Never get ripped off by a taxi again: Google Maps’ clever new alert
Google Maps is testing a new feature in India that allows you to be warned if a taxi driver is taking you off your intended course to increase your taxi fare.
These new “off-route alerts” will send a notification to your phone every time you get side-tracked from the intended course by 500 metres.
The feature has been developed by XDA-Developers and was designed to help ensure drivers do not stray too far from the route.
You simply choose the “stay safer” button that’s located at the bottom of the screen on Google Maps where you would enter your destination for directions.
After you’ve selected the button, Google Maps offers the ability to “share live progress with friends” as well as offering the “off-route alerts”.
According to 9News, the feature isn’t yet available in Australia or New Zealand as it is only being tested in India at the moment.
Google Maps is also aiming to introduce speed limit indicators as well as speed camera locations to its navigation technology.
The maps app will warn you when you approach a fixed speed camera location as well as allow you to submit the location of mobile speed cameras to alert other drivers.