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Tag: navigation

  • Simplifying its app for users, Waze removes one crowdsourced reporting choice

    Simplifying its app for users, Waze removes one crowdsourced reporting choice

    Can you believe that it has been nearly 11 years since Google bought Waze for more than $1 billion? Many people were confused at the time, and many still are, as to why Google made the acquisition considering that it owned the number one navigation app in Google Maps. Part of the reason was to allow Google to obtain some of the features that Waze offers but Google Maps doesn’t.

    The thing is that both navigation apps cater to different users. Google Maps not only shows you how to get from point “A” to point “B” quickly and safely, but it also shows you where to go when you arrive at “B” if you want a meal, need a hotel room, want to be entertained, need a cup of Joe, or want to visit a local landmark. Waze, on the other hand, is all about the journey, and instead of using data and algorithms, Waze depends on crowdsourced information that members of the Waze community share using their phones.

    According to Autoevolution, Waze has removed the option that users had to report when there is a “vehicle on road.” This was an important road hazard to know about since no one wants to be motoring along at the speed limit only to end up rear-ending the stuck car. But Waze wanted to simplify the reporting options and figured that users would understand that the new “blocked lane” option could also include a “vehicle on road.” After all, a vehicle stuck on a road is also usually blocking a lane.

    Based on a survey that was conducted by finance app MarketWatch, Google Maps is the most popular navigation app with 70% of respondents saying that they use the app for navigation. Waze was second as 27% of those surveyed admitted to using the app. Apple Maps, available only on Apple devices, is used by 25% of those surveyed.

    If you’ve never tried Waze, you might want to give it a shot. You can choose from a wide range of voices giving you the turn-by-turn directions including your own! If you have an iPhone, you can tap on this link to install the app. Android users can load the Waze app from the Google Play Store.

  • Google Maps update finally adds weather information on Android

    Google Maps update finally adds weather information on Android

    Google’s apps don’t always offer the same features on iOS and Android, but the Mountain View company is trying to not keep any important functionality exclusive to just one platform for too long.

    In that regard, one of the Google Maps features that were only available for iOS users was the weather and AQI widget overlay that provided much-needed information in real-time.

    Now the feature is finally making its way to Android, 9to5 Google reports. The update is rolling out in waves, so you’ll know you got the feature if you see a small rectangular box in the app’s top-left corner.

    It’s a very small box that only shows the temperature and AQI (air quality index). However, you can tap on the box for more detailed weather information, including a 12-hour forecast. The AQI part of the small widget shows the existing Air Quality map layer if you tap on it.

    Keep in mind that if you select anything else in the app, the weather box will disappear. Apparently, this update has started rolling out to Android users for a few weeks now, but it’s only been recently that Google decided to expand its availability, so expect it to arrive very soon if you don’t have it yet.

  • Enable this feature now so that Google Maps for Android will work when you’re in a tunnel

    Enable this feature now so that Google Maps for Android will work when you’re in a tunnel

    Driving inside a tunnel is often an issue for those using a GPS app to help them navigate because of the inability of the signals to penetrate the tunnel. You might think that this doesn’t really matter with a tunnel since there isn’t much to do inside one except follow the road. But there are other reasons as Google points out in a support page. For example, staying connected in a tunnel allows location services to work, increases driver safety, and gives the driver better visibility into what’s happening inside the tunnel in real time.

    Google-owned Waze connects with Bluetooth beacons inside tunnels in certain cities such as “New York City, Chicago, Paris, Rio, Brussels, Oslo, Sydney, Boston, Mexico City, and more.” Google says, “The Waze Beacons program provides seamless navigation to drivers underground where GPS signals don’t reach.” And now Google Maps will also support Bluetooth beacons according to SmartDroid.

    The feature is disabled by default, but we’re going to tell you how to enable it right now. First, to be clear, this feature is available on Android phones only and cannot be used with Google Maps for iOS. So from your Android phone open Google Maps. Tap the round profile icon on the right of the search bar on the top of the phone. That opens a menu and you should then tap on Settings > Navigation settings and scroll down to the Driving options heading and look for Bluetooth tunnel beacons and toggle it on.

