Google Maps Finally Rolls Out Glanceable Directions

[MacRumors]

After more than a year since announcing the feature, Google Maps is finally rolling out glanceable directions on Android and iOS (via Android Police).

The feature allows users to view turn-by-turn directions and a live ETA directly from their device's lock screen – information that was previously only visible when a phone was unlocked.

Glanceable directions also work on the app's route overview screen that appears after launching directions, before users tap the Start button. Google Maps will show directions, live ETA, and even update the route if the user takes a different path, as shown in the GIF embedded below.

Glanceable directions are off by default, but can be enabled in the app's main settings, under Navigation. In our tests on iPhone, the setting only appeared after switching Google accounts, suggesting the feature is still rolling out. However, we are still not seeing support for Live Activities in iOS, which was promised a year ago.

Google first announced glanceable directions last February, and in June said the feature was rolling out that month for walking, cycling, and driving directions on Android and iOS, including compatibility with Live Activities in iOS 16.1.

Based on assets recently unearthed by MacRumors in an earlier version of the app, Google Maps continues to work on integrating Live Activities support for iPhones, but when we'll actually see it at this point is anyone's guess.

Article Link: Google Maps Finally Rolls Out Glanceable Directions

 

[RealE]

Navigation data will be collected to improve Maps for everyone

Is this an always thing for Google Maps or just unavoidable with the glanceable directions feature?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Maybe it’s me but I find Google Maps to be very “busy” these days. I was a die hard Google Maps fan but in the metro area I live in, Apple Maps is actually better in some cases and the map interaction is simpler. Now if Apple Maps ditched Yelp for Google Reviews then it’s game over.

 

[zapmymac]

As long as G-Maps keeps pushing Apple to refine *their* maps, Apple users win either way. I have not used G-Maps in years though. My last cross country roadtrip in the usa I downloaded HERE Maps app JUST for their off-line option...which Apple now has as well 👌

 

[zach-coleman]

I didn’t even know Google had this ability. I thought it was exclusive to Apple Maps or something. I wonder what their engineers even do all day, there’s no world where this actually took that long to develop.

 

[StudyFlo]

Maybe it’s me but I find Google Maps to be very “busy” these days. I was a die hard Google Maps fan but in the metro area I live in, Apple Maps is actually better in some cases and the map interaction is simpler. Now if Apple Maps ditched Yelp for Google Reviews then it’s game over.

Apple Maps is soo much cleaner these days.
4 Buttons and a search-sheet combination in Apple Maps vs. around 15 buttons, a search bar, a nav bar, and a sheet in Google Maps...

 

[kirky29]

I didn’t even know Google had this ability. I thought it was exclusive to Apple Maps or something. I wonder what their engineers even do all day, there’s no world where this actually took that long to develop.

Ponder how to incorporate Gemini into maps lol

 

[Strebor]

I'd like Google navigation notifications/instructions on my watch (like Apple maps does). Walking and cycling.

 

[LightProtector]

I’m testing it out right now, but I don’t see it on my Lock Screen?

 

[freediverx00]

I didn’t even know Google had this ability. I thought it was exclusive to Apple Maps or something. I wonder what their engineers even do all day, there’s no world where this actually took that long to develop.

Google is in full ******tification mode. They have already saturated their addressable market and they suck at product design when they aren't just copying Apple. So their clueless executive team now justifies their outrageous compensation by laying off workers and cancelling projects, and by chasing whatever the latest trend may be with Wall Street analysts, jumping from crypto to Ai.

 

[freediverx00]

Apple Maps is soo much cleaner these days.
4 Buttons and a search-sheet combination in Apple Maps vs. around 15 buttons, a search bar, a nav bar, and a sheet in Google Maps...

You forgot to mention all the obnoxious ads.

 

[Canyda]

The fact that Google Maps still doesn't support traffic reporting on CarPlay remains a baffling decision.

 

[SouthBronx187]

Maybe it’s me but I find Google Maps to be very “busy” these days. I was a die hard Google Maps fan but in the metro area I live in, Apple Maps is actually better in some cases and the map interaction is simpler. Now if Apple Maps ditched Yelp for Google Reviews then it’s game over.

 

[QuarterSwede]

For what it’s worth, this was on by default for me. I also don’t notice any difference. But that could be because I only use Google Maps to search (so I’m not used to its navigation). I use Apple Maps to navigate.

 

[richard4339]

However, we are still not seeing support for Live Activities in iOS, which was promised a year ago.

