New York: Google Maps continues its stride towards user convenience with the introduction of new features, including “Glanceable directions”, which now display essential information directly on the lock screen. This feature, initially unveiled in February, is gradually rolling out to users worldwide, offering real-time ETA updates and turn-by-turn directions right at their fingertips.
As reported by Android Police, the latest Google Maps update (version 11.116 for Android and 6.104.2 on iOS) brings this feature to users across various devices, enhancing their navigation experience. With Glanceable directions enabled, travelers can effortlessly monitor their journey progress, view estimated arrival times, and receive upcoming turn notifications without unlocking their phones.
Moreover, this update introduces the ability to access route overviews, even without initiating detailed directions by tapping the Start button. This proves particularly handy for verifying routes in familiar locales. Additionally, Maps now dynamically recalculates routes if users deviate from the prescribed path while walking, driving, or biking, ensuring accurate navigation previews throughout the journey.
It’s worth noting that the Glanceable directions feature is disabled by default. To activate it, users can follow these steps:
- Open the Google Maps app.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings.”
- Scroll down to “Navigation settings.”
- Toggle on “Glanceable directions while navigating
Meanwhile, Google Maps undergoes an exciting AI-driven evolution, introducing several immersive features to enhance user experience. Recent or upcoming additions include:
- Immersive View: Offering detailed route exploration for driving, walking, or cycling, Immersive View provides users with visual turn-by-turn directions and time sliders for planning departures. This feature is currently available in select cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, New York, and Tokyo.
- Lens in Maps: Formerly known as “Search with Live View,” Lens in Maps integrates AI and AR to offer contextual information about surroundings. By tapping the Lens icon and lifting the phone, users can discover nearby landmarks like ATMs, transit stations, and restaurants. This feature is expanding to over 50 new cities, including Austin, Las Vegas, and Rome.
- Navigation Enhancements: With a focus on mirroring the real world, Google Maps’ navigation undergoes improvements in colour representation, building details, and lane guidance, providing users with a clearer understanding of their route.
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: EV drivers can now access real-time information about charging stations, including compatibility, charging speed, and recent usage data, directly within Google Maps.
