Google Maps works without Wifi or Cellular Data!

I just confirmed something my daughter had to explain to me: Google Maps works even if you have no cellular or Wifi connection. That's pretty amazing*. It means that Google Maps is listening to and triangulating from the location information of the surrounding wifi servers, even if you can't actually connect to them. Then, even when you're walking around a strange city in Airplane mode, Google can tell you where you are.

Here's how it works. This morning, after connecting to our Wifi and finding myself in Google maps, I walked outside and went toward this gorgeous building called La Casa de les Punxes, which one might loosely translate as "The House with the Spikes". It was designed by one of the rather large group of amazing Catalan architects that are not Gaudí: Josep Puig i Cadafalch.

I've been in Airplane Mode since Wednesday as I convince AT&T to unlock my phone which is now no longer under contract. And there was no wifi where I was walking.



I walked a little farther, and happened upon a dollar store selling Catalan independence flags, and then some flags flying in balconies. Couldn't resist taking a couple of shots:



I got so distracted, I overshot the Casa de les Punxes. Pulled out Google Maps, and despite being in Airplane Mode and with no wifi, the map was still updated:



I looked up and there was the Casa de les Punxes, as gorgeous and spikey as ever:



So, if you're traveling in a foreign country and don't want to pay for data just to find your way around, now you know you don't need to. Pretty cool.

I also recommend pointing Google Maps to Puig i Cadalfalch's other masterpieces: the Casa Ametller, overlooked next door to the much more famous Casa Batlló of Gaudí's, or the Casa Martí, which houses El Quatre Gats, where Picasso used to chat with friends over a beer or two.

*Of course, this also means that Google is keeping track of your position, even though you think it can't. Something to keep in mind in this day and age.