Google has upgraded the mobile site for Maps, which is one of the company's most popular online services, adding features found on the version for desktop browsers.
New features now available in browsers for iOS and Android mobile phones and tablet devices include the ability to search for "nearby" locations with both suggest and auto-complete functionality; to access direction instructions not only when driving but also when biking, walking or taking public transportation; and to view Google Maps Place pages that contain information about businesses, parks, landmarks and other locations.
Also, users who are signed into their Google accounts will get access to locations they have previously "starred" and to the My Maps feature.
Currently, 40 per cent of Google Maps' usage comes from mobile devices, said Google Software Engineer Ali Alireza in a blog post on Friday.
"Now, when you visit maps.google.com on your phone or tablet's browser and opt-in to share your location, you can use many of the same Google Maps features you're used to from the desktop," Alireza wrote.
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