Google Maps Navigation in India, Biking in New Zealand and Street View in 150 Colleges

Google Maps is getting a series of updates in a row today, Google Maps Navigation is becoming widely available in India, New Zealand is getting bike directions and Street View is getting images for 150 university campuses worldwide.

Google regularly adds new data or expands the reach of certain features, but it generally does it over a wide time span.

"These improvements are part of our ongoing effort to build the best map we can -- one that’s comprehensive, accurate and easy for you to use," Google writes.

"First, we’re expanding Google Maps Navigation (Beta) with voice guided, turn-by-turn directions in thousands of towns across India," it says.

With traffic conditions being horrific in many parts of India, both in crowded cities and poorly maintained highways, turn-by-turn navigation is not only a nice thing to have, it's crucial, even more for tourists not accustomed to the traffic or the streets.

Google is also adding live traffic conditions for several major roads in India.

"Biking directions and Map Maker are also now rolling out to New Zealanders. Local cyclists can access biking directions directly on Google Maps, and use Map Maker to add bike lanes and trails if their favorite route is missing or they discover a new one," Google explains.

Biking directions have been expanding in a big way lately. The feature was rolled out in several places in Europe and Australia in the last couple of months, starting with the UK.

Biking directions were also enabled in the Google Maps Android app for 10 additional countries recently.

"We’ll also release new Street View imagery for more than 150 university campuses globally. With classes just getting started, freshman students, transfers and even empty-nesting parents can now familiarize themselves with college campuses around the world," Google added.

Street View imagery covers the world, quite literally, the Google team is going to the South Pole and the Canadian Arctic, but also to places closer to home, like college campuses.

The new imagery couldn't have come at a better time, just as students are getting ready for their first day of college.