Alternative routes: If you're actually being brave enough to hit the streets and try to get somewhere, Google is also factoring alternative ways to get to your destination. If it works, you shouldn't have to argue with your phone about whether you can turn left down a street or not. It will also be updating closures and detours in real time, so you shouldn't be caught flat-footed if something unexpected happens.

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Meet me here: Google is also touting the feature in Maps that allows users to share their locations with one another. You can drop a pin at your location and share that via text with friends. That could make it easier to coordinate with out-of-towners who might try to meet you at the right intersection — in the wrong quadrant. (Happens all the time, even to native pizza delivery men!) It could also come in handy if you unexpectedly get separated — something that could be really scary in a crowd.

Google has directions on how to share your location here. Tap and hold your spot on the map to drop a pin. Once you've done that, a place name should appear — by default, it will be"Dropped Pin” or may suggest the place nearest to where you are — and you can tap on that place name to find the “Share” option.

If you're not a Google Maps user but are an iPhone user, you can do something similar. Start a text message and hit the little “i” icon next to your recipient's name. From there, choose “Share my Location.” If you're sending that information to another iPhone user, you can also choose to continuously share your location for an hour, until the end of the day or indefinitely.