Technologies

No Internet? That’s Fine, You Can Still Use Google Maps on Your Phone

Take Google Maps offline if you ever get lost and don’t have service.

A couple weeks ago, my friends and I got lost while driving back to our cabin in Mariposa, near Yosemite National Park. A major snowstorm had just swept through the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and so many busy highways, streets and smaller roads were shut down. We wanted to save time on our drive, so we decided to take a shortcut (bad decision) — and of course we soon realized we were heading the wrong way. To top it off, none of us had service, so we couldn’t even use Google Maps to find our way back.

Don’t miss: Google Maps Cheat Sheet: The Most Useful Tricks You Need to Know

Eventually, after hours of trying different roads, we managed to get to our cabin, but we could have avoided all that trouble by simply downloading Google Maps offline (and also by not taking that «shortcut»). Even without internet service, Google Maps can still help you navigate where you need to go — you just have to download the correct map.

If you’re planning a trip somewhere you may not have internet service, you should download a map (or several) offline on Google Maps. Here’s what you need to know.

Want to check out other Google Maps tips and tricks? Check out how to blur your house on Google Maps and three new Google Maps features you’ll definitely want to know about.

How to download Google Maps offline

First off, you don’t need to download Google Maps in its entirety. Instead, before your trip, you’ll want to download a specific area, which could be a city, county or region where you’ll be spending time and might not have service on your phone.

To download a map in Google Maps offline, open the Google Maps application on iOS or Android and tap your profile picture on the top right (you must be logged in to your Google account for this to work). In the menu that appears, tap Offline maps > Select Your Own Map.

Use your fingers to place the map you want to download within the confines of the rectangle border. Use one finger to move across the map, and a two-finger pinch to zoom in and out. As you move around the map, you’ll see how much storage space the download will take up on your phone. Once you’re happy with the area, tap Download.

Note: Alternatively, you can type a city or other area into Google Maps and then hit the Download button that appears in the pull-up window to download the map offline, but this only works on the iPhone.

You must be connected to Wi-Fi to download the map. If you want to download over cellular, go to the Offline maps page, tap the gear icon on the top right, tap When to download offline maps and select Over Wi-Fi or mobile network. Once your map is downloaded, you’ll be sent back to the Offline maps page, where you can see all your offline maps.

Now you’ll be able to use Google Maps even when you’re offline in the area you downloaded — and in that area only. You won’t get extremely accurate travel times or alternate route options because traffic and other road issues are not accounted for, but you will get a general ballpark of how long your trip should take. Transit, bicycling and walking directions are also not available offline — only driving directions.

If you want more tips on Google in general, make sure to read which Google Home settings you need to change ASAP and this deep dive on Google’s Pixel 7 and the settings you should customize.

Technologies

A ChatGPT Screenless Phone Could Be Coming, as OpenAI Reportedly Eyes Jony Ive’s AI Startup

Ive, the designer of the iPhone, has a startup that’s reportedly developing a range of AI-powered devices.

ChatGPT maker OpenAI is reportedly looking into a potential acquisition of an artificial intelligence startup co-founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The deal could exceed $500 million, according to The Information.

The venture, called io Products, is developing a range of AI-powered technologies including a screenless phone concept and smart home devices, the publication said. io Products has denied that a phone is in development, however, and OpenAI didn’t respond to a request for comment.

The closely guarded AI hardware initiative was first reported by The New York Times in September. Ive — who is renowned for designing the iPhone, iPad and other iconic Apple products — said he was partnering with Altman to create a new AI-driven computing device aimed at being «less socially disruptive than the iPhone.»

Although few specifics have emerged about the device, Ive and Altman have reportedly secured early-stage backing from investors, including Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Funding was expected to reach $1 billion by the end of last year, according to The New York Times.

In addition to acquisition talks, OpenAI is said to be exploring strategic partnerships with the venture. If a deal materializes, OpenAI would gain access to both the underlying technology and the core engineering team.

