the reporting that's used for Latitude.

 

[roblox84]

I would actually leave Google location service on (under the main System Settings/Location Access menu), otherwise your Google searches and Maps won't know where you are at all. If that's what you want, then it's fine, but what I had suggested was to to turn off Location Reporting, which is in the menu for Google Maps (not the System Settings). This will leave intact the ability for Google apps to know where you are so that it can give you accurate maps and search results, but turn off the reporting that's used for Latitude.

Ok thanks