Google Maps for iOS Gains More Detail, Toll Estimates, and Standalone Apple Watch Support

[MacRumors]

Google today updated its dedicated Google Maps app for iOS devices, introducing several new features that will improve the navigation experience on iPhones.

There is a more detailed navigation map that Google says is designed to make it easier for people to drive on unfamiliar roads. Google Maps will show traffic lights and stop signs along the route, and enhanced details like building outlines and areas of interest.

In select cities, Google will provide even more information, such as the shape and width of a road, including medians and islands. The feature is rolling out to iOS and CarPlay users in select countries "in the coming weeks."

On drives that involve toll roads as part of the directions, Google Maps will now provide an estimated toll price before you begin navigating. Google will look at factors like the cost of using a toll pass or other payment methods, along with what day of the week it is, to provide an estimate.

Google will show both toll routes and toll-free routes, and users can still use the "avoid tolls" toggle to always see toll-free routes. Toll prices will be available for 2000 toll roads in the U.S., India, Japan, and Indonesia this month, with support in other countries coming soon.

Google is adding a new Apple Watch experience that will let users get directions on Google Maps directly from the watch. In a few weeks, Google Maps users will be able to tap on the Google Maps shortcut in the Apple Watch app and then start navigation without the need for a connected iPhone. There's also a "Take me home" complication that's coming to make it easy to get quick directions back to a set location.

There are also several other updates that will improve Maps on iOS. Google is adding a new pinned trip widget that will let users see trips that have been pinned in the Go Tab right on the iOS Home screen. The widget will display arrival time, the next departure time for a transit trip, and a suggested route when driving.

The existing Google Maps search widget will be updated to be smaller, and soon, Google plans to add Google Maps integration directly into Spotlight, Siri, and the Shortcuts app. Once set up, users can say "Hey Siri, get directions" or "Hey Siri, search in Google Maps" to use the new functionality. These features will start to be available in the coming months, with enhanced Siri functionality coming later in the summer.

Article Link: Google Maps for iOS Gains More Detail, Toll Estimates, and Standalone Apple Watch Support

 

[jonnysods]

The AW support would be interesting - but I'm trying to avoid GM and try AM exclusively. Trying hard to avoid Google but it ain't easy.

 

[Canyda]

Alternate headline: Google Maps catches up to Apple Maps in key traffic functionality.

Here's a question I have never definitively had answered: Is Google Maps PROHIBITED by Apple and/or Apple's infrastructure from including the traffic/hazard/police reporting functions in CarPlay? Or its its omission from CarPlay a choice on Google's part?

 

[DocMultimedia]

Wherever I do long trips I always do Google maps one way and Apple the other. Apple has drastically improved and I think I use that one more often now.

 

[RedTheReader]

Inb4 “Why use Google?! You want your data stolen and sold to the butterfly living in the third chimney down the lane?! HUH?! Do yuh?!”

I use Apple Maps because I prefer the UI and it works dependably in my area, but man, doesn’t telling people who’re using Google services what they already know get old?

 

[coolfactor]

When Apple Maps gained traffic light and stop sign symbols, it was a HUGE leap forward in navigation friendliness! Love that feature, and I'm surprised that Google Maps was behind on implementing that. I've seen it in other mapping solutions.

 

[Canyda]

When Apple Maps gained traffic light and stop sign symbols, it was a HUGE leap forward in navigation friendliness! Love that feature, and I'm surprised that Google Maps was behind on implementing that. I've seen it in other mapping solutions.

Yeah, I'm pretty much Apple Maps exclusive these days but I will absolutely try Google's implementation of it to see how it compares.

 

[somethingelsefl]

Google Maps is the smart kid in classes who does everything right, but tattles on the kids.

Apple Maps is the attractive kid in the corner that everyone likes only because the don’t want to deal with the other kid who tells on them all the time

 

[xbankaiz]

In my country, Google Maps is the king but Apple Maps has improved a lot. Until there is feature parity with what the people in the US get vs the rest of the world, I'll be using Google Maps, especially with the new toll features. I really miss Nokia Here Maps as it was amazing and had great features way ahead of its time.

 

[kiensoy]

Gotta be nice updating Google Maps on iOS and watchOS without having to wait for a whole OS update.

 

[w5jck]

Google Maps is better than Apple Maps, and has been forever.

 

[Cheesehead Dave]

Alternate headline: Google Maps catches up to Apple Maps in key traffic functionality.

