Google Maps has a number of major updates coming in the next few months, but the best one is already here: an indoor version of Google Maps' Live View that will help you avoid getting lost in crowds

Live View's AR-centric directions first launched in 2019, but only outdoors Currently, the directions can be tried out in shopping malls in a handful of US cities So no more struggling to find an Apple store because you got off on the wrong floor

Indoor directions are always more difficult than doing the same thing outdoors; GPS is good at locating a position on a 2D map, but not so good at dealing with altitude or exact location in a building Google, however, claims that advances in AI technology can make up the difference

Using such clever technology, Google Maps can navigate you to new places Even if that location is exactly the same place as you, or just a few floors below

If you are already using Liveview to navigate, then the indoor version will be very familiar to you Just open Google Maps and type in your destination Select the walking icon on the top tab and at the bottom you will see an option to toggle live view Press it and you will see directions

Indoor live view doesn't work everywhere, but this is very easy First, you need to live in Chicago, Long Island, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, San Jose, or Seattle Then you need to go to one of the specific shopping malls where Google has added indoor directions

Unfortunately, to our knowledge, Google has not revealed which shopping malls are supported Therefore, it may take some trial and error to see if AR guidance can be obtained at local shopping malls

A broader rollout is also expected, but Google has not gone into depth on specifics All we know is that Indoor Live View will be expanded to shopping malls, airports, and other transportation facilities in cities around the world