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Google Maps now offers Walking Directions
Well, isn’t this pretty nifty?! You can complain all you want about elevated gas prices, but the facts remain. You can whine until the cows come home, but none of your woes will change the price of fuel. It’s time to stop complaining and start taking action. Driving less and walking more is a way to not only save some money, but a fine way to save the environment and get some exercise as well.
And wouldn’t you know it? Google has added a cool new feature onto their direction mapping service. Just like when you get directions by car, you enter your place of origin and your destination, but once you hit submit and get the automobile results, you’ll see a “Walking” option on the upper left pane, next to the “For car” option.
Now as Google usually does with new services, the Walking directions option is still in beta, but while taking it for a test-run, the infrastructure and delivery seemed pretty tight. The service lists the itenary pretty much like its car companion, though cutting out the unsafe walking roads. We don’t want to be walking through any freeways.
All in all, Google has made a pretty cool addition to their family of tools and services. The walking directions will surely inspire some people to let the car sit for awhile as they go for their new found walking treks. If you want to give the service a test run for yourself, just head over to Google Maps.
Join 7 Comments
AndrewD Says: July 23, 2008 at 5:17 pm
@nobrainerdeals: I can definitly see people using it in major cities. Saving some money on public transportation and just walking it out. Also the high gas prices are all the inspiration many people need.
C Says: July 23, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Yeah that rocks. Let me experiment with a few routes to work (without being late) through the wee maze of streets and see how the distance and everything. Top marks.
nobrainerdeals Says: July 23, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Yea I guess since I dont live in a high density city I wouldnt use it.
Danielle Says: July 23, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I agree it’s a nifty tool, and have been using it for years on whereis.com, the Australian mapping website. All you have to do is select ‘Travel by Foot’ when you’re getting a directions search. It uses walking and bike trails to calculate the route!
Latest bunch of gadget thumbnails » Coolest Gadgets Says: July 24, 2008 at 3:47 am
[...] Google Maps now offers Walking Directions [...]
Eco-Friendly Gadgets Says: July 25, 2008 at 2:06 am
At last, this has been a long time coming. I wonder if they’ll put in obvious landmarks so you can tell if you’re going in the right direction or not?
nobrainerdeals Says: July 23, 2008 at 4:01 pm
would you really use that walk feature??? I think it is nice but cant imagine anybody using it.