Taiwan is scrambling to hide secret military sites exposed to the general public by new maps from Google, Taiwanese media reported Friday. The new 3D renderings revealed the National Security Bureau, the Military Intelligence Bureau, and a previously secret Patriot missile base, among other defense infrastructure. The defense ministry has reportedly called for calm and is currently discussing the matter with Google. Google released new maps of Taiwan Wednesday, and in the process, exposed some of the island’s hidden missile sites, Taiwanese media reported Friday. Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic territory perceived in Beijing as a renegade province, faces an ever-present threat from the massive Chinese military force situated just across the strait. China maintains that it will use force to achieve reunification if necessary. Therefore, Taiwan must be strategic and cautious in its handling of its limited yet advanced armed forces. Google Maps, as part of … [Read more...] about Google Maps just accidentally exposed Taiwan’s secret missile sites
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Truck falls off cliff in Indonesia after driver follows Google Maps
JAKARTA - Truck driver Agus Tri Pamungkas was not sure how to get to Singakerta village in Ubud, Bali to drop off the truckload of rocks he had driven from Banyuwangi, East Java. So he did what many lost drivers do: check Google Maps. Unfortunately, the app led him down a route that ended with his truck falling off a cliff into the Wos River near Banjar Gelogor, Lodtunduh village, Ubud. Gelogor village guard I Ketut Sumardika said Agus was following a route that was only recommended for motorcycles. "When he got to a bridge, he considered turning back, but because the road was not more than 3 meters [wide], he couldn't turn around," Sumardika said as quoted by kompas.com. Agus continued on the route to a damaged uphill road, where his truck stalled and upended into the river. Those nearby helped rescue the driver by cutting through the bamboo trees at the location. The 23-year-old sustained bruises and sprains and has since been released from the hospital. Agus' father and employer … [Read more...] about Truck falls off cliff in Indonesia after driver follows Google Maps
I just tried Google’s brand new augmented reality Maps on a one mile walk through San Francisco, and I miss it already
source Nick Bastone / Business Insider On Monday, the Google Maps team gave Business Insider the chance to try out its new AR feature for pedestrian maps, which the company first announced at its developer conference last May. The company says the feature is in an “alpha” state and for now, will only be available to “local guides.” Even without a definite public release date, we were anxious to see if AR could actually improve the Google Maps experience. Below we describe what it was like to use the new Google Maps AR feature on the streets of San Francisco. Anyone visiting a new city knows the confusion of emerging from a subway station and trying to figure out in which direction to turn. Even with your maps app open, orienting yourself in an unfamiliar place can be difficult and lead to some missteps. Google believes it has solved the problem using augmented reality technology. On Monday, the Google Maps team gave Business … [Read more...] about I just tried Google’s brand new augmented reality Maps on a one mile walk through San Francisco, and I miss it already
Google maps out a digital Thailand
Google Thailand has made a commitment to help Thailand transform digitally through initiatives that merge efforts, technology and resources. The move will focus on empowering individuals, students and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to benefit from Google’s products and services. Ben King, country director for Google Thailand, said the role of the tech giant would be to make information universally accessible and useful. Thailand is viewed as a mature market with 45 million people connected to the Internet, and engaging with technology in an increasingly varied way. Thailand has seen huge growth in digital economy transactions, including ride sharing which exploded from nothing to a US$600 million (Bt19.67 billion) in gross merchant values (GMVs) last year alone. E-commerce has also seen growth of around 40 per cent and is driving toward even greater retail market penetration, with sales now reaching GMV of over $2 billion. Thailand’s digital economy … [Read more...] about Google maps out a digital Thailand
Google Maps to alert you when to get off the bus
Google Maps is adding a helpful new feature for commuters who tend to lose track of time during bus or train ride. It will now send a push notification when the user is approaching their destination."It's much easier for mass transit travellers to doze off or get distracted and miss their intended stop. Now, you'll get a notification that'll make staying on the train or bus too long less likely," The Verge reported late on Friday.Google Maps provide turn-by-turn notifications for driving directions and now, the addition will make the app send a push notification when the user is approaching their stop.This feature will especially help Android users when they use public transit.Log into Google Maps on Android smartphone, enter destination, select directions for transit and tap on the route you want to take to use the new feature.The concept, however, is not completely new.Transit -- a public transit app and mapping service based in Canada has a "Go" feature that takes the user through … [Read more...] about Google Maps to alert you when to get off the bus