Google releases free addictive geography trivia game Smarty Pins

Google Maps has become a mainstay of the modern era to the point where there was a huge uproar when an iOS update once removed the popular app in lieu of Apple's lackluster proprietary navigation program. But Google Maps has done more than just help us get from point A to point B. It's been used in games. Notable examples include GeoGuessr and an April Fools promotional Pokémon pixel hunt, and now Google has released its latest map-based title with the trivia affair Smarty Pins.

Here's how it works: You're given 1000 points (called miles) at the off, then asked to pinpoint a location based on a trivia question. For every mile you're off, you lose a point. The game ends when you're out of points. See how many questions you can answer before this happens.

Additionally, you can actually gain points if you provide the perfect answer quick enough. Every question begins with a timer that counts down from 15 and if you get the location spot-on before the counter reaches zero, the extra seconds get converted into bonus points. Additionally, you can forfeit your chance at a bonus and accept a hint (which pops up when the timer reaches zero anyway).

My one complaint with the bonus system is that it often takes too long to zoom in and drop your pin on the exact location you want. An option to type in the locale instead would be appreciated.

The trivia game has a wide range of categories including: Featured Topics, Art & Culture, Science & Geography, Sports & Games, Entertainment, and History & Current Events. By default it selects a potpourri of all categories, but you can limit it to just the subject you're most comfortable with.

Smarty Pins may not be quite as mysteriously alluring as GeoGuessr, but it's still a ton of fun and absolutely free. Now go procrastinate on whatever it is you should be doing by playing Smarty Pins in your browser.