Mountain View, California — With the recently released Google Maps for Android 6.6, which followed up the big redesign of 6.5. However, ever the archetype of constant progress, search engine giant Google Inc. is seeking to drive U.S. consumers to nearby businesses, on Wednesday released version 6.7 of the company’s Maps for Android application, adding support for local offers as well as indoor walking directions for participating businesses.
However, Google did not presented any specific break out as to how many U.S. consumers use Google Maps on their mobile devices, but it says 200 million consumers use the tool worldwide, as Google Maps version 6.7 for Android has just released, and the big news is that it comes loaded with Google Offers.
“This is the next logical advancement for Google–to put offers in a relevant context,” says Eric Rosenblum, director of product management for Google Offers.
Google packed three essential features to the new update: local Offers, the indoor walking directions, and new interior photos of businesses that can be used as ads of sorts to convey what the interior of a store looks like. Google has encouraged store owners to add these photos, but participation is voluntary.
Google’s latest version of Google Maps for Android users, v6.7 fully enriched with indoor walking directions for stores, entertainment venues and other locations that have shared floor-plan information. Now, while you are viewing a map, you can extract a list of Google Offers nearby or see them plotted directly on your map. “This will help you get directions not only to a building’s front door,” the company explains, “but also through those doors to the places where you want to go inside.”
The cool thing attached with this update is that the integration consists of both instant-use offers (digital coupons, basically) and advanced purchase offers (similar to Groupons). Besides, if you like, you can even save offers for later and pull them up from the My Offers screen under the main menu. Unfortunately, for now Google Offers are only viewable to Maps users in the U.S.
Moreover, as the consumer opens Maps, he can tap Offers in the drop-down menu to find relevant deals on the map showing his location. You will then see the adjacent businesses offering deals, each marked with a blue Google Offers “tag.” You can also view offers in a list and choose to get e-mail notifications for nearby deals. Finally, if you are doubtful whether to hit up a store or restaurant, there is new panoramic photo support for inside.
Finally, Google Maps now lure users with integrated Google Business Photos, locations which have uploaded 360-degree panoramic interior images can share those via their profile pages, allowing curious would-be visitors to get a better perspective of what they will find inside. If you are not familiar with the Google Business Photos program, just think of it as Street View, but indoors. Compatible profiles have a new “See Inside” option alongside Street View.
Currently indoor walking directions are limited to the US and Japan. Google Maps v6.7 for Android is a free download from the Play Market.
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