Google launches Trips, a free travel app that works in offline mode
It will also act as a city guide for more than 200 places across the globe and can make personalised recommendations.
Google on Tuesday launched a new travel app that claims to be a one-stop solution for travellers. Google Trips can access all travel documents including tickets, hotel reservations and navigation maps. The free app, which is available on both Android and iOS platforms, also acts as a city guide for more than 200 places across the globe and makes personalised recommendations, reported The Verge.
Google has said the app works in offline mode also. Google's Vice President of product management Richard Holden told The Verge that they hope Trips will become "the default way for travellers" to plan a trip and "get around the town". He said, "We really need to help consumers when they're actually at their destination."
Google Trips' biggest competitors will be Yahoo Radar, TripIt and TripAdvisor, reported USA Today. All the apps suggest places to visit and nearby restaurants in particular cities. According to The Indian Express, the efficiency of the app will depend on the location because the content is user-generated.
How the app works
The user first needs to create an upcoming trip by assigning dates on the app. Once the tickets are booked and hotel reservations are made, the reservations tab on the app will get updated using emails. The 'things-to-do' tab will help plan a trip itinerary using suggestions made by the app. The location of places can also be be saved in a ‘saved placed’ folder that can be accessed in offline mode. The saved places will show up with maps, phones numbers and reviews. The app also has a 'need-to-know' tab with local emergency.