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Google Maps AR

Ever wondered how cool it would look if navigations to places just appeared right in front of you? Well that’s becoming a reality, kinda. Google is bringing augmented reality walking directions. It will be called Google Maps Live View. It is available on Android and iOS, if you have beta capabilities. We think Google Maps AR version is going to be incredible!

We first blogged on Google Maps AR when it appeared on Google’s Pixel phone’s earlier on this year. It showed real time navigation of Google Maps through your phone’s camera.

Simply hold your phone up next to the streets and your surroundings. It will then display arrows and directions overlaid on top of the camera view. Making it so much easier to get to places.

How To: Google Maps AR

So, Android owners whose devices support ARCore or iPhones which support ARKit will be able to access Google Maps Live View beta this week. You can test Google Maps Live View by:

  • Searching for a location you want to walk to or tap it on a map
  • Tap on the directions button at the bottom
  • Select walking directions at the top of the screen
  • Tap on the new Live View option at the bottom of the screen

Google is adding a whole host of new features to it’s mapping service. The tech giant want Google to be the place where you plan your trips from start to finish and is adding loads of features, this just seems to be the coolest one yet.

(The Verge)

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Google Maps AR

Google Maps AR

We came across the below tweet earlier on the week and we are very very impressed! Who needs Google Glasses or Apple Glasses when you have got your phone and AR! Say hello to Google Maps AR! It’s now looking like it’s starting to roll it out slowly to some users

https://twitter.com/ow/status/1106211516217470977

Google announced this feature in May of 2018 at it’s annual I/O developer conference. At the time it was called the AR Visual Positioning System. Which provided a layer of augmented reality over reality. Just raise your phone in front of your eyes and you are given directions of where to go. Whereas if you were to put your phone down it will revert back to the traditional map view.

It doesn’t look like something I’d use all the time and Rachel Inman the AR lead for the project told the Wall Street Journal that it’s not meant to be used as a primary navigation tool. Rather intended to be put to use when looking for a difficult to find specific road.

(Mashable)

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ShredMate

ShredMate Moutain Bike Computer

The ShredMate is a really cool mini computer for all the mountain bike enthusiasts out there. The ShredMate easily and quickly connects to your smartphone via bluetooth and tracks your ride. Simply attach the device to your bike via the forks and the magnet on the wheel. Then allow it to track a whole library of different aspects of your riding. These aspects include, jump tracking, g-force tracking, rough trail detection, speed, distance and mapping.

ShredMate. Tracking genius.

Landings and air time are tracked extensively. Riders then check the ShredMate app to see how they do during rides and adjust accordingly. Therefore allowing a user to ultimately become a smoother rider. The device detects speed and the map changes colour based on this. So for example, red will be fast and green is slow. The accompanying app even gives you little achievements or awards as your ride to encourage you to become a better rider! Plus you can keep on riding for 6months until the battery needs changing so eradicates the need to stress over if you have charged the device or not!

 

 

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