Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.

Abstract: Presentation of navigation directions in mapping applications is customized by obtaining navigation instructions that direct a user from a starting point to a destination. The navigation instructions are displayed via a user interface. For each of the navigation instructions, an individually operable user control for specifying an instruction-specific presentation rule is provided. Instruction-specific presentation rules are received prior to the user departing from the starting point toward the destination. The navigation instructions are presented during navigation in accordance with the received instruction-specific presentation rules.

Abstract: As part of a technique for positioning viewports over interactive digital maps, a digital map of a geographic area is provided via a user interface of a computing device. The currently visible portion of the digital map is displayed in a viewport. A user gesture is detected, where the user gesture communicates a particular acceleration to the viewport, along a particular direction, to move the viewport from its current position to a target position over the digital map. A current user context for the digital map is determined. A new position of the viewport over the digital map is determined in accordance with (i) the user gesture and (ii) the current user context, such that the new position is different from the target position, and the viewport is moved from its current position to the new position.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.