The report arrives as the AI voice assistant landscape grows, with OpenAI, Google, Meta and others racing to advance their AI chatbot offerings. A deal could also tighten OpenAI’s integration with a hardware player.

Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom — founded after his departure from Apple five years ago — is spearheading the device’s development. The company, co-founded by renowned luxury designer Marc Newson, a key contributor to the Apple Watch, includes former Apple executives such as Tang Tan, who led iPhone hardware design. LoveFrom’s client list includes brands like Airbnb and Ferrari.

OpenAI would ‘maintain its lead’ in AI

Jitesh Ubrani, a manager at market research firm IDC, told CNET a move into hardware would enable OpenAI to continue expanding across various platforms and make a stronger push into more environments.

«By partnering with a hardware startup, OpenAI can help maintain its lead across these other device types and usage scenarios,» Ubrani said. «Until the launch of AI, smart home hardware innovation [started] to plateau and by combining forces, the two companies could also benefit from growth in this space by injecting AI into the home.»

Technologies

An iPad Instagram App Might Actually Be Happening

The social media platform has long focused on its smartphone app, which looks clunky on tablets. That may be about to change.

Meta may be working on a dedicated Instagram app for the iPad, nearly 15 years after making a decision not to launch one. The social media giant is reportedly now developing an iPad-friendly version of Instagram, according to The Information.

Instagram has long existed solely as a smartphone app, though it is also accessible via its website. The move could mark a shift in Meta’s mobile strategy and offer Instagram users a more immersive experience on iPads. The timing also would coincide with Meta’s broader push to better compete with TikTok.

TikTok’s legal status in the US remains in limbo. US President Donald Trump recently extended the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok to an approved US buyer by another 75 days but the app’s fate is still uncertain.

Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but in the past has downplayed rumors it would launch an iPad app, saying it wasn’t a priority. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, tweeted in February 2022 that «it’s still just not a big enough group of people to be a priority.»

«Hoping to get to it at some point, but right now, we’re very heads down on other things,» Mosseri added in February 2022.

A year later, Mosseri echoed that sentiment as the company focused on building out Threads. He also previously said expanding the app to more platforms would add costs and emphasized that the team is «leaner than you think.»

It’s possible, however, that interest has shifted. The company is also reportedly considering spinning off its Reels feature into a stand-alone app as it works to improve recommendation algorithms and support longer Reels, according to The Information.

In addition, Instagram recently launched a video editing app called Edits, which bears a strong resemblance to ByteDance’s CapCut, and has reportedly tried to lure TikTok creators with cash bonuses ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

Sol Messing, a research associate professor at NYU’s Center for Social Media and Politics, told CNET that Meta may see strategic value in optimizing for larger screens beyond competing with TikTok. Messing was previously an employee of several tech companies, including Meta and X.

«There isn’t much data out there on iPad TikTok use, but they have continued shipping updates to [the TikTok app], suggesting they think the benefits outweigh the costs,» he said.

Messing pointed to a few studies suggesting more screen real estate might translate to more engagement, productivity and higher levels of attention.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sunday, April 13

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 13.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword wants to know a lot of «Big (Color)» expressions, so hope you’re up on that. 8-A also threw me off — while I’ve heard the abbreviation they wanted, it didn’t come right to mind. Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: State sch. founded by Thomas Jefferson
Answer: UVA

4A clue: Flower containers
Answer: POTS

6A clue: «Crib» or «pad,» for «house»
Answer: SLANG

8A clue: Pants, informally
Answer: TROU

9A clue: Company nicknamed «Big Blue»
Answer: IBM

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Company nicknamed «Big Brown»
Answer: UPS

2D clue: What «V» stands for on a battery
Answer: VOLT

3D clue: Big name in 1980s arcade games
Answer: ATARI

5D clue: Stuck-up sort
Answer: SNOB

7D clue: Big Red, e.g.
Answer: GUM

How to play more Mini Crosswords

The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day’s Mini Crossword for free, but you’ll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.