Nowadays, if you are traveling to an unfamiliar place and need directions, chances are that you turn to the Internet instead of a printed map. While the 'old-fashioned' maps are still valuable and useful in their own right, the convenience of having access to an unlimited number of locations is also priceless. Mapquest was arguably the gold-standard of Internet mapping systems for many years. The website set a standard for features and capabilities that all other similar websites would imitate. However, rather than resting on their laurels, mapquest has continued to add new technology and improve the existing system to enhance the user experience.If your car is equipped with a hands-free safety communication services, MapQuest can be connected to this. Specific locations can be entered directly through MapQuest to your in-car system. This allows for a seamless flow of information from your computer to your car. It also enables people who have this subscription service in their car, to use MapQuest as their navigation system, without having to purchase an external GPS device.This past year, MapQuest has updated the look and feel of their map into a more streamlined design. For North American internet users, maps can be magnified to observe topography and vegetation landscapes. This will help travelers in unfamiliar neighborhoods to orient themselves more accurately. The map was also reworked to better emphasize which roads are major and which roads are minor. In big cities, building footprints were outlined to show the structure size in comparison to the surroundings. This allows for a sense of scale which is important when viewing the maps. Also, major subway stops were noted on the maps, which benefits public transportation users as well.MapQuest has introduced and provided out-of the-box software on a variety of mobile devices. The applications allow mobile phone users to have directions and map information right at their fingertips. The basic software is free, which allows users to view maps or create directions and business listings. The navigational software has a nominal fee per month, which allows the user to utilize a voice-guided turn-by-turn application on their phone. This is helpful for situations where the user needs a hands-free device to guide them on their route.The popularity of Internet blogs, picture-sharing sites, and other social applications have increased exponentially. The 'Embeddable Map' function in MapQuest permits users to update their sites with customized maps. If a user visits a notable attraction or dines at a restaurant, they may want to share it with their Internet family. A map can be tagged with these locations, along with any notes or details, and can be published on any site.Another aspect that MapQuest excels in is updating maps with information on current events and holidays. For Halloween, special maps were tagged with suggested places to visit, safe routes for children to trick or treat, and restaurants along the way. For July 4th, maps were created showing the best places to park and to watch fireworks, expected road closures, and traffic scenarios. These MapQuest updates are useful in planning not only our everyday lives, but special occasions as well.MapqQuest has the capability to include personalized widgets to add functionality for the user. For example, you can find useful widgets which search for restaurants, movies, local concerts, and so forth. One important widget is the 'Missing and Exploited Children' Widget which features pictures of missing children in your default location. This specialized map view can be instrumental in reuniting missing children with their families.These are just some examples of recent changes and advancements that MapQuest has undertaken. The developers have continued to make innovation a priority and it shows. MapQuest is one of the leaders in their field, creating a system that has yet to be truly replicated. The company has shown their dedication to constantly improve in the face of the changing Internet and world.
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