Google Maps Archives - Exhibit Tech

NASA and Google Collaborate to Track Air Pollution in Real-Time

The problem of pollution, especially, air pollution is one of the biggest challenges for governments across the world. According to WHO, 7 million people in the world die due to air pollution. In order to tackle this serious issue, Google and NASA have joined hands to develop advanced machine learning-based algorithms that can generate high-resolution air quality maps in real-time.

Real-Time Air pollution Tracking

NASA announced the collaboration with Google in an official post. The new algorithm aims to link NASA data with Google Earth Engine data streams in order to achieve the feat of delivering real-time air pollution maps. “We’re thrilled about our partnership with NASA to make daily air quality more actionable at a local level,” said Rebecca Moore, director at Google Earth, Earth Engine and Outreach at Google. “Environmental insights, like high resolution air quality maps, can be useful tools for cities and community organizations who can take action on climate and health in their neighborhoods,” Moore said. “This scientific research partnership with NASA will help us improve the resolution, validation and the usefulness, of air quality maps in both space and time — giving everyone more data for decisions towards cleaner air”

NASA and Google had signed a 2-year Annex Agreement only back in July 2022. The agreement aims upon enhancing NASA’s science data discovery, usability and accessibility through the storage and sharing of data on the Google Cloud Platform and the Google Earth Engine. To accomplish real-time air pollution maps, Google has added two new NASA data sets to the Earth Engine Catalogue. These data sets are updated automatically on a daily basis.

NASA is currently working to develop machine-learning algorithms in the Google Earth Engine to identify the connections between the newly added data and data from Google’s Street View. “This partnership is a major step forward in integrating air pollution data from a range of critical sources, from ground-level observations to satellite data, into advanced machine learning algorithms,” said Pawan Gupta, senior scientist with Universities Space Research Association (USRA) at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

Google I/O 2022 Highlights – Google Pixel 6A, Pixel Buds Pro and more

Google Inc hosted its annual developer conference – Google I/O 2022, and announced a few top-notch products during its two-hour-long I/O keynote. The company is best known for its software products but entered the hardware world long back when it launched Nexus Q in 2012. Let’s take a sneak peek at all the products launched at the Google I/O 2022.

Software Announcements:

Android 13

Google announced Android 13 Beta 2 at the Google I/O 2022, which will soon begin rolling out to eligible Pixel devices. The Android 13 comes with a new notification and quick settings panel, along with support for Bluetooth LE Audio, MIDI 2.0 over USB and the automatic deletion of clipboard history. It will also bring a new unified Security & Privacy settings page for better safety.

Google Search

Google is about to change our googling experience with a new updated multi-search feature which earlier allowed users to find what they needed from the millions of local businesses, but now it has graduated to something more marvellous. The upcoming “near me” and “Search within a Scene” options will enhance our Google search by helping us with beneficial local results and various comparable details about the objects in the scene, respectively.

Google Maps & Google Translate

Google maps is about to get a new feature – “Immersive View”- more like an Apple Maps’ Flyover mode, but it seems like Google has done better than its rival. The upcoming feature allows users to explore a 3D-rendered version of big cities, and it will be available at first in Los Angeles, London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo. Google translate adds 24 new languages, which includes 8 Indian languages.

Hardware Announcements:

Google Pixel 6A

Google revealed Pixel 6A, a fresh and budget-friendly smartphone at the Google I/O 2022, which comes with a Google Tensor chip, and Google’s excellent photography software. The upcoming smartphone has a smaller 6.1-inch display and is backed by 6GB of RAM.

Google Pixel 7 & Google Pixel 7 Pro

Google didn’t confirm the launch of the Pixel 7-series, but the company teased the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro at the event. The Pixel 7 has a dual-camera setup, while the Pixel 7 Pro gets an additional telephoto camera. The 7-series smartphones will get Android 13 out of the box.

Google Pixel Watch

The long-rumoured Google Pixel Watch is official now, and it will run on Wear OS 3. The upcoming watch will compete against the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and even the Apple Watch 8.

Google Pixel Buds Pro

The upcoming Google Pixel Buds Pro are the first earbuds from the company to support active noise cancellation and have an estimated seven hours of battery life. The earbuds are equipped with a custom 11mm driver, have a custom audio chip, and support wireless charging.

10 Must-have Apps to Make Your Travel Easier

Oscar Wilde right quoted, “Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets”. Just the mere fact of going on a trip gives the adrenaline rush that none of us can deny. Especially a day before the journey commences. That restive night pondering the thoughts on missing our trains or flights if we do not get up on time. One of the primary concerns on a journey is good quality food. Thanks to the technological revolution, you can pre-book your favourite meal, which will be delivered to you on your seat. But it is a remarkable fact that nothing can beat the pooris and aloo ki sabji packed by our beloved mothers with a pinch of your favourite achaar. Planning a trip is not science but is enough to panic attacks. Thanks to our dads for being so particular about overseeing every minute detail of the journey. Sincere mentions the technology to make planning easy by breaking it down into a step-by-step process.