    The listing says, “Scan for Bluetooth tunnel beacons to improve location accuracy in tunnels.” Once you enable the feature, you will have to allow Google Maps to “find, connect to, and determine the relative position of nearby devices.” This feature appears to have been available for some Android users since last October but has recently been found on more Android devices.

    Follow the directions in the previous paragraph to enable the feature and if you see the listing titled “Bluetooth tunnel beacons,” it means that you do have the feature available for Google Maps. It appears on my Pixel 6 Pro running Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3.

    If you do drive through tunnels often and use an Android phone, you might want to take a second to enable this feature.

  • Google Maps update will allow you to erase all traces of your visits, searches, and more

    Google Maps update will allow you to erase all traces of your visits, searches, and more

    An update from Google is adding some new features to Google Maps which Google discussed today in a newly posted blog. Right now, when you use Google Maps, your Location History is disabled by default. But when you do enable it, your driving activity is stored in the cloud and can be viewed in Google Maps’ Timeline feature. The Timeline feature in Google Maps will help you remember the places you’ve been to. After the update, your activity will be stored on your device although you’ll be able to update it to the cloud as an encrypted backup if you want to; with the encryption, even Google won’t be able to see your Location History.

    But keep in mind that Google is making a huge change in the amount of time that you can store your Location History before it is automatically deleted. Instead of holding this data for 18 months like it used to, Google will delete the information after just three months unless you want to keep the data for a longer period of time. You can even turn off the auto-delete controls if you’d like. These changes will be rolling out to Google Maps on both iOS and Android over the next year.

    Over the next few weeks, Google Maps users on iOS and Android will be able to delete place-related activity from Maps. Here’s how Google explains this: “Say you’re planning a surprise birthday party, and you get directions to a nearby bakery to pick up the cake. Soon, you’ll be able to see all your recent activity on Maps related to the bakery in one central place, and easily delete your searches, directions, visits, and shares with just a few taps. No one will know that you visited the bakery and the party can remain a surprise.

    While removing a location from your Timeline doesn’t get rid of all of the evidence showing that you visited a certain location, with this update you’ll be able to remove all traces of your visit to a specific location.

    When you first open the Google Maps app, there is a blue dot on the map that represents your current location. Pressing on the dot now will allow you to share your location, and even use a shortcut to save your parking spot. But soon you’ll be able to press the blue dot and see if your Location History or Timeline settings are turned on and whether you have given Maps access to your device’s location. This feature will be disseminated over the next few weeks for the iOS and Android versions of Google Maps.

  • Waze launches new safety feature for drivers

    Waze launches new safety feature for drivers

    Waze announced this week that a new safety feature is now making its way to the navigation app’s users on both iOS and Android devices. The especially important new feature will allow drivers to see a road’s crash history before they start their journey.

    Unsurprisingly, the safety feature is powered by AI (artificial intelligence), but the Waze community does have a contribution in this too. According to Waze, the crash history alerts provided by its app combine historical crash data and important information about route.

    Depending on typical traffic levels, whether it’s a highway or local road, elevation, and more, a road can be more or less prone to crashes. Thankfully, Waze’s new feature takes into consideration all these aspects and provides you with an alert in case it decides that the road you are going to drive on is dangerous.

    The new safety feature has been implemented in a way that allows drivers to keep their eye on the road all the time, even when they receive an alert from the app. In fact, Waze announced that it has limited the number of alerts drivers see, and they aren’t shown at all on roads they regularly navigate.

    Crash history alerts should now be available for all Waze users on mobile, regardless of their location.

  • Google Maps update brings Immersive View for routes to select cities

    Google Maps update brings Immersive View for routes to select cities

    Google continues to upgrade key features of its app with the help of the AI. Previously announced at Google I/O this year, the AI-powered feature called “Immersive View for routes” is now available in select cities on both Android and iOS devices.

    With Immersive View for routes, Google Maps users will be able to see every segment of a route before they start driving, walking or cycling. Google’s new feature uses AI “to fuse billions of Street View and aerial images together to create a rich, digital model of the world.”

    Instead of seeing a flat route on your screen, you’re now immersed in a multidimensional experience that not only allows you to visualize every segment of a route, but also bike lanes, sidewalks, intersections, as well as parking.

