Mobile Map Directions

One of the most popular features of a mobile map is the function to plot directions between two separate locations. While many people had to refer to an atlas to perform this task many years ago, a simple application will now satisfy this need. As mobile map technology has progressed, users have started to benefit from more and more directional features and this article will aim to cover the most common.

Directions From One Address To Another

Undoubtedly, the most common feature of a mobile map is the function to plot directions between two different addresses. This was one of the first features to be installed in the early mobile map applications and users can access the function by simply entering two addresses before then reading the line-by-line directions.

Directions From The User’s Location To An Address

As technology advanced, users were given an extra option whilst plotting their route. The vast majority of mobile map applications include a ‘My Location’ feature, which pinpoints exactly where the user is located on the map. This can make plotting a route exceptionally easy, as the user will simply state that they wish to start from their current location and travel to their specified destination. Of course, this can save a lot of time and can be particularly helpful if the user is lost.

Directions By Different Transport Methods

A lot of mobile map applications allow the user to specify which transport method they will be using to travel. Options such as walking, cycling, driving and travel by public transport are often provided, meaning that the user will be provided the most relevant information. What’s more, many of the more established mobile map services provide users with bus times and routes if they select the public transport option, thus saving a lot of time.

Directions To Avoid Busy Routes

Those applications that supply traffic updates will be particularly useful for some users, as most of the time they include an option to avoid those areas that are busy. It is mainly just the advanced mobile map applications that include such a feature and some services may even require a fee if the user is to access such information. With that being said, Google Maps do provide this functionality free to their users.

Directions To Avoid Toll Roads

Similarly to above, users can plot their routes to avoid certain roads. The majority of mobile map applications include a setting which allows a route to be created that does not utilise toll roads, which brings its obvious advantages.

Mobile Map Directions Summary

In conclusion, mobile maps now provide users with plenty of different directional settings. Technology advancements have allowed developers to make their applications much easier to use and many have used this to make improvements in their directions systems. There is no doubt that the ability for a user to pinpoint their own location will prove extremely handy, while directions via different methods of transport will mean that many people no longer have to check many sources to plot a route.