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Google Maps Hacks

simonweckert.com

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Re: Google Maps Hacks

#161

Post by ninkendo »

dangerlibrary wrote: post #117
AlexandrB wrote: post #115

Navigation apps have mostly settled into a comfortable state of "good enough" mediocrity. In addition to the "red but no traffic" problems highlighted by others I find turn by turn directions are incredibly annoying while driving in areas I'm intimately familiar with and there's no way to say "I know what I'm doing when I'm in this area" or "pause giving me voice directions for 10 minutes". Additionally: * I can't co…

My wife and I regularly talk about how "Thanks Google, I'll take it from here" is the best Maps features that doesn't exist.

Does it not have the ability to mute navigation?

Apple Maps in CarPlay has this option, and I only ever use it muted. It’s fine even when I don’t know where I’m going, since I just glance at the screen to see the next turn/distance and that’s all I need anyway.

Re: Google Maps Hacks

#162

Post by toomuchtodo »

Okkef wrote: post #150
herenorthere wrote: post #147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>There's no way to optimize for minimizing left turns, especially onto busy streets. Woah, I've never heard anyone else mention this problem. It sounds strange having it said "out loud" because I thought it was just a weird personal quirk/irritation of mine. I have always wished there was a route option of "easy mode driving," or "no pressure route." Often the "quickest" route google maps shows me is one that has som…

Have you considered taking some driving lessons to become more assertive in traffic? You don't need to feel this way for a left-hand turn.

http://theconversation.com/why-ups-drivers-dont-turn-left-an... (Why UPS drivers don’t turn left and you probably shouldn’t either)

Re: Google Maps Hacks

#163

Post by darkerside »

herenorthere wrote: post #156
Okkef wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you considered taking some driving lessons to become more assertive in traffic? You don't need to feel this way for a left-hand turn.

I just get some social anxiety when people back up behind me, or anytime I feel like my driving is "imposing" on others. I know it's somewhat irrational. But I doubt a driving lesson would help with my more general problem of social anxiety. Anyway, I'd rather be this type of driver than an overly dense person who doesn't mind backing up traffic. The type of people that will go sideways blocking four lanes coming out…

How long have you been driving? That feeling should go away with some time.

Re: Google Maps Hacks

#164

Post by mleo »

herenorthere wrote: post #156
Okkef wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you considered taking some driving lessons to become more assertive in traffic? You don't need to feel this way for a left-hand turn.

I just get some social anxiety when people back up behind me, or anytime I feel like my driving is "imposing" on others. I know it's somewhat irrational. But I doubt a driving lesson would help with my more general problem of social anxiety. Anyway, I'd rather be this type of driver than an overly dense person who doesn't mind backing up traffic. The type of people that will go sideways blocking four lanes coming out…

I understand your point. I live right behind a three lane road that has left turn onto a street next to my house. You end up turning left across four lanes of traffic and you can’t always see the far lane. The far lane may not back up due to becoming a turn lane and cars are going faster thanks overall traffic. The city disallows left turns from 3-7pm, but I don’t make that turn if there is a modicum of traffic at any point in time. There is at least one accident a week there as people try to make that turn. Anytime traffic is red, it would be better for nav apps to reroute to safer turns.

Re: Google Maps Hacks

#165

Post by Sebguer »

herenorthere wrote: post #147
AlexandrB wrote: post #115

Navigation apps have mostly settled into a comfortable state of "good enough" mediocrity. In addition to the "red but no traffic" problems highlighted by others I find turn by turn directions are incredibly annoying while driving in areas I'm intimately familiar with and there's no way to say "I know what I'm doing when I'm in this area" or "pause giving me voice directions for 10 minutes". Additionally: * I can't co…

>There's no way to optimize for minimizing left turns, especially onto busy streets. Woah, I've never heard anyone else mention this problem. It sounds strange having it said "out loud" because I thought it was just a weird personal quirk/irritation of mine. I have always wished there was a route option of "easy mode driving," or "no pressure route." Often the "quickest" route google maps shows me is one that has som…

This is one of the most relatable things I've ever read on this website.

Re: Google Maps Hacks

#166

Post by rexf »

ryanmcdonough wrote: post #119
dangerlibrary wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My wife and I regularly talk about how "Thanks Google, I'll take it from here" is the best Maps features that doesn't exist.

You mean pressing “end route” ?

Exactly, I just hit Exit in GMaps, and it works well.

Re: Google Maps Hacks

#167

Post by [deleted] »

beefield wrote: post #120
copperx wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a bit naive to think that Google doesn't have a filtering rule that says "only consider real phones with a true GPS signal".

This may be a bit naive question, but how does Google know that the virtual phone is not a real phone and the signal is not true? In a way that is not spoofable?

[deleted]

Re: Google Maps Hacks

#168

Post by deathhand »

herenorthere wrote: post #147
AlexandrB wrote: post #115

Navigation apps have mostly settled into a comfortable state of "good enough" mediocrity. In addition to the "red but no traffic" problems highlighted by others I find turn by turn directions are incredibly annoying while driving in areas I'm intimately familiar with and there's no way to say "I know what I'm doing when I'm in this area" or "pause giving me voice directions for 10 minutes". Additionally: * I can't co…

>There's no way to optimize for minimizing left turns, especially onto busy streets. Woah, I've never heard anyone else mention this problem. It sounds strange having it said "out loud" because I thought it was just a weird personal quirk/irritation of mine. I have always wished there was a route option of "easy mode driving," or "no pressure route." Often the "quickest" route google maps shows me is one that has som…

Fed ex avoids left turns - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2014/04/0...

Re: Google Maps Hacks

#169

Post by brokensegue »

AlexandrB wrote: post #143
chrisseaton wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> There's no way to optimize for minimizing left turns, especially onto busy streets. Presumably this is already factored into route timings?

The time taken might be factored in but: * On busy streets, left turns through uncontrolled intersections can have high variability. So you might be unlucky and get stuck for several minutes waiting to turn. A slower, but more predictable route might be better if you need to arrive on time. * Left turns are simply more stressful than right turns. Saving a minute might not be worth the pain.

Your variability point extends beyond just left turns. Routes with lots of lights or that cross train tracks have extra variability. If I'm leaving with barely enough time I want directions that have low time variance since I cannot afford to be on the wrong side of the distribution. Other times I'm willing to risk some variance for a shorter expected time.

Re: Google Maps Hacks

#170

Post by herenorthere »

darkerside wrote: post #163
herenorthere wrote: post #156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just get some social anxiety when people back up behind me, or anytime I feel like my driving is "imposing" on others. I know it's somewhat irrational. But I doubt a driving lesson would help with my more general problem of social anxiety. Anyway, I'd rather be this type of driver than an overly dense person who doesn't mind backing up traffic. The type of people that will go sideways blocking four lanes coming out…

How long have you been driving? That feeling should go away with some time.

almost 20 years... so yeah I dont think it's going away. Being anxious about backing up traffic or the other things I described isn't that abnormal I don't think?

When Ive been a passenger, Ive seen most other drivers feel this way--whether they say it or not, you can see on their face they are feeling anxious.

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