Wonder if this will include the turn by turn on Apple Watch like Apple Maps.

 

[gaximus]

Apple Maps is soo much cleaner these days.
4 Buttons and a search-sheet combination in Apple Maps vs. around 15 buttons, a search bar, a nav bar, and a sheet in Google Maps...

If Apple Maps would fix the "Search here" thing, were it should just search in the area I'm currently windowed to, then I'd never have a reason to open Google Maps. Sometimes I'll scroll/pinch/zoom to an area I'm going to be in, in the future, then search for something, and it'll decide to go back to my current location and start looking there. So annoying, and makes the App useless for that search.

 

[jjudson]

I have made the decision to detach myself as much as possible from the Google universe. I'm probably late to the game, but this company is becoming pretty evil. I changed all my logins that used Gmail addresses to Apple iCloud addresses. I removed YouTube from my devices. I've used DuckDuckGo for search now for years. My last app was Google Maps, but I thought to take a second look in quite some time at the Apple Maps app instead. It looks to me that it's improved substantially, so -- as of yesterday -- I've deleted Google Maps from all my devices.

I'm hoping I didn't miss some little spyware somewhere. But in a real way, I feel pretty good about moving away from this dark entity...

 

[rorschach]

You'd think Apple's own app would support Live Activities too, but for some reason it doesn't. I still prefer Apple Maps overall though.

 

[Speed38]

Maybe it’s me but I find Google Maps to be very “busy” these days. I was a die hard Google Maps fan but in the metro area I live in, Apple Maps is actually better in some cases and the map interaction is simpler. Now if Apple Maps ditched Yelp for Google Reviews then it’s game over.

Indeed. Google suffers from the more-is-better syndrome. They jam so much crap onto the screen that if makes it difficult - and therefore dangerous - to glance at the map while driving.

 

[Speed38]

Maybe it’s me but I find Google Maps to be very “busy” these days. I was a die hard Google Maps fan but in the metro area I live in, Apple Maps is actually better in some cases and the map interaction is simpler. Now if Apple Maps ditched Yelp for Google Reviews then it’s game over.

I want to use/like Apple Maps, because I have an Apple Watch, but I find - occasionally - Apple picks the goofiest routes imaginable. I have fabulous area knowledge because for 20 years I had a driving job which took me all over the Metro area in which I live, don't even need GPS/Map help, but sometimes turn it on to see if I can learn anything. Sometimes I do; mostly I already know the route they are going to pick.

 

[Speed38]

I’m testing it out right now, but I don’t see it on my Lock Screen?

Article says it's still rolling out. I can't find it either.

 

[falainber]

Apple Maps is soo much cleaner these days.
4 Buttons and a search-sheet combination in Apple Maps vs. around 15 buttons, a search bar, a nav bar, and a sheet in Google Maps...

The only thing I can see on this AM is that there is a river in Verona.

 

[Lee_Bo]

The fact that Google Maps still doesn't support traffic reporting on CarPlay remains a baffling decision.

Yeah, I'd love to be able to report traffic backups like you can in Waze, but Google does (at least for me) inform me of traffic issues and offers alternate routes.

 

[Lee_Bo]

I have made the decision to detach myself as much as possible from the Google universe. I'm probably late to the game, but this company is becoming pretty evil. I changed all my logins that used Gmail addresses to Apple iCloud addresses. I removed YouTube from my devices. I've used DuckDuckGo for search now for years. My last app was Google Maps, but I thought to take a second look in quite some time at the Apple Maps app instead. It looks to me that it's improved substantially, so -- as of yesterday -- I've deleted Google Maps from all my devices.

I'm hoping I didn't miss some little spyware somewhere. But in a real way, I feel pretty good about moving away from this dark entity...

I feel that same way about getting away from Google. I jumped on the iOS17 beta train to give Apple's offline maps a try as I use Google Maps exclusively just for the offline feature. Still haven't moved 100% to Apple Maps (maybe because I'm still used to using Google) but I'm working on it. I do like Apple's offlime map sizes better than Google.

 

[Canyda]

Yeah, I'd love to be able to report traffic backups like you can in Waze, but Google does (at least for me) inform me of traffic issues and offers alternate routes.

I read a good piece last week that noted that Google is vastly reducing the usefulness of their Maps reporting feature by not including it on CarPlay given how CarPlay is basically a default option on most vehicles these days. I can't disagree with that.

All that said, I use Apple Maps anyway.