Waze Takes Real-Life PacMan to Be More Fun Than Google Maps - http://clapway.com/2016/01/21/waze-takes-real-life-pacman-to-beat-google-maps-123/

Waze has grown a lot, much like its user base. The platform went from being a PacMan-like app to being Google Maps’ main competition.

How Waze Started Out

The App first originated thanks to an Israeli map editor, who was struck by the fact that legitimate platforms didn’t yet allow updates on maps. Roads change all the time, sometimes even overnight. The initial concept of the app came from the need for new maps built not by companies – but by people.

In the beginning, Waze was kind of like a game of Pacman, where users would trace paths to get places and draw a collective map. This gave the platform the guarantee of having many roads since different people have different routes to get places. After that, it needed a little more incentive to get people on the road. So they started to add perks, putting things like cupcakes between two points to see what routes drivers took to get there the fastest. This is how the company started to understand traffic.

A Formidable Opponent to Google Maps

The most widely used navigation app is Google Maps, standing above Waze in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Both applications benefit from the massive power of Google, but Waze doesn’t lag too far behind.

The main difference between these apps is that Waze is a product of collective effort. It takes queues from their users, which makes it pretty unique. The app has also been useful to the government in the case of natural disasters. When Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast, Waze was one of the platforms responsible of leading trucks to open gas stations. Since then, the platform can tell users where the nearest gas stations are, their average pricing and reviews.

The Platform Keeps Growing

Waze has been seeing steady growth with time. It hasn’t become stagnant in the least. The platform was actually acquired by Google a few years ago, and it’s still hard at work with keeping maps updated. It’s safe to say that travelling around LA or Texas would not be the same without the power of Waze.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu-uTo_ma9c&index=1&list=PLeqAcoTy5741GXa8rccolGQaj_nVGw76g

Waze Takes Real-Life PacMan to Be More Fun Than Google Maps

Google Maps Makes Waze and Apple Maps Obsolete - http://clapway.com/2016/01/13/google-maps-makes-waze-and-apple-maps-obsolete-123/

Google Maps has gotten an update today, and it renders other applications like Apple Maps and Waze totally obsolete. Introducing: Google Maps Driving Mode.

Driving Mode is The New Siri, But For Driving

Driving Mode actually guesses user’s destinations and helps them navigate there to the best of their ability. The new version of Maps is already available on the Google Play store, but the update won’t be available until the end of the week. That, and it will only be rolling out to Android users.

Driving Mode won’t be available to all users. According to the announcement, the update will only be available in seven countries: the US, UAE, the UK, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Driving Mode Is Restricted to Certain Areas for Now

With a single tap, the update will tell you if you should head out or if you should wait to avoid heavy traffic. The new Driving Mode will get users the quickest way to their destination even without knowing what the destination is. It also provides information like ETAs, traffic updates, gas station locations and pricing, and quickest routes to frequently visited places. This is all from the Android home screen.

For Android users, there are two ways to get to the new feature. They can choose to add a shortcut to their home screen or go directly onto the Google Maps app. Google Maps will slowly replace the need for even the most expensive and sophisticated GPS systems. The system will be able to calculate just how long it’ll take to get anywhere according to the time of day and location, and keep a log of your frequent destinations.

Google Maps is A Lot Smarter than Waze and Apple Maps

Google is making Google Maps extra smart. It is now able to use your destination history, your current location and the time to get to your final destination to predict where you want to go in the future and how you will want to get there. Now there’s the cybernetic chauffer we’ve always wanted. We could even see this software and this algorithm in action on the Google self-driving car, and then things will really be moving up. Waze and Apple Maps have no way of catching up to this bad boy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwCrjfmCgO0

 

Google Maps Makes Waze and Apple Maps Obsolete

18 Tech Essentials For Your Next Road Trip - http://clapway.com/2015/12/29/18-tech-essentials-next-road-trip/

The year is coming to an end and New Year’s Resolutions are coming quickly. Chances are one of your resolutions is going to be to travel more. It’s likely due to the fact that traveling brings something out of us and enriches our lives in ways most of us can’t truly explain until we’ve had our own adventures. If you pursue any of your resolutions in 2016, then traveling more should most definitely be one of them.

