In a surprising turn of events, a resourceful individual in India utilized Google Maps for a rather unconventional purpose. This individual relied on the location data provided by the navigation application to track down the thief who had stolen their father’s smartphone. The clever use of Google Maps eventually led to the criminal’s capture, with the police being alerted several hours after the theft occurred.
The incident took place when the individual’s father was traveling from Nagercoil to Trichy in the sleeper class of a nearly empty train. During the journey, an unknown individual boarded the train and swiftly stole the father’s bag and mobile phone. The thief then disembarked at Tirunelveli Junction.
Hours later, the father managed to contact his family using a friend’s phone, informing them about the theft and seeking their assistance. It was at this point that the individual, named Raj Bhagat, turned to Google Maps in a bid to locate the thief. The father had enabled location sharing on Google Maps, allowing Raj to track his father’s real-time location. Even after the theft, the feature continued to broadcast the phone’s location, enabling the pursuit of the thief with the help of the railway police.
Raj Bhagat documented each step of the captivating chase on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that the thief momentarily disappeared into a crowd. However, thanks to Google Maps, his location was soon exposed once again. Within minutes, Raj and a group of people at the Anna bus stand managed to locate the thief. The father’s bag was spotted, and with the assistance of others, the thief was apprehended, and the police were promptly notified.
Upon further investigation by law enforcement, it was discovered that the captured individual was a repeat offender, having stolen and consumed other electronic devices, including Bluetooth earphones.
Google Maps offers a location-sharing feature that allows users to inform others of their whereabouts. This feature is available on both Android and iPhone devices. Additionally, other applications, such as WhatsApp, also support live location sharing. WhatsApp, the world’s leading messaging service, enables users to share their current or live location directly within a conversation.
While Google Maps provides the option for permanent location sharing, most users typically enable it temporarily, usually until they reach their destination. This feature allows users to share their location with individuals who possess a Google account. The shared data can be viewed directly in Google Maps if the app is installed on the recipient’s mobile device. Alternatively, if the recipient does not have a Google account, the sharing is facilitated through a link that opens the web-based version of Google Maps.
Google continues to enhance Google Maps, introducing new features that enhance both its navigation and non-navigation capabilities. One such improvement is the addition of 3D buildings support for Android Auto. Although this feature is already available on mobile devices, Google is actively working on implementing it within the Android Auto interface.
GOOGLE MAPS UNVEILS NEW 3D BUILDINGS FEATURE
In a major update, Google Maps is now rolling out its highly anticipated 3D buildings feature to users worldwide. Although the behavior of the feature still requires some polishing, it is already impressing users with its innovative capabilities.
One of the standout features of the update is the ability to explore the world using a multi-dimensional view called Immersive View. This feature, which was announced two years ago, combines satellite imagery, street-level photos, and other details to provide users with a truly immersive experience. Additionally, Immersive View now includes a new component called Immersive View for routes, which allows users to preview their driving routes with realistic details, including buildings and trees. This feature aims to make every trip safer and more predictable for drivers.
While the 3D buildings feature is currently only available in limited regions due to the vast amount of data involved, Google promises to expand its availability to more locations in the future. With this update, Google Maps solidifies its position as the world’s top mobile navigation app, surpassing even Apple Maps in terms of features and capabilities.
The introduction of the 3D buildings feature is a significant milestone for Google Maps, as it enhances the overall navigation experience for users. Whether you’re exploring a new city or planning your daily commute, Google Maps continues to lead the way in providing innovative and immersive features that help users navigate the world with ease.
