A First Look at Google Maps' AR Future

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

More from the Wall Street Journal:

[atharvpatawar]

There should be a mode where you can put your phone in the front pocket of your shirt so it can see what's ahead and then process it and show the information and direction on your would be more cool and practical!!

[georgewrathall]

Love that they recommend not walking while staring at your phone and he’s doing that a dozen times in the video.

[trails]

Awesome! Finally walking directions for the masses.

[hyunjinpark]

Thirty years later:
Now featuring: Self-walking legs

[shysri]

didn't nokia or microsoft do something similar with Here Maps(?) years ago?

[shahhamza]

Make sure to add subtitles on every video.

[Heeeeeeeeeyz]

Isn't that VPS (Visual Positioning System)? why do you call it AR?

[fmslahore]

On a more serious note i think developers know what difficulty people face with current format....many people in difficult situation rely on google maps....good to see google bring more reliability into them

[Sam-ccmz]

Better way to get more data .... get your exact location

[cabovercartel]

Google should have a feature that you pay 9.99 for truck drivers that tells you weight specifications, bridges weight limits, tunnels, EAST COAST being so old. Get the point Commercial Vehicle Google feature

[kannakaruppasamy]

Just watching this video drained my phone battery.. :/

[ko]

this will come to inventory managment as well

[holodoctor]

Interesting but... I’ve never had an issue using gps + cell tower nav over a 2d map. I wouldn’t really hold my phone up in front of my face to get somewhere. It’s also kind of screaming “I’m lost” or “I’m a tourist” to would-be thiefs!

[ScrtieMcBgerballs]

It seems asking people for directions is a thing of the past now.

[stevensamuel]

I personally wouldn't use this, but I can definitely see the technological value in this tech and what it could inspire

[SaurabhSarang]

There was an app on Android back in 2010 called Layar

[importantname]

i want a humanoid robot to lead me every where - so that thinking is not needed.

No wait i want a robot to do the walking - so that no more walking.

No wait - i want direct feed from my brain to comments section on youtube - so that no more typing.

No wait - someone else should do my comment.

[zhubajie]

We need glass or some equivalent ASAP! I am so tired of people colliding into me because they are can't put their phone in their pocket.

[Steven-xfmz]

I feel like we're getting more stupid every year. on a normal sunny day(not snowing or raining), most people should be able to look at the google map for 1/2 minute, determine which side is north, and get a good sense of where your destination is, and able to get there 90% through before looking at the app again. However, it seems like simple stuff is getting tougher for us every passing day.

[Johanneslol]

This can be very helpful I think! :) Maybe with hololens 2?