Google Maps Gains Home Screen Widgets on iPhone

[MacRumors]

Google today updated its Google Maps app for the iPhone to add support for widgets that can be added both to the Today View and the Home Screen.

There are two separate widget options. The first allows users to check traffic conditions, store opening times, restaurant reviews, and more for a given location, while the second is designed to let users find places that are nearby like restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores.

The widget can be used to get quick access to home directions as well, and it has a search interface available for inputting directions right from the Home Screen.

The Google Maps widget can be accessed using the "+" button either in the Today View or on the Home Screen after downloading the latest version of the app. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Google Maps Gains Home Screen Widgets on iPhone

 

[rp100]

How does location security work with this? Does the widget get continuous access to your coordinates or only when you actually interact with it?

 

[midkay]

This could be neat combined with Focus modes in iOS 15. Example, a Driving or Road Trip focus that enables a dedicated home screen page (that would otherwise be hidden), containing this larger widget for quick one-tap access to gas, food etc.

 

[ForkHandles]

Have successfully managed a month with no Google on my Apple devices, changed all of the default search engines to Duck Duck Go.
I haven’t noticed any decline in search engine service.
Privacy feels good.

 

[genovelle]

Have successfully managed a month with no Google on my Apple devices, changed all of the default search engines to Duck Duck Go.
I haven’t noticed any decline in search engine service.
Privacy feels good.

I did this 2 years ago maybe 3. Privacy feels great!

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Yay! I will be adding this one to my home screen.

 

[alexandr]

not sure if this is worth the screen real estate, but cool to have the option.

 

[contacos]

Have successfully managed a month with no Google on my Apple devices, changed all of the default search engines to Duck Duck Go.
I haven’t noticed any decline in search engine service.
Privacy feels good.

sorry to burst that bubble but better than nothing I guess

Why People Should Never Ever Use DuckDuckGo

 

[icanhazmac]

sorry to burst that bubble but better than nothing I guess

Why People Should Never Ever Use DuckDuckGo

Interesting read but tough to find any supporting info/sites while easy to find pro-DDG sites. Is techrights.org a trusted source in the privacy world vs others like:

Is DuckDuckGo Safe? | What to know before making the switch

In this guide, we take a close look at DuckDuckGo who claim to provide services on par with Google, without stealing your data. But, is it safe? Find out here.

proprivacy.com

Not discounting your post, just confused as there seem to be many differences of opinion on the subject and this is not my area of expertise.

 

[Deguello]

sorry to burst that bubble but better than nothing I guess

Why People Should Never Ever Use DuckDuckGo

“DDG patronizes privacy-abuser Amazon, using AWS for hosting.” Oh, no! They use AWS.

Their issues seem pretty minor. Unless, I guess, accusing someone of being a capitalist who wants to build a big company counts for a lot.

 

[edgonzalez32]

Hell yea, this is going on my homescreen. I use maps way too often.

 

[ignatius345]

Have successfully managed a month with no Google on my Apple devices, changed all of the default search engines to Duck Duck Go.
I haven’t noticed any decline in search engine service.
Privacy feels good.

I moved to DDG for search a few months ago. For like 80% of stuff it's fine but I do occasionally hit searches -- like very specific computer troubleshooting stuff, for one -- where it kind of whiffs and I have to go to Google.

But yeah, in general I'm down to Gmail and the occasional Google search and that's it. Apple Maps is great with navigation and I've had great results with iCloud Calendar, Photos, and Drive. I do wish iCloud Drive had a little more transparency with what it's syncing (like Dropbox does) but all in all I'm very satisfied and happy to shun Google as much as I can.

 

[smuzzy]

Interesting read but tough to find any supporting info/sites while easy to find pro-DDG sites. Is techrights.org a trusted source in the privacy world vs others like:

Is DuckDuckGo Safe? | What to know before making the switch

In this guide, we take a close look at DuckDuckGo who claim to provide services on par with Google, without stealing your data. But, is it safe? Find out here.

proprivacy.com

Not discounting your post, just confused as there seem to be many differences of opinion on the subject and this is not my area of expertise.

In open source circles, techrights.org has been known to be conspiratorial, alarmist clickbait for many, many years.

 

[Wildkraut]

Interesting read but tough to find any supporting info/sites while easy to find pro-DDG sites. Is techrights.org a trusted source in the privacy world vs others like:

Is DuckDuckGo Safe? | What to know before making the switch

In this guide, we take a close look at DuckDuckGo who claim to provide services on par with Google, without stealing your data. But, is it safe? Find out here.

proprivacy.com

Not discounting your post, just confused as there seem to be many differences of opinion on the subject and this is not my area of expertise.

Well, they collect something for sure, but definitely less than Google & Co. What I really like is all the Bangs.

!y for youtube
!w for wikipedia
!wde for wikipedia Germany
!g for google
!gde for google Germany
!gm for google maps
etc.

I use multiple bangs…

DuckDuckGo !Bangs

Search thousands of sites directly from DuckDuckGo.

duckduckgo.com

 

[TheralSadurns]

Sucks.
I has GAS stations... with no way to change it to CHARGING stations. Like we live in the middle ages or something.

 

[svish]

Will try it out. I use google maps quite a lot

 

[ericg301]

Still no live speedometer ?

 

[Deguello]

Sucks.
I has GAS stations... with no way to change it to CHARGING stations. Like we live in the middle ages or something.

Or like a lot of people still need to go more than a couple hundred miles at a time.

It would be nice to be able to see charging stations as an option, though.

 

[iapplelove]

I haven’t noticed any decline in search engine service.

lol I needed a good laugh, thanks.

I flood my device with google apps,and I’m still alive.

 

[iamPro]

That waste of real estate pales in comparison to the now dead 3D Touch.

Widgets being mere shortcuts (unlike android widgets) doesn’t help either.

 

[ForkHandles]

lol I needed a good laugh, thanks.

I flood my device with google apps,and I’m still alive.

That’s great! They do say that if a product is free then YOU are the product. If that works for you then that’s just great, enjoy.

 

[TheralSadurns]

Or like a lot of people still need to go more than a couple hundred miles at a time.

It would be nice to be able to see charging stations as an option, though.

Ya. That's what I am saying. I didn't say "replace" but an option would be nice... especially since Google maps has the info... and already shows it in my car...

 

[iapplelove]

That’s great! They do say that if a product is free then YOU are the product. If that works for you then that’s just great, enjoy.

This is old news bud. I’m sure all those android users, an operating system powered by Google are not losing sleep either.
Everyone here so quick to bash Google, who provide some of the greatest services to date. You know they use at least one Google service once per day lol probably don’t even know it.

 

[cgaw23]

Hell yea, this is going on my homescreen. I use maps way too often.

Same. Google is more reliable for my area in New Brunswick Canada. took apple about 8 years to realize my location data was wrong for my community and anyone that lived nearby

 

[bb9]

edited.
Most of the time I just say “hey Siri, direction home (or work)”