Confirmed: Google Testing “Walking Directions” Feature
From the archive: published Jul 8, 2008, 18 years ago. Details may have changed since.
Google is testing a new “walking directions” feature for its Google Maps utility, The Inquisitr has confirmed.
Several users had noticed the feature pop up unannounced in their Google Maps configuration over the past days. With a notice explaining “walking directions are in beta” and advising you to “use caution when walking in unfamiliar areas,” the new tab offers foot-friendly directions for limited cities — but it won’t show up for everyone.
“We’re constantly experimenting with new features,” a Google spokesperson told The Inquisitr. “A random portion of users may see [the] walking directions experiment in Google Maps.”
So far, the testing has been confirmed for parts of New York City. Google could not elaborate on what other cities may be included or when a wider rollout could occur.