The phase of quarantine is becoming very challenging with every passing day. But, the ones who are at home should consider themselves lucky because that’s all it takes to be safe. We should be grateful to all the police officers and medical professionals who are risking their lives to save the world. But, amongst all this chaos, our heart still longs for something extra. The memory of your last pizza bite might have just started fading. Yes, craving for good food has become a real struggle these days. But, at any cost, we shouldn’t step out of the house. Many online food delivery companies are primarily keeping their services close. Because let’s admit it the emergency services are what we need in this hour. But, it seems like Google has paid heed to the Monday blues or in this case quarantine blues. So, Google Map launched new shortcuts in its app to help people find takeouts from where food delivery service is available. Google’s new announcement has turned out to be a lifesaver for millions of people. Especially for those who weren’t able to come home due to the lockdown.
The perfect timing
It will remain questionable if Google was already planning to release this new feature. But, even if it wasn’t, there could not be any perfect timing. People are locked up in their houses, especially the hostellers and young employees. No one but them used to be dependent on the service of online food delivery. So, they will be highly benefited by this. And, the common people would also like the taste of something different during this monotonous life.
What is the new feature?
The Indian government has done a very appreciable job by collaborating with Google. This new feature has highlighted the shortcut button on the main user interface of the app. Previously Google Map already had the feature of showing the nearest restaurants, coffee shops, gas stations, etc. But, the highlighted option for takeout and delivery is what recently been added.
The COVID-19 pandemic followed by the lockdown has pushed Google to do it. Because when many people casually use the app, they may skip out this small button at the corner. But, now it will be of utter advantage to the people of India. The new feature will show all the takeouts near your location that can provide delivery. Apart from India, this new feature is also available in the United States and some other countries.
The support from the Indian government
This new feature is not only for relishing good restaurant foods at home. It will also help deliver food at your doorsteps during the time of emergency. The Indian government in collaboration with Google India and Smart Cities has decided to launch this new feature. In the beginning, 31 cities all over the nation will get access to this feature.
The Google Map app will show Public Food shelters and Public Night shelters. This will improve the condition of feeding the nation’s people. The options of “Food shelter near me” and “Night shelter around me” will pop up on the screen. From here one can proceed to order food.
How this will work?
Well, you should know one thing that Google Map already had the option of takeaways. But, what is new is the highlighted shortcuts. Some people might have the confusion which Google has cleared. The process of ordering is pretty simple. You go to the app and select the area where you want to check the service of takeaway and delivery. It’s up to you which service you are going to take.
But, it’s better to not step out of your house. So, delivery will be a safe option for everyone. After the area is selected, the particular shortcut will display the entire list of restaurants near the selected area. It will only show the locations that can provide either takeouts or delivery. In the case of foreign countries, clicking a particular restaurant can send you to the website of GrubHub. From there you can order food and enjoy your meal.
But, in India order can be directly accepted in most restaurants from Google Maps. The shortcuts are made available on iOS, iPad, and Android.
Annasha Dey is an NIT student, who apart from studying engineering is also a content writer. She has a great interest in photography, writing, reading novels, and travelling as well. She is a foodie who loves socializing and hanging out with her friends. She is also a trained Kathak dancer and a big fashion enthusiast. Dey also loves watching TV series, which includes F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and Big Bang Theory. To be a better writer she prefers to read more