CNN reports that Google plans to introduce some major enhancements to its maps. Google at a news conference at its San Francisco office, said that its firstly adding an option to enable Android users to be able to use its maps service offline. At present you are required to use either a wifi or a wireless data connection for the maps to work. Google says this service will be available in more than 100 countries.The offline mode option will be rolled out to Android users within a couple of weeks.

Speaking at Google’s news event Rita Chen, a product manager for Google said “No longer will you need paper maps,” .

It seems unlikely that Apple iOS users will get this upgrade, because it is rumoured that Apple is dropping Google maps in favour of its own version, Apple’s new map service is rumoured to be built into iOS 6 which is expected to be launched at the Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, which starts on June 11.   

Google plans to also make available a 3D option to mobile users. This will enable the mobile users to have access to more detailed 3D maps within urban areas. Peter Birch who is another project manager speaking at the news event says “We’re trying to create the illusion that you are flying over the city, almost as if you were in your own personal helicopter,”. Google also plans to extend these 3D maps by the end of the year to cover over 300 million people. At first these 3D maps will only be available within Google s Earth app for mobile devices but there is a desktop version planned for a later date.

All these enhancements to Google s map service look promising. Lets hope when Apple releases its own version, it can offer the same bells and whistles as the Google version does.

Source CNN