The Internet giant Google on Friday issued a refresh to its native mapping application for the iPhone and iPad, adding Local Guides and a couple other nice-to-haves.
A global community of the top reviewers on Google, Local Guides now appear in Google Maps 4.3 for iOS.
You can also add transit directions to your calendar.
Search has been improved, too, with the ability to search for event information for select venues, nearby businesses based on their address and even retrieve fun facts about popular points of interest.
Information on nearby points of interest is pulled from Wikipedia and other Internet sources. Tapping the info pane opens up the underlying article from Wikipedia within Google Maps for iOS.
Using the Share menu, you can open the article in Google Chrome, Apple’s Safari or copy the URL for manual sharing on social media and in blog posts.
For the time being, accessing information on upcoming events and performances doesn’t include options to buy tickets or check out show times.
The update is live in the App Store.
Google Maps 4.3 changelog:
- See businesses nearby when looking up an address
- Get quick facts on popular points of interest
- See a list of upcoming events and performances at participating venues
- Earn your Local Guides badge by sharing reviews
- Add transit directions to your calendar
- Bug Fixes
The 26.2-megabyte app requires an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad with iOS 6.0 or later.