For that, we can use these suggested mobile apps.

1. Make My Trip: This app is a one-stop place to make all your travel bookings as well as to book your hotels, homestays, rent a car, and fun activities at your destination. They have a chatbot that helps you plan the trip and gives suggestions regarding the
destination.

2. IRCTC: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation is the go-to railway ticket booking site all Indians have been using. The Indian government powers it. It also lets customers book flight tickets, hotels, meals on the train, buses.

3. Google Maps: This app needs no introduction. We all have been using it in our daily lives, and it is a helpful app while travelling to lesser-known and unknown destinations. Google maps let you know the nearest petrol filling stations, restaurants, medical shops, real-time traffic updates, hotels.

4. Google Translate: Communicating in the local language of the place you are travelling to can make your stay easier and help you mix with the locals. Google translate is available across 100 languages and translates words, phrases, and web pages.

5. Ola / Uber: Having a smooth commute inter and intra city can make so much of a difference when you are on holiday. Both are the leading cab services in India, providing 24*7 cabs at our doorstep.

6. Paytm/ Phone Pe: After covid, everyone has shifted to online payments, which are more accessible and cash-free. All that you need to do is link your bank account and start with your transactions. Sending and receiving money from others has also been made easy; it is done with one click on our mobile apps.

7. Red Bus: Booking inter-city buses are made easy with the red bus. It gives you plenty of options to choose from and your preferred location to board the train. Complete information regarding the bus, facilities and stops is given to the customer before booking the bus ticket.

8. Audio Compass: This mobile app turns your mobile into a personal audio tour guide. Having over 1200 attractions across countries like India, Oman and Singapore. Audio compass is the official audio partner with Incredible India.

9. Spotify: Music is a great companion while travelling, whether solo or with someone. Having your playlist can make you feel more comfortable while travelling and avoid unnecessary noises.

10. Couchsurfing: on a solo trip and want to make new friends at your destination? Well, this is for you. It tells you verified hosts in your city, fellow travellers, events happening around you.

Google Maps Tips And Tricks: Playing With Locations

You may have played many games in your life. But have you ever tried hands-on Google Maps? Yeah, it’s true. The app that you feel you are using is draining your battery can be a play for sure—all you need to pull your shirts up and start learning with tricks related to Google Maps. In this Exhibit blog, we dedicate you to grasp key and crucial Google Maps tips and tricks.

No more Arrow

You select the point from where you will start and the destination and click on the “Start” option. An arrow will start projecting the direction and let you follow the path. But, if this arrow icon has become obsolete in your eyes, try something different. How? Just click on this arrow icon, and some options will open in front of you: car, car-pickup, and SUV.

Downloading Map

You are driving on a long journey, and you know that an instance will arise when you will not get internet in between. At that time, if you are relying on Google Maps, you can feel utter frustration. But there’s a solution to it. Just click on the vertical ellipsis icon and tap on the “Download offline map” option. Through this, you can keep track of yourself by checking it with the map offline mode.

Where did I leave my car?

Yes, it happens. We are often unable to recall where we have parked our car. To avoid such scenarios, Google Maps allows you to save your parking space. Just click on the icon that is showing your current location after you come out of your car and hit the Save your parking/ Set as parking location option (depends on whether you have an Android or iOS smartphone). It will help you in a very good manner.

Location Labelling

What if you want to open a location between your home and a restaurant. You will have to enter the address of your home every time. Congrats! you don’t need to take this burden. Just add a label to the location pin by pressing on the location and label like ‘Home’ or ‘Office’. Rest Google Maps will remember how to extract information from these labels.

Location Sharing

Sometimes you are returning late to your phone. An Indian mother or partner will always worry for you by calling you frequently to know your whereabouts. You can simply suppress their worries through Google Maps by sharing your live location. Yeah, this option is also available with Google Maps, apart from WhatsApp. All you need is to tap on your profile icon and select the Location sharing option. After that, options will open where you can choose the medium through which you want to share the location.

Google Maps History

You need evidence even in normal life. If you have to prove your location on a particular date or time, Google Maps stores it. You can check the places you have visited. Google Maps will present all the data in the form of a timeline.

Final Remarks

Hope you have learnt some key and crucial Google Maps tips and tricks that can be handy for you at some instance. Use them as per your comfort.