    Starting today, Immersive View routes is available in the following cities around the world: Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Paris, Seattle, San Francisco, San Jose, Tokyo, and Venice.

    In addition to bringing Immersive View for routes to select cities, Google announced deeper Lens integration for more accurate navigation. Maps users can now tap the Lens icon in the search bar and lift their phone to find information about nearby ATMs, transit station, restaurants, coffee shops and stores.

    Starting this week, deeper Lens integration is coming to more than 50 new cities including Austin, Las Vegas, Rome, Sao Paolo and Taipei.

    Last but not least, EV drivers on Android and iOS will now see more helpful charging station information starting this week. That includes whether a charger is compatible with their vehicle and whether available chargers are fast, medium, or slow. This feature will start rolling out globally on Android and iOS this week wherever EV charging station info is available.

  • Google Maps now allows users to find their favorite places faster using emojis

    Google Maps now allows users to find their favorite places faster using emojis

    With the Google Maps app, you can tap the Saved tab on the bottom of the screen to create lists of places where you want to go or your favorite places. Just the other day Google posted on its Google Maps’ X account that thanks to a new update to the app “you can customize your saved places with emojis to help you find your fav spots faster.” The emoji are the same ones available in messages so you can use a food emoji, a sports emoji, or any emoji you wish to symbolize a place that you’ve saved.

    To add an emoji, open Google Maps and press the Saved tab at the bottom of the screen. This won’t work with the default lists that come with Google Maps such as “Want to go,” “Favorites,” “Travel plans,” “Labeled,” and “Starred places.” You’ll have to create your own list or edit an existing one you created. In a video shared by Google on X, a new list named “Fav Coffee Spots” is created. Select an emoji for the list, which in this case is a cup of coffee, and add a description. Now, add the spots you want to add to the list.

    Once you’ve filled out the list, when you see one of these spots on Google Maps and are close to the location, you’ll see the name of the place with the chosen emoji next to it. If you zoom out on the map, you’ll see only the emoji. We assume that Google made this change because, unlike a pin stuck in a map, an emoji can convey more information to the user. Using emojis, you’ll be able to quickly determine if a certain spot on a map is one of your favorite coffee houses, a favorite ice cream parlor, or a burger joint you visit often without having to tap on the location.

    With so many emojis to choose from, the user can use them to find his/her favorite spots faster on Google Maps.
  • Google Maps tests the use of some colors that copy Apple Maps

    Google Maps tests the use of some colors that copy Apple Maps

    While Google Maps is still considered the top mapping and navigation app for mobile devices, Apple Maps has made an incredible turnaround after the fiasco that was the original launch of the service back in 2012 with the release of iOS 6. Apple was forced to start from scratch to revise the app and has done a pretty decent job of doing so, And now Google appears to be testing some new color options for Google Maps that match some of the shades used by Apple Maps.
    Google Maps is testing a lighter blue color to represent water and any difference to the hue used by Apple is very minor. On the other hand, Google appears to be moving away from Apple by using a darker green color to indicate areas like parks and forests. Previously, Google and Apple both used a lighter shade of green to represent such areas.
    But Google Maps is also testing the use of gray, instead of white, to signify a road, and dark gray to represent a highway. All of these color changes being tested bring Google Maps in line with Apple Maps’ color scheme. And if you use Dark theme on both apps, Google Maps’ implementation of it remains darker than Apple Maps. Dark theme on the mapping apps is an acquired taste with some drivers complaining that it is harder to view the maps on the apps using a darker background
    You can go into the settings for both apps and keep them in Light mode if that is what you prefer. Additionally, Google Maps is also giving the driving directions at the top of the screen a darker green background color although you will have to use it under real-world conditions to see what impact the darker color has on you.
    The updated version of Google Maps is reportedly rolling out today to Android users although it has yet to hit my Pixel 6 Pro running Android 14 beta 5.2.
  • Google Maps on Android Auto gets a design tweak that will help drivers on the road

    Google Maps on Android Auto gets a design tweak that will help drivers on the road

    Google Maps is rolling out a new design for the Maps app on Android Auto. The new design adds a sidebar to the Maps experience in your car where controls live.

