Google Maps is about to get more useful, telling you the best time to get outside and helping you get around indoors This week Google Maps released a new set of AR tools to help you get around indoors, adding more features such as weather layers and environmentally friendly travel routes

The new weather and air quality layers let you know what conditions are like and whether or not you should bring an umbrella, even before you leave, according to Google, with data provided by the Weather Company, AirNowgov, and the Central Pollution Board The weather layer will be available worldwide, but the air quality layer will only be available for the US, Australia, and India

To reduce the effects of climate change and save gasoline, Google Maps will suggest the least fuel-intensive routes based on road inclination and traffic on the route

Google Maps will choose the route with the lowest carbon footprint if the travel time is similar to the fastest route Users can compare the carbon footprint of various routes and change to the fastest route if they choose This feature will be rolled out in the US this year, with other countries expected to follow suit

Google Maps also allows you to easily compare different modes of transportation, such as car, bus, train, and bicycle, and prioritize routes based on your preferences

Google Maps also warns drivers if their route passes through a low-emission zone and offers alternative routes if vehicles are not allowed in that area This feature will roll out in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, and the UK in June

Once it is safe(r) to return to a mall or other indoor space, the new Indoor Live View AR will help you find your way through airports and train stations Indoor Live View provides step-by-step visual directions to stores, restrooms, ticket booths, ATMs, baggage claim, and other locations

Indoor Live View is currently available at select malls in Chicago, Long Island, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle In the coming months, it will be rolled out at airports, malls, and transit stations in Tokyo and Zurich

All in all, these are all very useful upgrades for Google Maps and will certainly make getting around in the maze of subway stations easier It will also be interesting to see if the new routes will save money on gasoline