And if you’re feeling really adventurous, then an all-American road trip should be one way to do it. One guy figured out how to have the best road trip ever that includes 20 destinations across the states from San Francisco to Newport and many in between. However, there are plenty of routes to take to make this dream a reality on the road.

One you’ve done your research, planned your track, and packed your bags, there are just a few tech gadgets you should include that could be game changers on your road trip. Some are just helpful add-ons, while others could make or break the endless days riding shotgun or in the driver’s seat. Take a peek at the 18 products or services you should have on hand before you get on the road:

A Portable Charger

You never know when you’re going to need your phone, and chances all it’ll die when you need it most. Have one of these just in case.

A Car Charger

Navigating the roads and using entertainment on your phone will run the battery, so make sure you’re always fully charged with one of these.

An Auxiliary Cord

Unless you have a Bluetooth car set up, you’ll want one of these so you don’t have to rely on inconsistent radio stations and the Top 40.

A Spotify Playlist

There are plenty of amazing playlists already created for this occasion. Save a few to have ready for when you just want to sit back and drive (or sing)!

Audible Books

Thousands of miles may call for more than music, conversation, and trivia. Have a few solid books already downloaded in your Audible app and catch up on your reading list.

Gas Buddy Mobile App

You’ll be shocked at how much money you could save on gas – and you’re going to be using a ton of it.

Google Maps

This is a no-brainer. Make sure you’ve downloaded this to your phone.

Roadtrippers Mobile App

A few people swear by this app, but I personally think it’s just an easy add-on to use occasionally if at all. Spontaneity is my personal tip.

A Gas Card

Spending an insane amount on gas can also lead to an insane amount in gas points. Trust me, it’ll definitely add up.

A Phone Stand For Your Dashboard

Go hands free with one of these babies.

A Breathalyzer

After a long day’s drive, you’ll likely want to relax with a local cold brew, but you should always be safe ad make sure you’re sober enough to continue the trek.

A Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot

There will be minimal Wi-Fi once you’re out on the open road, but you can bring your own Wi-Fi with you when you need it.

A Steering Wheel Tray

This can come in handy when you’re eating, making notes, drawing on a map, or anything really. Not tech, but useful.

A Car Air Purifier

This might not be a game changer but it would surely be nice to have (especially towards the end of your trip).

A GoPro

While you’ll likely use this more when you’re not just driving down hundreds of bland miles, it’s good to have on hand in case something crazy happens on the road out of the blue.

Roadside Assistance

Make sure your car insurance is up to date, and especially one with roadside assistance. This way, with just one phone call (on your fully charged phone) you’d have help in no time.

A Radar Detector

Use this not to cheat the system, but to drive safely overall. The detector can help you manage your speed even without a cop nearby.

A Portable Espresso Machine

Now this baby is game changer. No need to get coffee at the questionable gas station anymore! Brew your own with this set.

And maybe one of these fantastic future gadgets will be available in time for you to add to the list (especially the digital Bat Man decal). For the meantime, having a few of those items will really make the trip less stressful when you’re out on the open road.

“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.”— Jack Kerouac, On the Road

18 Tech Essentials For Your Next Road Trip

Google Maps Rolls Out a Feature Waze Has Had Since 2012 - http://clapway.com/2015/12/15/google-maps-rolls-out-a-feature-waze-has-had-since-2012-123/

Google Maps for iOS was updated today, finally incorporating the offline maps feature that rolled out to Android a whole month ago. Though users will still need the Internet for subway or train routes and walking or biking directions, they can now get turn by turn navigation, business hours and contact details on saved maps offline. Not only that, but Google Maps now offers gas price options directly on the app.

Google Maps Monopolizes Phone Storage

A major setback of this new feature, for both Android and iOS, is that saving offline maps takes quite a bit of space. Downloading offline maps from New York City, for example, can take up to 300MB of space, so people should be very mindful of what they decide to save. On the plus side, any downloaded maps expire after a month automatically. Any forgetful users won’t have to worry too much.

New Maps Update Introduces Gas Prices

The new iOS Google Maps update also incorporates gas prices into the platform. Users can now view where gas stations are located and how much they sell gallons for. This is also a feature that had been on the Android app for a while. Google Maps iOS users, when looking at local businesses, will not be able to see when the establishments are at their busiest throughout the week or on any given day.

