Skip to main content

New Google Maps beta lets business owners upload photos of their store

dump tower google maps 10 tips 0001
Google Maps is getting a bit of a refresh, especially if you own a business. The update does not show off a ton of new features, but there is at least one big update — a dedicated page for photos taken by business owners. That means if you are a business owner, you will be able to upload photos for people to see on Maps before they navigate to your store or outlet.

The update to Maps is still only in beta, so if you are not seeing the changes yet, that is probably because you cannot currently get it through the Google Play Store, according to a report from Android Police.

Recommended Videos

The update comes after another update that was launched in September by Google, which essentially allowed business owners to show off pictures of their food and drinks at their restaurants. This feature was seemingly successful and was likely the inspiration behind this new feature, which also lets business owners take other photos like the inside of their store.

While many business owners likely have yet to upload photos of their own to the page, that will change as time goes on and more become aware of the new feature.

Google has been moving more and more toward being able to offer information about businesses through Maps before a user ever needs to navigate there. Some users may have noticed that they have been asked questions about a restaurant or store after they visited a location — that information, such as whether or not a restaurant serves alcohol, is being collected by Google so it can eventually offer more information to potential customers.

The new beta also included a string of code that hints at another new feature — phone number verification. It is currently unclear why a user would need to verify their phone number within Maps, but we may likely find out in upcoming versions.

Christian de Looper
Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…
All the new Chromebook features quietly announced at Google I/O
A beta showing off Google's plans for Android and Chromebook app streaming.

At the annual Google I/O developer conference, Google announced several new features coming to Chrome OS later this year. The majority are designed to bring Android phones and Chromebooks closer together with cross-device synergies like communication and app streaming.

As discussed in a 23-minute-long breakout session video, one of the top talked-about features coming to Chrome OS soon is Camera Roll. With this one, you can open and share recent photos from your Android phone on your Chromebook. It will be coming "later this year" and will live in the Chrome OS Phone Hub. From there, you can simply drag and drop the listed photos as needed.

Read more
Google Wallet is back and it has some new tricks
A man stands on stage in front of a Google Wallet graphic.

If you've ever left your wallet at home, chances are you didn't know you forgot it until you started paying for your groceries or got pulled over by the police for speeding. The problems that come with forgetting your wallet will soon become a thing of the past thanks to the new Google Wallet for Android 13, not to be confused with the Google Wallet from the past.

Introduced at Google I/O 2022 on Wednesday, Google Wallet resembles Apple Wallet in that it allows users to carry their credit or debit card. This way, if you ever forget any of the physical payment cards at home, you can pull your Android device out and tap to pay for your groceries and other items at any retailer that accepts Google Pay.

Read more
Google faces lawsuit over controversial Play Store change
Google Play Store on the OnePlus Nord 2.

Google has started requiring all Android apps sold in the Play Store that use in-app payments to use Google's Play Store billing system and nothing else -- or leave the store. This hasn't gone down well with the Match Group, creator of dating services including Tinder and the eponymous Match. The company is now suing Google over monopolistic and anti-competitive actions, alleging irreparable harm to Match's business and calling the move to remove its app a "death knell threat" to their business.

Google had previously allowed Match's apps, including Tinder, to opt out of using the Play Store's billing system, but the company has changed its mind in recent months. Rather, it will be requiring all apps in the Play Store which support in-app Payments to use Google's Play billing system without the option of a third-party payments processor. This will exclude apps that sell physical goods like Uber Eats and Amazon, but ensnare those which sell digital goods like Amazon's Audible and Kindle apps. For Match, which had previously been allowed to run its own payment system side-by-side with Google's, the move comes as a slap in the face.

Read more