Chapter 7. Using the Maps app

In this section:

• Opening and navigating the Maps app

• Choosing a map style

• Searching for locations

• Displaying information about a location

• Showing traffic on maps

• Getting directions

• Adding a pin

• Marking a favorite

The Maps app comes pre-installed in Windows 8.1, and it offers some very easy-to-use and useful features.

Using the Maps app, you can pinpoint your computing device’s current location (especially handy with laptops and tablets); get directions from point A to point B; get an aerial view of the world; and figure out how to avoid traffic on your morning or evening commute. The ability to zoom in and out for greater or lesser detail can be helpful in finding your way on a map too. You can even get information about businesses and attractions, or jump quickly to online search results or related websites to find more details.

Opening and navigating the Maps app

You can use the Maps app for many purposes, including finding nearby locations and getting directions there. But you can also use Maps to get information about businesses such as restaurants and clubs by clicking an applicable web site, provided it is offered in the results. When perusing the Maps app, you can zoom in and out to get more or less detail with a click, quickly find your current location, and then move the map around to find nearby locations with a simple click and drag action.

Open and move around maps

1. On the Start screen, click the Maps tile.

   

2. If prompted, click Allow to let Maps learn your current location.

   

3. Position the cursor on the right side of the map, and click the + sign to zoom in.

4. Click the – sign to zoom out.

5. To view adjacent areas, click and drag on the map.

   

6. Right-click to display the App bars that run across the top and bottom of the screen.

7. To view the map of your current location, click My Location.

   

Tip

You can zoom in and out of a map by using the scroll wheel on your mouse.

Tip

When you right-click inside Maps, an App bar appears that runs across the top of the Map interface as well as the bottom. In most of the exercises in this chapter you need only to focus on the toolbar that runs across the bottom. However, the App bar that runs across the top offers two items: Map and Favorites. You’ll learn about these later in this chapter.

Choosing a map style

There are two map styles in the Maps app: Road View and Aerial View. The Road View is similar to a traditional road map with streets, bodies of water, and various landmarks represented as a simple two-dimensional illustration. Aerial View is an actual photo of locations from the air, showing greenery, roads, and other topographical features. The view you display depends on what information you need.

Change map style

1. With the Maps app open, right-click to display the App bar.

2. Click Map Style.

3. Click the desired view to apply it.

   

Try This

Switch to Aerial view and zoom in as far as you can to view your current location as it appears from the sky. You will likely have to click and drag to keep your location on the map screen. If you zoom in close enough, you may be able to see your own backyard, street, or a business parking lot.

Tip

Aerial maps aren’t shown in real time. Somebody (or something) took the picture perhaps a few months or years ago, so new construction or roads might not always appear accurately.

Searching for locations

If you want to see a particular location displayed in the Maps app, you can enter an address using the Windows Integrated Search feature. The information you enter can be the name of a public landmark such as Hoover Dam, a city or town such as Denver, or a street address. To clear a map after a location has been found, right-click and select Clear Map from the toolbar.

Search for a location

1. Open the Maps app.

2. Type a search term such as “pizza.”

3. Note the results, and click one, perhaps Eat + Drink.

   

4. Note the results; click a result to have it pinpointed on the map.

5. Click the Directions icon.

   

6. Choose to go by car, bus, or walk.

7. Click the right-facing arrow to get directions.

   

Tip

To clear the map and return to the previous view, right-click the screen and click Clear Map.

Try This

You aren’t limited to entering a generic term in the Maps search field. You can also enter a city name, a business name, and even landmarks like “The Hoover Dam.”

Displaying information about a location

One of the wonderful features of the Maps app is the way it can tie into the Internet to provide details about a location or business. Maps can offer access to a company website that might offer information about its hours and payment options, or it might show customer ratings, among other things. You can almost always access a telephone number, address, and so on.

Display location information

1. With the Maps app open, type the name of a nearby business (the Search pane opens automatically) and press Enter on the keyboard.

   

2. Click a result.

3. With a location showing on a map, note the information offered about the establishment.

   

4. Hover your mouse over each icon in the information pane to see a pop-up window that displays what each button does.

   

Tip

If you do not want Maps to know your location and you’ve already allowed it, open PC Settings, click any back arrow if it appears, click Privacy, click Location, and then move the slider next to Maps from On to Off. You can do this for any other apps that use your location too.

Tip

To clear a map and start a new search, right-click and choose Clear Map.

Showing traffic on maps

If you live in a highly populated area, you can likely use the Traffic feature of the Maps app to display color codes for real-time traffic problems, as long as you have an Internet connection and the technology is available to provide it in your area. Green roads are relatively clear, yellow roads have slowed traffic, and red roads have serious problems, with traffic slowing significantly.

Display traffic

1. Open the Maps app.

2. To display the toolbar, right-click the screen.

3. Click Map Style.

4. Click the Show Traffic button.

5. To turn the feature off, repeat steps 1 to 3 and click Show Traffic again.

   

Tip

Show Traffic isn’t likely to work very well in smaller towns or rural areas where current traffic is seldom tracked, but in cities, it can show you information about traffic problems on major arteries in virtually real time to help you find the best route.

Getting directions

Looking at a map of a location can be helpful, but finding a route from one place to another is one of the major uses of a mapping program. By entering a start point and end point, the Maps app can calculate the route, tell you the total miles and time it will take to make the trip, and give you step-by-step directions.

Get directions

1. With the Maps app open, right-click and then click Directions.

   

2. Click in the A field, and type a starting address or location. You can leave the default My Location if desired.

3. Click in the B field, and type an ending address or location.

4. Click the arrow beside Options. (This won’t be available if you opt to walk instead of drive.)

5. Configure options as desired.

6. Click the Get Directions arrow.

   

7. To display the route on the map, click any segment in the directions.

   

Tip

To remove the route and clear the To and From fields, right-click to display the toolbar and then click the Clear Map button.

Tip

To reverse the directions and switch the To and From locations, click the Direction arrows to the right of the first field (A). This is handy because on your return trip you might find that the directions differ slightly due to one-way roads or other routing anomalies.

Adding a pin

You can add a pin to a map to mark it for future reference. You may want to add a pin for a location you know exists but does not appear on the map, such as a new building, park, library, and so on.

Add a pin

1. Open the Maps app.

2. Right-click the screen, and on the toolbar, click Clear Map, if applicable.

3. Right-click the screen, and from the toolbar, click My Location if the pin you want to drop is near your current location.

4. Right-click the screen, and click Add Pin.

   

5. Drag the new pin (an orange dot) from the App bar to the desired location.

   

Tip

After you set the pin, click the orange dot. From the resulting options you can get directions there, add it as a favorite, delete it, and more.

Try This

To add a location to the Start screen, click it first on the map, right-click to access the toolbar, and then click Pin To Start. Edit the name if desired, and click Pin To Start to confirm.

Marking a favorite

You can add locations to a Favorites list to more easily locate them again at a later time. When you have a list of favorites, you can manage them from the Favorites list.

Mark a favorite

1. Locate the destination to mark as a favorite on the map.

2. Click the Favorites icon. It is the icon with a star on it.

   

3. Right-click the screen and click Favorites (it’s on the top App bar).

   

4. Note the new entry.

Tip

To remove a favorite, repeat these steps. Favorites is a toggle; clicking it again will remove it. You’ll be prompted to verify this before it’s removed.

Try This

To manage your favorites, right-click the screen and click Favorites to access the list. Right-click any item in the list to edit it. You can also remove favorites here. Click Add Home to add your own address to Favorites.