It’s the Real World—With Google Maps Layered on Top
Augmented reality navigation apps use smartphone cameras to get a detailed sense of where you are and put signs and arrows on top of the real world
Navigation apps are learning to use your camera to locate you far better than GPS ever could—and give you better directions to wherever you're headed. To test an early version of Google's AR mapping features, WSJ's David Pierce takes an augmented walk in San Francisco. Photo/Video: Emily Prapuolenis
My phone knows where I am at all times: There’s just no hiding from that blue dot in Google Maps.
Well, except for when the blue dot thinks I am across the street, or inside the restaurant two doors down. More than once, blue-dot issues have caused me to walk a considerable way in the wrong direction.
In fairness, even when GPS is screwy,...