Here's a question I have never definitively had answered: Is Google Maps PROHIBITED by Apple and/or Apple's infrastructure from including the traffic/hazard/police reporting functions in CarPlay? Or its its omission from CarPlay a choice on Google's part?

It exists in Waze, so I doubt there's any prohibition.

 

[Ghost31]

As a delivery driver, Apple Maps is king. Tried google maps and been let down so many times

 

[Canyda]

It exists in Waze, so I doubt there's any prohibition.

Fair point. I don't use Waze, so was unaware. Thanks for the info.

 

[one more]

I really miss Nokia Here Maps as it was amazing and had great features way ahead of its time.

Here Maps still exist, just have been renamed into “HERE WeGo”. ?

 

[dontwalkhand]

For driving, Apple Maps. The detail and lane changing info beats Google’s bar none. Also integration with Siri and other apps make it a no brained.

For transit, I use my transit agency’s app, as it has Apple Pay passes, and the trip planning is a lot more accurate than Apple or Google combined.

For place searching? It’s a toss up. I find myself just using Apple.

 

[nostresshere]

Google today updated its dedicated Google Maps app for iOS devices, introducing several new features that will improve the navigation experience on iPhones.

There is a more detailed navigation map that Google says is designed to make it easier for people to drive on unfamiliar roads. Google Maps will show traffic lights and stop signs along the route, and enhanced details like building outlines and areas of interest.

In select cities, Google will provide even more information, such as the shape and width of a road, including medians and islands. The feature is rolling out to iOS and CarPlay users in select countries "in the coming weeks."

On drives that involve toll roads as part of the directions, Google Maps will now provide an estimated toll price before you begin navigating. Google will look at factors like the cost of using a toll pass or other payment methods, along with what day of the week it is, to provide an estimate.

Google will show both toll routes and toll-free routes, and users can still use the "avoid tolls" toggle to always see toll-free routes. Toll prices will be available for 2000 toll roads in the U.S., India, Japan, and Indonesia this month, with support in other countries coming soon.

Google is adding a new Apple Watch experience that will let users get directions on Google Maps directly from the watch. In a few weeks, Google Maps users will be able to tap on the Google Maps shortcut in the Apple Watch app and then start navigation without the need for a connected iPhone. There's also a "Take me home" complication that's coming to make it easy to get quick directions back to a set location.

There are also several other updates that will improve Maps on iOS. Google is adding a new pinned trip widget that will let users see trips that have been pinned in the Go Tab right on the iOS Home screen. The widget will display arrival time, the next departure time for a transit trip, and a suggested route when driving.

The existing Google Maps search widget will be updated to be smaller, and soon, Google plans to add Google Maps integration directly into Spotlight, Siri, and the Shortcuts app. Once set up, users can say "Hey Siri, get directions" or "Hey Siri, search in Google Maps" to use the new functionality. These features will start to be available in the coming months, with enhanced Siri functionality coming later in the summer.

Article Link: Google Maps for iOS Gains More Detail, Toll Estimates, and Standalone Apple Watch Support

Need google maps to vibrate my Apple Watch for turns like AppleMaps does.

 

[todd2000]

I default to Apple Maps mostly because of some of these features, I will try out Googles version. My Google Maps was updated 3 days ago, but it just says “bug fixes” so I guess no new features yet….

 

[genovelle]

Google Maps is better than Apple Maps, and has been forever.

I have the opposite experience.

 

[genovelle]

As a delivery driver, Apple Maps is king. Tried google maps and been let down so many times

I agree. Going back to 2016 Android owning delivery drivers I worked with said navigation was too undependable to use for delivery. While they were checking their maps I was giving Siri the address while heading out the door. It took me to the front door every time.

 

[Jason2000]

I have the opposite experience.

I do too. Apple Maps has come a long way and is now better than Google in some areas. Navigation in AM is so much better than Google Maps.

 

[svish]

Looks like a very good update. Excited to try out the changes in Apple Watch.

 

[one more]

For driving, Apple Maps. The detail and lane changing info beats Google’s bar none.

In a small list of countries enjoying the new Apple Maps, that is. In the rest of the world your experience will differ big time. I too prefer AM interface, etc., but its data accuracy and POI in France and Switzerland are still quite mediocre.

 

[todd2000]

Agreed! Love the building outlines on Apple Maps so I can see what house I’m supposed to deliver too!

 

[Zaft]

I use Google maps. I tried Apple Maps recently and I’m not a fan of the visuals. It’s very distracting because it displays trees and such that I don’t care about.


Is there a way to disable that in Apple Maps?