    Previously, map controls were only displayed when you interacted with the map. But with the new design, the controls are always visible in a translucent bar on the left side of the screen.

    The new translucent bar’s controls include zoom, changing the map’s orientation, changing what is said out loud by the assistant, and access to additional settings.

    The new design appears to be in its testing stages although some users already report seeing it on Android Auto v10 and v9.9 with Google Maps v11.90. This version isn’t live yet for everyone and it is not yet clear if the new design will be available for older versions of Android Auto.

    The new Android Auto design has a very significant benefit: It makes it easier to access map controls while you’re driving since they are now positioned closer to the driver — at least in the U.S. — and you no longer have to fumble around with the touchscreen to find the controls you need. Even if you’re not familiar with the app, this new design makes the most used controls more visible and easier to get to.

    Note, though, that this view only shows up when the app takes up the full screen and not when it uses the Coolwalk split-view redesign that Android Auto introduced a few months back. This also follows a redesign of how the Google Assistant appears in your console, showing more consistency with what you see when you use the Assistant on your phone.

    This tweak to Maps on Android Auto is a welcome improvement. It makes it easier to use Maps while driving, providing a more consistent look and feel across Android Auto apps.

  • Changes made by Apple is making iPhone users switch back to Apple Maps from Google Maps

    Changes made by Apple is making iPhone users switch back to Apple Maps from Google Maps

    Apple Maps was something of a mess for a long time, prompting users to download Google Maps instead. Things are finally getting better though and iPhone owners are beginning to appreciate the changes that Apple has made to its maps app.
    Google Maps used to be the default mapping app on the iPhone and iPad but that changed after iOS 6 was announced. Apple Maps had many bugs including misplaced labels for landmarks and businesses and missing roads in cities. The user experience was so bad that Apple CEO Tim Cook had to issue an apology for the frustration it caused.
    Apple Maps has improved to the point that many people are sticking with it instead of switching to Google Maps.
    Changes such as an attractive design, clear public transit direction, faster routes, and better management of the unpredictability of subway outages than Google Maps is making people like Jason Rabinowitz who switched to Android to use Google Maps more easily come back to Apple’s ecosystem.
    Jane Natoli, who considers herself a Google Maps power user, says she has started using Apple Maps more after her iPhone prompted her to use the app in an airport. The app was able able to detect that she was at the airport and recommended shops and restaurants in her terminal. Natoli also liked that it had clearer information than Google Maps. She also thinks that it’s easier to read Apple’s find directions when compared to Google Maps.
    Georgia Tech graduate Angelica Nguyen says that roads are easier to look at on Apple Maps and the view is not cluttered by points of interest.
    Even though the iPhone comes preloaded with Apple Maps, most users have downloaded Google Maps as an alternative, according to Canalys. But Apple Maps is more deeply integrated into iOS and services that need direction use Apple Maps.
    People generally like to use default options, according to user-experience consultant Peter Ramsey. So now that Apple Maps has improved, people have no reason to download Google Maps.
    Google Maps is still considered the better option by some when they are driving. And Apple still has a lot of work to do. Costume-design student Laura Pladziewicz says that Apple Maps misguided her when she was in Boston. Law student Noah Abdelaziz said the app suggested a route that lengthened his commute.
  • Town asks Waze to stop sending traffic to its residential roads

