Why Make Maps More Immersive?

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Studies have shown that relying on things like Google Maps or GPS to navigate makes it harder for people to do it themselves. So wouldn't making maps more integrated into our daily lives just make us worse at it? Well, I think it's always important to use all the rich information, but also be aware of where you are and use the ability to use information from a map and what's on your phone to help assist is really the right way when we think about this information being useful and helpful.

From paper maps to smartphone apps, the way people navigate the world has changed tremendously due to the rise of the internet. Google Maps is the fourth most popular mobile app in the U.S. by unique visitors, according to Comscore. That makes it more popular than Instagram, Tiktok and Spotify or its closest competitor, Apple Maps. Christopher Phillips, who runs Google’s Geo team and oversees Google Maps, speaks with WSJ’s Danny Lewis about how his company is thinking about the role maps play in bringing more information to our fingertips.