Waze Had a Similar Update Roll Out… in 2012

Another popular GPS application also saw a similar update a few years ago. In May of 2012, Waze introduced a feature that let users see real-time as prices and fuel discounts. This has since then has allowed users to search around for fuel within the category menu, with real-time prices. The map also provides gas station locations along users’ routes to avoid them having to stray from their path to get refueled.

Waze is Undoubtedly the Best Social GPS Out There

Since Waze is a very user-driven app, users were even able to report/adjust gas prices and deals so other people can make use of them, which earns them Wazer points and helps them ascend status. This is the Social GPS side of Waze at its best. Waze even partnered with gas pump companies like Kum & Go, Hess, BP, Exxon, ConocoPhillips, and Shell, to offer in-app discounts on gas. This gave users special codes that can be put on any gas station register to get a discount. This update rolled out to California at first, then following to the rest of the country.

What Took Google Maps So Long?

The gap between the Waze Update and the Google Maps for iOS and Android is very wide. When considering what may have taken Google so long to release this kind of update, it could be simply because of scale and optimization. Waze, being a significantly smaller company, had the ability to test out the app in a control area (California). Google rolled out its update everywhere the app is available, and it probably spent quite a bit of time optimizing the feature.

Google Takes Time, and It’s Always Worth It

Google doesn’t do anything in halves. The company usually goes all out to make sure that new features are perfect, or closest to. Bug fixes usually roll out quite quickly, so Google was likely taking in the vein of what Waze accomplished it and bringing it to a much bigger scale. In the end, they bring the classic and functional feel of Google Maps to their faithful users. While this may or may not have been three years in the making, it will make the lives of countless people a lot easier, especially with the holidays right around the corner. Christmas shopping frenzies are already happening all over the world, and the busy time monitor feature will be of help to a lot of people. This does leave people to wonder what other updates Google has spent a few months or years working on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtXFWU4r9FQ

Google Maps Rolls Out a Feature Waze Has Had Since 2012

A Tricky Promotion by Google Drive - http://clapway.com/2015/11/16/free-storage-a-tricky-promotion-by-google-drive123/

Google Gives Users the Opportunity to Expand Google Drive Storage Through Local Guides

Google is offering an astounding 1TB of Google Drive storage space to hype up Google Maps’ Local Guides features and compete with Foursquare and Yelp. This storage space will allow users to get early access to new Google products. Like Yelp and Foursquare, users will earn points for contribution, and the more points users earn, the bigger the benefits.

Google Drive Offers 1TB for $9.99 Per Month

According to Google, the rewards system will be separated into five levels. Level 1 users, with 0-4 points can enter exclusive contests in select countries for new Google devices; Level 2 users with 5-49 points will receive early access to upcoming Google users and features; Level 3 users with 50-199 points will show up in the Google Maps app with an official Local Guides badge; Level 4 clients with 200-499 points will be able to receive a free 1TB upgrade of Google Drive storage; and finally, Level 5 users will have access to the very top of Local Guides and will be able to apply to go to Google’s inaugural summit in 2016 and meet and greet other Top Guides, explore the Google grounds and get the latest scope on Google Maps.

Google Drive ‘Free’ Storage: A Tricky but Addictive Strategy

Platforms like Yelp have implemented this strategy, where users are able to earn points by the rate and number of reviews they submit. If this feature becomes a trend, it will surely catch on and attract a plethora of users, if only for the opportunity to widen their Google Drive storage capacity and attend Google’s summit in 2016.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puDNfWfILl4

A Tricky Promotion by Google Drive

Google Maps Releases Offline Navigation - http://clapway.com/2015/11/10/google-maps-releases-offline-navigation123/

Google Maps navigation is now available for offline navigation, but only on Android. After Google made their initial announcement to make Google Maps usable while outside a network zone, the feature is finally available to Android users.

Google Maps ‘Offline Access’

The way that Google Maps offline navigation will work is that, by saving a certain address, users can opt for downloading it. This will save the fastest route to the address and the navigation will work just as it does when online: it allows users to make searches, gives turn-by-turn directions and view points of interest. It’s only lacking live traffic feeds.

