Navigating with Google Maps in your iPhone and Apple Watch will quickly get simpler because of a extra detailed map, a devoted watchOS app and different new options.
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Google Maps navigation is getting simpler on Apple Watch with a standalone app
A extra detailed navigation map with streetlight information, estimated toll pricing, and so on.
Different perks embody a pinned journey widget, with Siri integration due sooner or later.
5 new navigation features coming to Google Maps
These enhancements will likely be accessible when navigating with Google Maps:
- Beginning navigation from the wrist through a standalone watchOS app
- The power to see estimated pricing for toll roads when navigating
- An enhanced navigation map with streetlight information and different particulars
- A brand new Maps widget for pinned journeys and a a lot smaller search widget
- Looking out and getting instructions with Siri, Highlight or the Shortcuts app
1. A standalone Apple Watch app
As talked about, Google is giving the Apple Watch some love with a standalone watchOS app coming quickly to allow you to begin a navigation session proper from the wrist. At the moment, you’ll be able to’t try this—a navigation session should begin in your iPhone. To start out navigating even sooner, the brand new watchOS app will present a brand new “Take me dwelling” complication. Add it to your watch face so you’ll be able to shortly begin the navigation dwelling on Google Maps.
2. Estimated toll pricing
When navigating on routes that require taking toll roads, Google Maps will show toll costs for the primary time. This can assist you to resolve whether or not you must keep on a route with toll roads or take a toll-free route (if one is accessible, Maps will present you). To keep away from toll roads throughout navigation, hit the three-dotted menu on the top-right nook of your instructions, then select “Keep away from tolls.” Google estimates toll costs primarily based on trusted data from native tolling authorities and components such because the time of week, fee strategies and so forth.
3. A extra detailed navigation map
A extra detailed navigation map with extra granular particulars is accessible in some cities. You’ll get pleasure from enhanced streetlight information alongside your route, constructing outlines and enhanced particulars for areas of curiosity. “And in choose cities, you’ll see much more detailed data,” Google explains, corresponding to the form and width of a highway, together with medians and islands.
4. New dwelling display widgets
Google is bringing a brand new pinned journey widget together with an up to date Google Maps search widget that includes a smaller consumer interface. With a fast contact of the brand new pinned journey widget, you’ll be able to immediately entry any journeys pinned within the Go tab to shortly begin navigation, see the arrival time, the following departure in your transit journey and extra.
5. Siri integration and different perks coming sooner or later
Google has additionally laid out among the enhancements that will likely be coming to the Maps app sooner or later, together with asking Siri for instructions (“Hey Siri, get instructions,” “Hey Siri, search in Google Maps, ”and so on.). The app may even be built-in with Shortcuts, letting you employ Google Maps options in your individual iOS automation workflows. Lastly, Google Maps is integrating immediately into Apple’s Highlight function.
When will Google launch the brand new navigation options?
Toll pricing estimates will arrive in April for roughly 2000 toll roads within the US, India, Japan and Indonesia, with extra nations coming quickly. The improved map is launching in choose nations throughout iOS, CarPlay, Android and Android Auto within the coming weeks. As for a standalone Apple Watch app, anticipate it to launch in about a couple of weeks. The brand new pinned journey widget, together with the smaller Maps search widget, is scheduled to launch within the coming weeks. Primary integrations with Highlight, Siri and the Shortcuts app will begin showing within the coming months, with enhanced Siri search performance coming later in the summertime.
Clearly, this can be a staggered rollout. Due to this fact, examine again in a couple of days or even weeks when you don’t see the brand new options within the up to date up to date Google Maps app on the gadget.