    Town asks Waze to stop sending traffic to its residential roads

     Crowd-sourced navigation app Waze has been asked by authorities in Southern Shores, North Carolina to stop sending traffic through residential streets which it does to help users avoid bumper-to-bumper traffic on the main roads. The problem with doing this is that it leaves the local, residential roads overcrowded. In these quiet neighborhoods, the additional traffic causes pollution, and noise, and can lead to accidents.
    While the officials in Southern Shores, North Carolina tried to find a solution including closing some roads, this led to drivers getting stuck on some other streets which caused major congestion. But the local council in Southern Shores feels that it has taken back control by passing a resolution that asks Waze to stop directing traffic to residential streets by removing these streets from the Waze routing system. This would essentially keep traffic on the main roads.
    Elizabeth Morey, the mayor of Southern Shores, had a Zoom meeting with two Waze employees and they agreed to make the changes once the aforementioned resolution is adopted. While all of the details are unknown, Waze has agreed to stop drivers from “seeing where it’s faster to go through town streets.” This will probably lead Waze to remove residential areas from its routing models leading drivers to stay on the main roads. This could lead to more traffic congestion as cars would stay on the same road.
    Mayor Morey also says that transitioning to residential streets does not make driving any faster although she did not cite any data that would prove this statement. The report suggests that the mayor was pointing out that the speed limits on residential streets are typically lower than the ones allowed on major roads. As a result, drivers usually are forced to drive slower on residential streets.
    While the resolution in Southern Shores, North Carolina appears to focus on Waze, it is unclear whether it will eventually be amended to include other navigation apps such as Google Maps and Apple Maps.
  • Google unveils new useful features for Google Maps

    Google unveils new useful features for Google Maps

    Google is constantly looking to improve Google Maps. No longer just an app that helps you get from point “A” to point “B” quickly and safely, Maps will now recommend places to eat, hotels to stay at, and fun things to do when you arrive at point “B.” It will even show you landmarks to visit. And Google Maps will always show you where to get gas, a cup of coffee, groceries, and more.

    Today, Google announced some changes to its Maps app that make it more immersive when it comes to looking around to get the feel of a place or, as some call it, the lay of the land. Immersive view will combine Street View with aerial images and will show weather and traffic info on top to give users “a rich, digital model of the world.”

    Google gives us an example. “Say you’re planning a visit to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. You can virtually soar over the building and see where things like the entrances are. With the time slider, you can see what the area looks like at different times of day and what the weather will be like. You can also spot where it tends to be most crowded so you can have all the information you need to decide where and when to go.”

    Continuing with the example, Google adds, “If you’re hungry, glide down to the street level to explore nearby restaurants — and even take a look inside to quickly understand the vibe of a spot before you book your reservation.” Immersive view starts rolling out today (displayed in alphabetical order) in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo.

    Google’s AR-powered Live View takes a live feed from your phone’s camera and layers huge arrows and other information on top to help those walking get to their destination while at the same time, pointing out interesting buildings and landmarks around them. A couple of years ago, Google added Live View to indoor locations such as airports in the U.S., Zurich, and Tokyo (not displayed in alphabetical order). The feature helps travelers roaming an unfamiliar airport find the bathroom, car rental stands, lounges, and more.

    Today, the company announced that it will add Live View to 1,000 new airports, malls, and train stations over the next few months in Barcelona, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Melbourne, Paris, Prague, São Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, and Taipei.

    Search with Live View uses both AI and AR to help you find ATMs, restaurants, parks, and transit stations while walking. To activate it, hold the phone up while walking the streets. The info you will see is very useful as it will show you “when a place is open, if it’s busy right now, and how highly it’s rated – so you can make an informed decision and maximize your time.”

    Google recently started offering search with Live View in London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, San Francisco, and Tokyo. Over the next few months, Google will add the feature in Barcelona, Dublin, and Madrid.

    Google Maps will soon give you “glanceable directions.” This will allow a user to track his journey from the route overview or the lock screen. You will see information like updated estimated arrival times and where you will make the next turn.  Previously, this data would only be shown once you unlocked your phone, opened the app, and used the comprehensive navigation mode. This feature will be disseminated to Android and iOS devices in the coming months.

    Google Maps is also adding new features for Electric Vehicles (EV) that have built-in Google capabilities. For example, on any trip that will require a stop at a charging station, Maps will recommend the best place to stop based on the current traffic, the current charge level of the EV’s battery, and forecast battery consumption. If the recommended charging stop is not convenient, it can be replaced with another upcoming stop with just a few screen taps. With this feature, EV drivers won’t have to keep worrying about stopping to charge regardless of the destination.

    EV drivers will also be able to tap the ‘very fast’ charging filter to find stations that use chargers of 150 kilowatts or higher. This should allow most cars to top off the battery and get back on the road in less than 40 minutes. And under search results, Google will now show when places like supermarkets have a charging station to help you pick up your groceries while charging the battery in your EV.

