After more than a year of announcement, Google Maps is finally adding glanceable directions available on Android and iOS.
This feature allows users to view turn-by-turn directions, as well as live estimated time of arrival (ETA) directly from their device's lock screen – information that was previously only visible when a phone was unlocked.
Directions appear on the app’s route overview screen after launching, before users tap the “Start” button. Google Maps displays directions, estimated time of arrival (ETA), and updates the route if the user takes a different route, as shown in the GIF below.
Read also: Share your location live via Google Maps
Although glanceable directions are disabled by default, they can be enabled in the app's main settings, under the Navigation. In our testing on iPhone, the setting only appeared after switching Google accounts, indicating that the feature is still available. However, we still haven't seen support for Live Activities on iOS, despite a promise made a year ago.
Google first announced Directions last February, and in June it was reported that the feature was rolling out this month for walking, biking, and driving directions on Android and iOS. This includes compatibility with Live Activities in iOS 16.1 .
Based on recent data uncovered by MacRumors for an older version of the app, Google Maps is still working on integrating support for Live Activities on the iPhone, but when that will become a reality remains uncertain.
Source: macrumors.com
