Google Maps gets offline search and directions

The software also lets devices find businesses' locations, opening hours and telephone numbers while offline.

The firm said tourists visiting places outside their mobile subscription plans and people living in emerging markets, where data can be expensive, would be among those who would benefit most.

But one expert said budget-phone owners would now have to juggle data.

"Entry-level Android smartphones sometimes only have four gigabytes of onboard storage, making it a precious resource," commented Ben Wood from CCS Insight.

"Once you've downloaded a few applications, some music and perhaps a video, that memory quickly disappears.

"So some users may find using map downloads limits what else they can do with their device - but to be honest that's one small negative in a sea of positives about this update."

Google said downloading most of Greater London would take up 380 megabytes on a device, while storing the San Francisco Bay area would require about 200MB.

It added that it intended to release a similar update for iOS devices "very soon", but could not confirm if that would be before the year's end.

 

(BBC)