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Google Maps Cheat Sheet: The Most Useful Tricks You Need to Know Ahead of the Holidays

Traveling home for the holidays? Use these Google Maps tricks to optimize your drive.

Using a navigation app like Google Maps is a must when you’re traveling anywhere — especially during a snowy holiday season when road closures can add hours onto your trip. Google Maps may help you avoid long commute times, traffic hazards, wrecks, tolls and other potential obstacles preventing you from getting home for the holidays on time. If you’re looking for extra tricks and tips to make Google Maps even more useful, we’ve compiled a list.

Check out all the ways you can use Google Maps to help you get to your destination, explore new areas and more. Also, check out these other CNET cheat sheets: Your complete guide to the Apple iOS update and your complete guide to the newest iPhone.

Google Maps tricks you’ll want to use ASAP

Google Maps has tons of not-so-easy-to-find features, but CNET has dug them up for you. Here are some favorites that you won’t want to forget.

Google Maps tips for the foodie

If you dine out frequently, you may have used some of these Google Maps tips in the past when planning a dinner night out. See what else you’ve been missing out on.

Google Maps tips for the frequent traveler

If you’re always on the road, learning a few Google Maps tricks can help you along the way. Here are several to use while traveling.

We’ll continue to add new Google Maps features here.

Technologies

Sony Hits the Brakes on Electric Cars With Built-In PlayStation Features

Two EV models that Sony was developing with Honda, the Afeels 1 sedan and an Afeela SUV, are now discontinued.

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Technologies

Samsung’s New Budget Galaxy A37 and A57: Improved Designs and AI Features

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Technologies

My 3 Favorite Bose Headphones Deals on Amazon Aren’t Actually From Bose

Baseus’ Inspire XH1, XP1 and XC1 headphones with Sound by Bose are up to 23% off during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. A bonus item makes the deal even harder to ignore.

I gave CNET Editors’ Choice awards to Baseus’ Bose-infused Baseus Inspire XH1 headphones and Inspire XP1 earbuds because they’re well designed and sound decent consider their prices. I also liked Baseus’ Inspire XC1 clip-on earbuds, which have dual drivers. They even earned a spot on CNET’s best clip-on earbuds list and are probably the best clip-on buds at their price right now.  

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale just kicked off, and it’ll be around through March 31. Right now, all three models are discounted to $100 to $123, bringing them near their all-time low prices. 

That’s a deal I’d highlight on its own, but if you click through to any of those models’ Amazon product pages and look closely, you’ll see that each is eligible for «one free item» with purchase. 

Read more: Best Wireless Earbuds of 2026

You must click the how to claim link first. Then click a button on the left side of the screen (above the stars for average ratings) to switch the view from «qualifying items» to «benefit items» and see the freebie. The items tend to be Baseus’ entry-level headphones or earbuds, but if you don’t like the free item option with a $120 purchase, you can try the options at lower prices.   

You can read my full reviews of the Inspire XH1 headphones here and the Inspire XP1 earbuds here. And here’s my quick take on the Inspire XC1 earbuds:

Like Baseus’ noise-isolating Inspire XP1 earbuds, which I rated highly, the Inspire XC1 have Sound by Bose and a more premium design than earlier Baseus earbuds. The XC1 don’t sound as good as the XP1, they’re decent open earbuds and are equipped with dual drivers (one is a Knowles balanced-armature driver that helps improve treble performance). While they don’t produce as much bass as noise-isolating earbuds like the Inspire XP1, their bass performance is better than I expected. The buds’ sound is pretty full, especially in quieter environments, though they do better with less bass-heavy material. I did notice a bit of distortion at higher volumes with certain tracks that feature harder-driving bass.

While I slightly prefer the design and fit of Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds, as well as the design of their case, and think the Bose buds sound more natural and a tad better overall, the much more affordable Inspire XC1 fit comfortably and offer top-tier sound for clip-on open earbuds, as well as decent voice-calling performance with good background noise reduction. And they play louder than the Bose, too.

You can grab the Inspire XH1 for $123, the XP1 for $100 and the XC1 for $110, saving you up to 23%. Just remember to claim your free item with your purchase.

Read more: Best Headphones We’ve Tested

For other audio deals happening now, our CNET shopping experts have rounded up headphones, speakers and earbuds deals across a variety of brands and budgets.

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