You’re not just proving you’re human — you’re revealing your browser’s dirty secrets. We also talk to Jeff Johnson from The Trek Planner about using Google Earth to find ancient ruins. Plus, Gen Z brings parents to job interviews and human skills bots can’t replicate.
See what the home you grew up in looks like now and other Maps tricks
I grew up in New Jersey, right next to a state park. I still remember riding my bike all day like it was yesterday. Oh, and the time I threw a snowball at a police car and hit the cop inside. That was bad.
I hadn’t looked at the house in years, so seeing it on a map took me back. While at it, take yourself on a walk down memory lane, too.
Blast from the past
There’s something special about seeing what the house you spent your childhood in looks like now — or you can flash back for as long as Google has been collecting pictures in that area.
- Open the Google Maps app and search for a place.
- At the bottom, tap the place name or address.
- Scroll and select the photo labeled Street View or select the thumbnail with a Street View icon.
- While viewing a location in Street View, tap anywhere on the image, then tap See more dates.
💡 I have an idea. While looking at your old house, write down three memories in the Notes app on your phone. Next time you’re with the kids, show them the house and tell them a few stories. So fun!
Plan ahead and save on gas
The longer you spend in traffic, the more gas you’ll burn. Google Maps helps you plan a future trip, taking in predicted traffic, routes, and road conditions along the way.
Here’s how to set a planned time and date for a trip:
- Open the Google Maps app and tap on the Search here field.
- Enter a destination and select it from the results.
- Tap Directions and then the three dots button to the right of the Your location field.
- Tap Set depart or arrive time.
- Select Depart at and enter a date and time, then tap Done.
- You’ll get various route options and details such as time and distance.
- Select a route and tap Start.
Step inside buildings
With Google Maps, you can virtually visit the inside of places such as stores, airports or hotels. It’s fun to check out photos of places uploaded by other people, too.
You can see shipwreck sites on Google Maps — including the Titanic
Google Maps is a great application if you want to tour the world from the comfort of your computer chair. Sure, it is also great for getting around in real life with turn-by-turn directions, but nothing beats zipping around the globe at the click of a button.
Google's new augmented reality tool transports you to the other side of the Earth
Have you ever wondered where you would end up if you dug a hole straight through Earth? Standing in your backyard, shoveling directly down until you reach the other side, where would you be? Tap or click here to see how Google Maps’ new feature takes navigation to the next level (literally).
Mostly Harmless': Internet mystery of a dead man on the Appalachian Trail and $3K in cash
Every so often, a puzzling event or urban legend captures the internet’s collective imagination. If a story happens to go viral, it’s even possible for internet sleuths on social media to crack the case or make a discovery.
Map out your travels with Google Earth
Want a fun way to look back at your vacations? Try this trick in my one-minute podcast.
Explore shipwrecks with Google Earth
Did you know Google Earth has mapped out 90% of the world? Here are the coolest things you can search, in one minute.
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Microsoft's new Flight Simulator: How to get it, cost, specs
If you’ve been hesitant to travel in recent months due to the pandemic but are missing the feeling of flying, we have good news for you. You will now have the option to hop on any flight path you want to and check out the world views while still staying socially distant.
Shocking: People finding pics of deceased loved ones on Google Maps
When you fire up Google Maps, you probably think of it as more of a digital navigator than a tour guide or travel slideshow. Nevertheless, people love to explore the world with Google Street View.
But Google Maps, and by extension Street View, also collects a staggering amount of data about local users. Sometimes, Street View will even let you take a trip back in time to see what a location looked like years ago. Tap or click to learn how to use Street View History.