Google Maps for iOS just became a whole lot more useful.
A new feature in "Popular Times" in the most recent update (version 4.27.0 on contact usiOS, version 9.44.3 on Android) gives you a rough idea of how crowded a specific store or restaurant is right this second.
SEE ALSO: Google Maps will soon get you where you need to go, then help you parkGoogle Maps has had Popular Times, which uses "aggregated and anonymized data from users who have opted in to Google Location History" for some time. It displays how busy (or not busy) a business is, hour by hour, on a bar graph.
With the update, a live pink bar shows how busy a place is in real time; it appears as an overlay on the bar graph so you can compare to how busy the venue is on average (using collected location data from the opt-in users from "the last several weeks"):
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable The new live feature should, in theory, help you avoid big, unexpected crowds -- like when, say, an entire office decides to visit a particular bar at a time when it's not usually busy, which wouldn't necessarily show up on the graph of the average Popular Times. It could also help avoid disappointment when a venue is unexpectedly closed -- if there's zero foot traffic when there's usually a lot, chances are there's no one home.
For instance, there's one specific Red Lobster location in New York City that seems to always be packed. With Popular Times, I can see that this Red Lobster is not as busy on Thursdays compared to Fridays and Saturdays, and the best time with the least amount of people seems to be right before noon.
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable 
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Popular Times shows times for businesses (restaurants and stores) and doesn't work on places like landmarks. At least not yet.
Topics Android Google iOS iPad iPhone
(Editor: {typename type="name"/})
Best smartwatch deal: Save $40 on the Fitbit Versa 4
How you can support the safety of Asian Americans with attacks on the rise
Porsche premieres longer, tougher electric Taycan: the Cross Turismo
Why are we still getting 'jokes' about seizures on TV shows?
Free Rita's Italian Ice: How to get free Italian Ice on March 20
Sony PULSE Elite PS5 headset open
SAVE $60:As of April 2, Sony PULSE Elite headset for PS5 is available in open-box fair condition at
...[Details]
WhatsApp's desktop app is finally getting voice and video calls. There's just one catch.
WhatsApp is adding voice and video calls to its desktop app, allowing users to both make and answer
...[Details]
The 'First of all' meme is the sass the world needs right now
Nothing good happens when someone starts with the phrase, "First of all." You know some major sass i
...[Details]
13 super last minute Halloween costumes inspired by 2017 pop culture
Look, we all want to be something great for Halloween, but life gets in the way and makes it difficu
...[Details]
Trump signs AI education order to train K
President Donald Trump signed a new executive order on Wednesday aimed at fostering AI education in
...[Details]
LeBron James’ ‘equality’ shoes are the NBA’s best peaceful protest
The NBA opening basketball game between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday evenin
...[Details]
'Coming 2 America' review: A heartfelt and hilarious sequel
If there's something specific you're hoping to see in a Coming to Americasequel, prepare to walk awa
...[Details]
Vegans are angry that this alternative health food company is promoting full
Vegetarians and vegans in the UK are up in arms against an alternative health food brand after it pr
...[Details]
Today's Hurdle hints and answers for May 12, 2025
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine
...[Details]
The nuns of Snapchat: the sisters offering teens a glimpse of convent life
The Kardashians are undoubtedly the most famous Snapchatting sisters in the world. But a community o
...[Details]
接受PR>=1、BR>=1，流量相当，内容相关类链接。