Google Maps Offline maps can be easily managed through the update to the app via ‘Offline Access’. In the past, Google Maps had very poor offline performance, but the company announced it would gradually upgrade and release these little fixes to optimize user experience.

Google Maps Offline Navigation Feature for the iOS

This development will likely spur updates on other competing navigation apps, including iOS Maps and Waze, so soon enough the companies will release statements as they try to catch up to Google Maps. According to Google’s official blog, the company plans on revealing the offline navigation feature for the iOS counterpart of Google Maps very soon.

Google Maps Releases Offline Navigation

New Google Maps Voice Alerts Are Annoying - http://clapway.com/2015/11/06/google-maps-voice-alerts-are-annoying123/

As if we needed one more distraction on the roads, Google Maps voice alerts for iOS are too loud and too annoying. We saw it with Waze and now it’s on Google Maps, but this one even gives a spoken summary of upcoming traffic. When will it end?

The new Google Maps voice alerts for iOS lets readers know what’s happening on the roads, and allows them to choose between different routes before going into an area with heavy traffic. This is great news for Uber drivers, since you’re in the back and probably jamming to the latest Taylor Swift, but it’s annoying to people actually behind the wheel and know what they’re doing. Like Waze, Google Maps voice alerts can now alert of minor crashes, traffic congestions and a delay estimate; routes can even be changed before you turn the car on. Talk about control freak.

This feature, which was already on Android, has reached the rest of the population. Except for the fact that it’s useful for morning commutes and metropolitan city traffic, Google Maps’ new traffic alerts are annoying, and best kept off if you’re going on a drive to relax. There’s also the risk that, like Waze, Google Maps will take you through roads with no traffic lights, which is useless because the time that you’d have spent at a light is the same amount of time you’ll spend sitting to gather enough courage to cross between the fast moving cars ahead of you.

 

New Google Maps Voice Alerts Are Annoying

Google Maps v9.13: Closing In On The Perfect GPS - #android #googlemaps #gps http://clapway.com/2015/08/24/google-maps-v9-13-gps123/

When Google Maps first debuted, the GPS world was dominated by $99+ TomToms. Having instant access to turn-by-turn directions via your phone was a godsend, but it had this bad habit of telling you to go down one-way turns when you weren’t supposed to. Today, Google Maps is pretty much all most people need in a GPS device, and the update to version 9.13 is another step towards the continuous progression of the perfect GPS device.

Google Maps: Version 9.13

The newest update to Google Maps is version 9.13, which brings a lot of business related changes, along with normal bug fixes. One of the best new features is the app’s ability to present users with a Street View thumbnail of their exact location. Unfortunately, there are times when the restaurant or store you’re looking for might be too new to be found on Google Maps. Now, Google is letting users contribute to the community by putting the control into the hands of the its users.

Updating Businesses

Now there is a shortcut placed directly in the sidebar that allows users to add missing information about restaurants, stores, coffee shops, or anything else; plus you can even add a business that isn’t listed on Google Maps.

Stay up-to-date with Google news here!

When you pull the sidebar out, you’ll see an option to add a missing business. From here, you’ll see a quick form that asks for basic information like the name, the address, category, phone, website, hours, and any other information that you would typically see in a business listing on Google.

The guys over at Android Police noticed that some v9.12 users have noticed the “Add a missing business” option on their phones, so the change may actually have happened server-side at the same time of the update.

Play Test Sound

The last new feature is more of a safety feature than anything else. Going back through the options menu, you can find an option to “Play test sound.” The feature is aptly named because it only exists to allow you to check the turn-by-turn volume before you find yourself fiddling with Google Maps while you’re driving 80 mph down the highway.

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Musio, the artificially intelligent robot, can also tell you directions. When did technology become so capable?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTuL0nLmBw8

Google Maps v9.13: Closing In On The Perfect GPS

Foodies Can Now Post Photos on Google Maps #food #foodie #googlemaps - http://clapway.com/2015/08/24/foodies-can-now-post-photos-on-google-maps123/

With a recently released update, Google Maps is adding another feature specifically geared towards foodies to allow them to post photos of their meals at restaurants with two quick taps. However, the feature is only available for Level 3 Local Guides, meaning if you want to post your food porn pics, you must be an active contributor to the rapidly expanding Google Maps.

