Google Maps — Usability & Accessibility

The Google Maps app is my best friend. I can’t survive without it. It is easy to learn, easy to use and extremely useful. I would argue it’s the most useful app on my phone. Let’s put Google Maps through the LEMErS test.
Learnability:
Google Maps is pretty easy to learn. When you first open google maps, you’re greeted with a map that fills up the screen. The search bar is at the very top with a nice signifier “try restaurant, coffee” , allowing you to easily accomplish the task of finding the place you need to go.
Efficiency:
Once learned, users can quickly perform the task of finding how to get to where they’re going. When you click search, a dropdown appears with where you most recently went and suggested categories of general places you’d probably need to go like a convenience store.
Memorability:
When users return to the app after not using it for a long periods of time (though I don’t know how anyone can survive long without Google Maps), the app still has the signifier to help you get searching.
Errors:
One of the errors I make is if I had the transportation method set as walking, the next time I open the app, I forget to change it driving. I noticed that Google Maps does automatically change it sometimes but uncertain of the rules. But sometimes I’m driving and realize I have the walking directions on. I get confused as to why it’s taking me hours to drive to a grocery store. I’d suggest having a pop up if it’s over a certain time to confirm if I’d still want to walk. I do love that Google Maps has a pop up asking if you still want to go when a store is about to close, this saves a lot of time and energy.
Satisfaction:
Personally, I am extremely satisfied with Google Maps. Sometimes when I open an address and it goes automatically to the iPhone map (since I have an iPhone), I still copy and paste the location in Google Maps. Many of my friends use Google Maps as well. The features are great, in addition to the pop up mentioned before, I also love that when you select in a business location, you can call, go to the website, know when it’s usually busy and read reviews all on one page (with some scrolling). The directions are clear with arrows and lanes you should be in. The directions are clear with arrows and lanes you should be in.
In addition to LEMErS, I’d like to address Accessibility (now it’d be LEMErSA?):
Google Maps has the Google Voice functionality where you can tell it where you want to go without typing. The GPS voice directions is also very helpful when you’re driving. There are written directions if the car gets too loud for you to hear. The directions are clear with large arrows and lane options to point you in the right direction. And The background changes to dark at night to improve night vision, so your eyes won’t have to adjust between bright display and the dark road. How cool is that.
