Supporting Asian-owned businesses in your community

When I was 5, our family moved from New York City to the countryside outside of the city. My brother and I were the only kids of Asian descent in our elementary school. Our father was born in Yamaguchi, Japan to a Japanese mother and American father, and I always felt proud of that — but in this new environment, I instantly felt different. These early experiences showed me just how important it is to show up for and with communities. Over the past two years, COVID-related small business closures and targeted acts of violence have reinforced the importance and impact of allyship — and have underscored how critical it is to support historically marginalized communities, including our Asian community.…

Googlers for climate: meet Lisa Arendt

Based in Zürich, Lisa is Product Partnerships Manager for Maps. She helps partners to integrate their charging station locations into Google Maps, which makes recharging as seamless as possible for e-drivers. And by seamless, she means that charging should be as easy, safe and reliable as it is with petrol- or diesel-powered cars. She grew up in a small village near Schwerin, where she still goes to unwind. “There were no buses there. Just one empty street and maybe 20 houses. It’s the kind of place where you had to make do with a bicycle,” she says. She doesn’t even own a car. “In Zürich, you just don’t need one.” But today, she owns three bicycles: “A mountain bike for…

Three new Maps updates to help plan your next adventure

Who’s got those summertime feelings? If the warmer months have you feeling extra inspired — and excited — to get outside and explore with friends, Google Maps can help you transform the way you coordinate plans and stay connected this summer and beyond. Whether you’re checking out top landmarks in a new city, planning to hop on your bike, or hanging out with friends around town, these updates have you covered. Experience global landmarks in a whole new way The summer travel season is in full swing, and people are turning to Google Maps to plan their trips and find helpful information about places they plan to visit — like what time a place is open and how crowded it…

I’m excellent at planning vacations — steal my tips

I once read that the happiest part of traveling is the planning, and I couldn’t agree more. Before I board a plane, I spend hours researching and documenting the what, where and how of my vacation. Over the past two years I’ve traveled far less than usual, but this year my husband and I decided to go to Italy. It was our first time there, and one of our biggest trips since COVID hit, so I took prepping to a new level. Here’s how I, a self-proclaimed travel nerd, used Google tools to get ready for my getaway. Get everyone on board with Google Slides. About a month before our trip, I realized we’d done it all wrong. We weren’t…