Surprisingly Helpful Google Maps Update Shows Restaurant Wait Times

Looks like we might have to actually download the new version of Google Maps for iOS instead of postponing the update until the end of time. 9to5Mac reports that the latest version—4.47, for those keeping track—now displays wait times at more than a million restaurants around the world, helping us determine whether we'll be subject to a 10-minute or hour-long wait for some hyped burger.

The app now displays the average wait at the time of day you're searching, and also lists the peak hours for wait times at that particular restaurant. Currently, the restaurants with the feature are clustered in major cities like New York, LA, Hong Kong, Moscow, Singapore, etc., but the app promises more cities are on the way.

Because I hate waiting in lines, I've typically had to do unscientific recon before checking out some buzzy new spot. This used to involve texting friends who had already eaten there, maybe even going slightly out of my way to check out the lines at the restaurant on my commute home, etc. Creepy, yes, and a giant waste of time! Thanks Google, for introducing a feature that actually solves a real problem. Now, if Apple could just get to work on releasing those crumb-free keyboards.