An Ocean of Projects… What’s Else is In The Works at Google Maps?

Google Maps Allows Foodies to Post Photos Now

Google Maps is more than just a navigation app. The name Google Maps itself has become synonymous for finding both directions and a new restaurant. The treasure trove of features has expanded over the years to include restaurant reviews, booking reservations, avoiding traffic, and even seeing satellite images of any place in the world.

Night Time is the Right Time for this Google Maps Feature

But Google hasn’t stopped adding to the mix as it has now unveiled a new feature that allows people to snap pictures of their breakfast, lunch, and dinner and post it directly to the map. It’s a visual review of the restaurant rather than the written review, which we usually just skim. Besides, most of us end up just counting how many stars the place received. The feature comes much to the satisfaction of foodies everywhere who still mourn the loss of Google’s Tablescape, an experiment that allowed, well, pretty much the same thing. It appears Tablescape has led to something bigger and more integrated into Google services.

Only Local Guides at Level 3 or Above Can Snap Food Pics to Google Maps

If you want to be involved in having a lunchtime photoshoot of your most-beloved diner’s pastrami on rye or the delicious vegetable curry from your favorite hole-in-the-wall, you must meet some criteria first.

That’s right! Google doesn’t want just any person to post potentially scrumptious pictures of food porn. They want only connoisseurs of food to participate–at least for now.

So far, only Local Guides at Level 3 or above have access to this food photo feature. These lucky Level 3 guides have posted at least 50 reviews after signing up as a Local Guide, which probably does qualify them as knowing what is worthy and unworthy of being digitally captured and presented to the world via Google Maps.

Google Maps Not Just For Navigation as Foodographs Become a Thing Again

Google Maps likes to save us time. We can travel the world with Art Project, peeking into famous landmarks without flying out of our living room. We can also avoid the long stretches of traffic thanks to live updates, but it is now making it easier to quickly post our food pictures.

When the logged-in Local Guide takes a snapshot, an alert will notify them, asking if the picture should be posted onto the Maps food photos. With two clicks, the foodograph is added to the Maps without any inconvenience to the user, yet with much valuable information provided for everyone else using Google Maps.

Picture Credits to Pixabay

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Wake up to the stimulating odors of the Sensorwake:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyhBhu7aq5U

Foodies Can Now Post Photos on Google Maps

Google Maps Has a New Night Mode Option - http://clapway.com/2015/08/08/google-maps-night-mode-101/

A new update to the Google Maps iOS application is promising to make it easier to navigate around when it is dark outside that potentially reduced the risks associated with using the application when users are behind the wheel. In this latest release, the app is introducing a feature called “Night Mode” which gives you a darker display in comparison to the bright white one that is default for Google Maps.

NIGHT MODE AUTOMATICALLY MAKES THE APP EASIER TO USE AT NIGHT

In previous versions, users would have to turn down their brightness options on their iPhones. Now, the Google Maps iOS app does exactly that for you automatically. The idea that this could improve your night vision and your eyes will no longer have to adjust as you switch between the bright display and the darker road. Although this is a minor feature release, this one could make Google Maps much safer as a navigational aid for the millions of drivers who relied on the app instead of a navigational system.

NEW UPDATE IS LIVE ON BOTH IOS AND ANDROID

Night Mode is now live on the iOS version of Google Maps, and is already live on the Android version. The new update also included a few other interesting features. There are now features that allow for you to label places that you see on your maps and in your search suggestions. This would allow for a more personalized experience and you can also change the captions of the photos that you have uploaded to Google Maps.

NIGHT MODE IS AUTOMATIC AND CAN’T BE TURNED OFF

This feature is also entirely automatic, so you won’t have to change your phone’s settings in order to switch it on and off. Instead, the Night Mode will only activate when it is actually nighttime outside, and not just when its dark. Night Mode activates at a night based time within the phones time setting.

