Google has announced a new update to Google Maps aimed at improving commute times There is one problem, however You won't be able to get to two of them before Thanksgiving gets busy

As announced in a new Google blog post, Google Maps transit directions will now allow users to quickly determine which transit directions are best based on estimated arrival time, number of transfers, and travel time Google will also allow users to select the desired transit Google also plans to add several filters to this feature to allow users to select the type of transfer they desire They can also limit the amount of time they have to walk

While the feature promises to reduce headaches during the busy holiday season, Google said the feature will initially only be available in 80 cities worldwide, including New York, London, Madrid, and Boston Google also stopped short of offering an exact launch date, saying instead that it will begin rolling out to iOS and Android "in the coming weeks"

Google Maps' list feature is designed to help users remember where they have been and mark places on the map with emojis Google said Wednesday (Nov 15) that the feature will be upgraded by allowing users to share their lists with friends and collaborate within the mobile Google Maps app

"Everyone in your group can add places they are interested in visiting," Google said in a blog post, "and vote with emojis like hearts if you think it's a must-see spot, or you don't want to visit Thumbs down for the place"

Google claimed that the feature will allow users to plan trips with friends more simply within the app than through long text message chains, and said the feature will be available "in the coming weeks" on Android and iOS as well

In its third and final announcement on Wednesday, Google said it is currently rolling out a feature that will allow users of its Google Maps app to add emojis to images, videos, and reviews that other users have placed on their location listings To use the feature, Google Maps users would go to the location and click on the review or media file They can then add an emoji Google also said the feature, which is currently rolling out to Android and iOS users, uses AI to examine photos and responses and provide emoji mashups

"All you have to do is respond with a delicious face to a photo of a new pumpkin bagel you'd like to try," Google said in a blog post" Like a mashup of delicious faces and bagels, the emoji reactions are automatically tailored to the content of the photo"

In its blog post, Google highlighted the evening Google Maps feature as a curtain raiser to the upcoming holiday season However, with the busy Thanksgiving commute just a few days away, it would have been nice if the new feature had been added in time for the holiday season; it is unclear if the new feature will be added to Google Maps for the December holiday season