Google Maps for Apple Watch Now Live With Latest Update

[MacRumors]

Google in August announced the launch of a new Google Maps app that's designed for the Apple Watch, and at the time, Google said that it would be rolling out "in the coming weeks."

The Apple Watch app has gone live based on reports from Reddit users who downloaded the latest iPhone update and were able to install the Google Maps app on the Apple Watch.

The Google Maps app for Apple Watch mirrors the directions that have already been input on the iPhone, and there is no option for getting directions directly on the Apple Watch. It is reliant on the iOS version of the app, but provides access to saved destinations such as work and home.

The app offers turn-by-turn directions along with ETAs so you know when you can expect to arrive to your destination. Multiple travel modes, including navigation with car, public transit, bike, or by foot are available, and there is a Google Maps complication that can be set up.

Google Maps can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Google Maps for Apple Watch Now Live With Latest Update

 

[jlocker]

Boy so many cool things coming out for the Apple Watch, got to upgrade my old Apple Watch 0.

 

[ericg301]

does it tap-for-turns?

 

[javisan]

does it tap-for-turns?

It is supposed to as it warns you about it the first time you use it. However, it did not work for me. Maybe it is because I was also using CarPlay.

 

[QCassidy352]

I wish you could see your location on the map (not in navigation mode), as you can with Apple Maps on the AW. Not sure how helpful this current implementation is.

 

[TwoBytes]

No map view??

 

[coachgq]

As much trouble as Apple Maps caused in its infancy, I’m much happier using it now over google or Waze.

 

[crawfish963]

Definitely not handing over all of my GPS data to Google. Same reason I don’t use Chrome, Google Photos, their search engine, or any of their other products or services.

 

[lartola]

I wish you could see your location on the map (not in navigation mode), as you can with Apple Maps on the AW. Not sure how helpful this current implementation is.

Looks like Google dodn’t learn the lesson. The lack of the ability to see onés location on the map was exactly why people never used google maps on the watch and Google ended up removing the watch app. Now they relaunch the app and make the same mistake over again.

 

[yurc]

Definitely not handing over all of my GPS data to Google. Same reason I don’t use Chrome, Google Photos, their search engine, or any of their other products or services.

Well....you can actually using any of Google service without being sacrificing privacy by using them unsigned, without account.

 

[mrr]

I just upgraded Google maps on my phone but it does not show up in my watch app or on my watch. Could it be because I have a Series 0?

 

[lartola]

As much trouble as Apple Maps caused in its infancy, I’m much happier using it now over google or Waze.

YMMV depending on where you live. If you’re in the US Apple Maps could be better, but if you’re in Europe or Latin America you won’t be able to use half the features of apple maps because they’re US exclusive and will end up using Google Maps instead because you do get all the features there.

 

[bodonnell202]

YMMV depending on where you live. If you’re in the US Apple Maps could be better, but if you’re in Europe or Latin America you won’t be able to use half the features of apple maps because they’re US exclusive and will end up using Google Maps instead because you do get all the features there.

Apple maps is also terrible in Canada. A lot of the info is years out of date - most people are still using Google maps here.

Edit: removed the original hyperbole

 

[barry kushner]

Apple maps is also terrible in Canada. A lot of the info is years out of date - everyone is still using Google maps here.

Wrong. Have you data to support saying an entire country is not using Apple Maps? I love Apple Maps where I live in Canada.

 

[TechRemarker]

"The app offers turn-by-turn direction"

Does it vibrate a certain way to indicate an upcoming left turn and another vibration for an upcoming right like Apple Maps? As that for me has been one of the main benefits of using apple watch with apple maps that wasn't an option with other map apps.

 

[Peepo]

Notifications don’t appear on watch. Using public beta so could be the reason.

 

[crawfish963]

Well....you can actually using any of Google service without being sacrificing privacy by using them unsigned, without account.

Sure, until a forensic extraction has been done on your device. Source: detective who works on cases involving cell phones and GPS data for a living.

If you used Google services, it’s in your phone.

 

[BWhaler]

5 years after the launch of Apple Watch. And I’m sure it spies on us in ways not discovered yet.

Pathetic.

 

[bodonnell202]

Wrong. Have you data to support saying an entire country is not using Apple Maps? I love Apple Maps where I live in Canada.

Ok sorry, maybe my hyperbole was not warranted. I don't know anyone that uses Apple Maps here. Doesn't change the fact that business info and road data is often years out of date here (in Calgary - the 4th largest city in Canada).

 

[intervenient]

Now do Gmail.

 

[Charlie.V]

I stopped using Google maps a while back specifically because they dropped watch support. Fortunately I found Citymapper is better in the cities they cover for transport directions anyway. I like that they tell me which part of the trains to sit in and which station exits to use. Saves loads of time. I only check out google maps for business reviews.

 

[samuelpegg]

Ok sorry, maybe my hyperbole was not warranted. I don't know anyone that uses Apple Maps here. Doesn't change the fact that business info and road data is often years out of date here (in Calgary - the 4th largest city in Canada).

I also use Google Maps here in Canada for one simple reason — offline maps. I live in Thunder Bay and there are many areas near here with no cell service. Apple’s cached route is not the same as a true offline map.

 

[apparatchik]

YMMV depending on where you live. If you’re in the US Apple Maps could be better, but if you’re in Europe or Latin America you won’t be able to use half the features of apple maps because they’re US exclusive and will end up using Google Maps instead because you do get all the features there.

Exactly, flyover, look around, subway stations exits, airport indoor maps, up to date POI's, bike directions, are all missing features here in Mexico City even as it is the largest city in the Western Hemisphere and its airport the busiest in LATAM and 30th in the World.

2020 and we still dont have Apple Pay here, Samsung Pay launched two-three years ago. Ive never used my iPhone's NFC chip. And lets not start with all the other services like say Apple News. Dont get me wrong, Apple devices are best in class and Im pretty happy in general, but, when you buy into the Apple ecosystem outside the US, you get half the advertised features, so to speak. Google's and Microsoft's presence in LATAM is substantially better.

 

[otternonsense]

Finally! I never understood why they pulled their support from the Watch to begin. I frequently use Apple Maps for navigation while cycling, I think it's pretty handy taking a quick glance at the watch, but the route accuracy in European cities is still not 100% compared to Google Maps. Curious about the cycling feature that will roll out with the next Watch OS though.

 

[fruitpunch.ben]

Im just not sure I need the i7 over i5, but I guess its probs the best value configuration out there if im going to keep it for 5-6 years anyway

Apple maps is also terrible in Canada. A lot of the info is years out of date - everyone is still using Google maps here.

Wrong. Have you data to support saying an entire country is not using Apple Maps? I love Apple Maps where I live in Canada.

Here in Vancouver the route directions are mostly fine on Apple Maps, although I end up wrong about 1 in 20 times - versus basically never on google maps. It's searching for destinations where Apple Maps is garbage. Half the stores just do not come up. If I'm looking for a store (e.g. banks, Starbucks in an area) I know enough now to just go straight to Google maps. Plus having cycling directions on the watch will be great - when I replace my broken Series 3 hopefully with a Series 6 with much better battery