In the event you’re something like me, you’ve turn into completely reliant on the maps app in your cellphone to get round.
For me, and for many different Android cellphone customers, it’s Google Maps, however you might choose Apple Maps for those who use an iPhone.
Nowadays, they act like all-in-one guides to just about the entire world, combining detailed mapping with navigation, person evaluations and even the power to make bookings.
Nevertheless, they’re removed from excellent. When assembly pals or household, the principle difficulty I run into is discovering that the marked location on Google Maps is completely different to actual life. In consequence, I’ve usually been unable to search out the folks I’m assembly, and have resorted to vaguely describing my environment on the cellphone.
We at all times discover one another ultimately, however it causes loads of frustration and pointless stress. We’ve usually booked one thing for a particular time and don’t have a couple of minutes to waste.
In fact, there are some places by which describing your environment received’t be a lot assist in any respect. In the event you plan to fulfill in an enormous park, navigating to it on Google Maps will take you roughly to its centre. From there, your descriptions of concrete paths, bushes and open inexperienced areas received’t be a lot assist.
Luckily, an answer is obtainable within the type of What3words. Because the title suggests, it’s assigned a novel mixture of three phrases to each 3-metre sq. of the planet – together with all land and oceans.
So, as an alternative of a obscure location to fulfill, reminiscent of exterior of Financial institution tube station in London (which has no fewer than 16 entrances and exits!), you possibly can pinpoint the precise spot that works greatest for everybody.
Foundry
Foundry
Foundry
Discovering the three phrases on your chosen location is straightforward. Simply obtain the free What3words app for Android or iPhone, then seek for any location.
This may be as particular as you’d like – What3words recognises postcodes/zip codes, place names and factors of curiosity, similar to Google Maps and Apple Maps. Alternatively, simply allow location providers to see precisely the place you might be.
From there, tapping any spot on the map will carry up its distinctive three phrases. What3words says that these have been randomly assigned and don’t have any hidden which means.
From the app, they are often shared with anybody, saved for future reference or navigated to instantly, although the latter depends on one thing like Google Maps or Apple Maps for turn-by-turn instructions.
One other cool function means that you can take a photograph of your environment, then assign a What3words sticker to it. That is excellent for sharing on social media (assuming you’re in a public place), permitting others to search out the identical location simply.
Nevertheless, the usefulness of What3words goes far past avoiding getting misplaced assembly family and friends. It’s superb for couriers to ensure they’ve the suitable entrance or emergency providers to search out precisely the place you might be. Many corporations actively encourage utilizing it.
What3words is primarily a cellular app, however it additionally works on Apple Watches operating watchOS 8 or later and smartwatches operating Google’s Put on OS 3 or later. Some automobile and bike makers have constructed its performance into their navigation programs, too.
The one actual draw back of What3words is that it solely works at floor stage. In the event you’re misplaced in a multi-storey shopping center or tall constructing, it received’t provide help to.
However in just about each different navigation state of affairs, it’s extraordinarily useful. And as a free app, you possibly can simply attempt it for your self on Android or iPhone.