  • Google Maps adds another nifty feature for Android and iOS users

    Google Maps adds another nifty feature for Android and iOS users

    Google Maps has already become a trusty companion for many Android and iOS users as the app is no longer just helps them navigate busy traffic. Less than a week ago, Google announced that Maps will be able to monitor air quality across the United States so that you can plan your outdoor activities accordingly.

    We’re pretty sure many more new features that might not have something to do with navigation will be added to the app, but the most recent one will definitely help you fully focus on your driving without having to think about … tolls.

    Starting today, Google Maps will show toll pass prices on both Android and iOS platforms. It’s a nifty feature that will allow users to choose which road to take, either it’s going to be the shorter route needing a toll pass, or the longer road that won’t cost you a dime.

    According to Google, the new feature will display the estimated toll price to your destination before you even start driving, which is possible thanks to the company’s partnership with local tolling authorities. The algorithm that presents you with the road choices and toll prices factors different variables such as having a toll pass or not, what the day of the week it is, as well as how much the toll is expected to cost at the specific time you’ll be crossing it.

    More importantly, the new feature comes with a toggle within settings that will allow users to make it show toll prices with or without having a toll pass, since the price changes based on the payment method you use in many regions.

    Also, Google Maps users will retain the ability to avoid routes crossing toll road completely, if possible, by choosing the “Avoid tolls” option within settings.

    As far as availability goes, Google announced that Maps users on Android and iOS should start seeing toll prices for about 2,000 toll roads in the United States, India, Japan, and Indonesia. It’s probably not much, but Google said more countries will be added in the not-so-distant future.

  • Apple Maps Have Now Improved Driving And Navigation Functions

    Apple Maps Have Now Improved Driving And Navigation Functions

    Apple Maps have also received small update at WWDC 2022. Apple announced that its mapping service will soon support multi-stop trips and users will be able to plan their route on the Mac version of the app and send it to their iPhone. Apple has also announced that the Maps app will get an updated look in a number of cities providing a 3D view.

    Apple revealed at WWDC that multi stop routing lets you plan up to 15 stops in advance. There is also Siri integration that makes it easy to add stops to the route when you’re already on the road.

    There are new public transit features as well in iOS 16. Now more than the fare, users will be able to add transit cards to the Apple Wallet. Users can also reload the transit card balance without leaving the Maps app.

    The redesigned maps app debuted first in 11 countries first in 2021. Now another 11 countries are being added which include France, Switzerland, New Zealand, but there is no India in the updated list.

    The redesigned 3D City feature offers more detailed roads, landmarks and other locations. Apple is adding Las Vegas, but is also adding Miami, Chicago and Sydney.

    Apple is offering an application programming interface which will allow third party apps to integrate its maps. Apple showed off how Zillow had integrated the new immersive view while browsing homes.

    Apart from this, Apple announced a major update for CarPlay which now supports multiple screen sizes and multiple screens going beyond the infotainment system adding support for the functions of the instrument cluster. Apple announced that cars by big automakers like Renault, Ford, Mercedes, Volvo and Honda will be launching vehicles based on this system later next year.

  • Waze starts offering new celebrity in-car experience

    Waze starts offering new celebrity in-car experience

    Waze runs all sorts of collaborations to bring its customers different content each month. This time around, the navigation app is bringing Waze users a new celebrity in-car experience that puts famous singers front and center.

    This particular collaboration is aimed at Kehlani fans, as the American singer, songwriter and dancer is now bringing their music to Waze users all over the world. The new Kehlani experience includes two Moods that are inspired by the singer’s music and road-trip musts.

    The first one is called Flowing Mood and is inspired by Kehlani’s latest album, Blue Water Road, while the second is the Captivating Mood, which is said to represent the camera Kehlani keeps close all the time while on the road.

    Additionally, the new in-car experience features Kehlani’s signature vehicle, El Kehmino, which is inspired by their own ’81 El Camino. Finally, Kehlani curated a Spotify playlist that users can stream through the Waze Audio player.

    The celebrity in-car experience is now available on Waze for a limited time with voice navigation in English. To install it, tap “My Waze” in your app to find the “Drive with Kehlani” banner.