Google Maps has unleashed a raft of new features as it marks its 15th birthday.
The service, which Google claims has a billion users, now presents users on its Android and iOS app with five tabs: Commute, Contribute, Explore, Saved and Updates.
The Explore tab helps users find nearby restaurants, attractions and landmarks by providing them with information, ratings and reviews.
The Contribute tab enables users to help others by sharing local knowledge about roads and addresses around them as well as business reviews and images.
In a blog post, Jen Fitzpatrick, senior vice president for Google Maps, says: "Every day, people contribute more than 20 million pieces of content to Google, like photos, reviews and ratings. These contributions continually make our map richer and more helpful for everyone."
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An Updates tab, meanwhile, provides a feed of trending, “must-see” spots from local experts while Saved allows users to see all their saved spots such as restaurants and help organize forthcoming trips.
Google says users can now also directly chat with businesses and ask questions via the tool.
There are plans to extend Live View, functionality that was added last year using augmented reality to help users see which direction to go in, with improved guidance.
Many in the industry will be closely watching these development in the belief that Google Maps is steadily becoming the company's bid to create a super app in travel.
Last November, Google Maps announced a translation feature as well as the piloting of a Local Guides service.