It is also only available in the turn-by-turn navigation mode, and not the default maps interface. This update is also available in turn-by-turn navigation mode and not just in the default map interface. Also, Night Mode is the current build and there isn’t a way to turn off this feature.

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UNTIL NIGHT MODE COMES TO YOU, PROTECT YOUR PHONE

Google Maps Has a New Night Mode Option

#Google releases a feature on #maps that would be great for those who tend to #lose #everything. - http://clapway.com/2015/07/22/google-maps-now-lets-you-retrace-your-steps-with-your-timeline-124/

Google is now coming out with a new “timeline” for Google Maps and will be expected within the next couple of weeks. This feature will allow you to view your entire location history from Google Maps. This will be based on data that is pulled from all of your devices when you are signed into your Google account. Google calls this new Your Timeline a useful way to remember and look at the places that you were at on a given day, month or year.

YOU CAN CURRENTLY SEE YOUR HISTORY ON GOOGLE MAPS, BUT NOT YOUR TIMELINE

You are already able to look at your location history by looking into your My Account dashboard that is associated with your Google account. The difference between the current viewings and the Your Timeline is that it will be available in a more user-friendly manner and visible from the Google Maps menu on the Android or desktop. Google Photos users will also see any pictures that they took on any day at a given location within the Your Timeline feature.

This is a part of the information resulting from the privacy policy change back in 2012. Many are impressed with Google making this information that it is collected easily available to you on Google Maps. As a part of the privacy issue that this could lead to, Google said that this information that is collected about you is only available to you. Despite all of these privacy policies enacted, many users are unhappy with the idea of the new Your Timeline.

GOOGLE CLAIMS IT IS ONLY VISIBLE TO YOU

Google is saying that Your Timeline is private and visible only to you and only when you’re signed in to your Google account. You also will only be able to see Your Timeline if you have enabled location history storing with Google. Google Now users on mobile devices that have this featured enabled should see this timeline, unless they have manually disabled it.

YOU CAN DELETE YOUR HISTORY WHENEVER

Google also says that you can delete a specific day, location or even the full history whenever you want. Location settings. Locations that you frequently visit can also be named such as your home.

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If this new feature doesn’t work for those of you who are prone to losing things, maybe this will:

Google Maps Now Lets You Retrace Your Steps With Your Timeline

U.S.: Google Maps Fixing Errors, N-Word Issue - http://clapway.com/2015/05/21/us-google-maps-is-fixing-errors-n-word-issue-123/

Due to some major hacking issues Google Maps is fixing errors that involve not only its algorithm that sends someone on travel to the right location, but also a problem involving the N-word showing up in searches. Users who put the N-word into the Google Maps search box would be lead to places like the White House, while other users found things like the Android icon symbol peeing on the Google icon symbol, as well as multiple other issues. Because of all of these issues Google Maps is fixing errors caused by these recent hacks into their popular and well-used mapping system.

US: Google Maps is Fixing Errors, N-Word Issuech

Google Maps is Fixing Errors Caused by Hackers

Google Maps is fixing errors caused by unscrupulous hackers and the company is also apologizing to its customers for any inappropriate results that they have showing up in their map searches. Users who want to use Google Maps to travel to their destinations are being inconvenienced and perhaps even embarrassed by these situations and Google, Inc. wants to make sure the situation is resolved and the hackers found and prosecuted.

The editor of Search Engine Land told reporters that it’s possible that the hackers were able to get into the Google Maps travel mapping system because of the way Google links specific phrases and words to their map locations. He said that it is possible this occurred when people talk about this sort of thing in blogs and other online locations and that it is a form of crowd searching words that somehow went bad.

Other Issues Showing up in Google Maps

Besides the N-word leading users to the White House and other places, the Google Maps algorithm was also affecting some people’s lives in other ways. For instance, users were putting their own names into Google searches and showing wrong results for places like where they went to school or other facts. This may not be the result of hackers, say some experts, but could be because if Google can’t find a match for someone in places like the local Chamber of Commerce, it will try logically to fill in the blanks with likely data.

Google maps is scrambling to find all of these problems and due to them, Google Maps is fixing errors in its algorithm as quickly as possible, and asks users to please have patience while the errors are being addressed.

U.S.: Google Maps Fixing Errors, N-Word Issue