Google Maps for mobile is adding a really handy new feature that will help users remember where they parked their car.
The good news is that all you need is Google Maps installed on your phone (and updated to the latest version). Once you’ve parked your car, just open the app and tap the blue dot that normally just shows you where you are, and you’ll have the option to set yourself a parking reminder. You can add timers, notes or pictures here, too, which could be useful if you’re only allowed to park for a few hours or are in a multi-storey.
The bad news is that currently the feature is still in beta testing, and only for Android phones, so we will have to wait a little while to start using it (especially if you have an iPhone). It’s expected that a full release and equivalent features for other operating systems will follow pretty soon, though.
Parking Help for iPhone Users
iPhone users do already have a very similar capability in Apples own Maps application. These parking notifications are automated, though (which can be annoying… do you really need reminding that you’ve just pulled up in your own driveway?!) They work by sensing when you disconnect from your car’s Bluetooth so may not be useful for everyone, but it could be worth turning them on if you’re going to an unfamiliar place.
Go to Settings > Maps > YOUR CAR to change the Show Parked Location capability on or off.
One good tip you can use to remember your location without wading through the notifications and messing around with your Bluetooth is to ‘drop a pin’ on your iPhone Maps app. Just open the app, zoom into the blue location marker, press for a couple of seconds, and the option to ‘Mark My Location’ will appear. Later on when you go back to Maps your location will be saved and you can navigate back to it.
