Google is updating its two navigation apps — Google Maps and Waze — with a slew of latest options, together with some modifications that deliver the 2 nearer collectively.
One of many large updates right here continues to combine the most important options from Waze immediately into Maps. Maps is getting improved Waze-like incident reporting that provides bigger icons to share updates like highway closures, development, pace cameras, or police presence. Different drivers shall be prompted to substantiate incidents with a faucet.
It will possibly really feel like Waze and Google Maps are on a collision course, however the two apps proceed to stay separate. Head of product for Google Maps Can Comertoglu informed The Verge at a press briefing on Tuesday that Waze customers are very devoted. “They like among the issues that Waze does over Google Maps, and we all know the reverse is true as effectively.” Waze has over 500,000 contributors, Waze director Tim Queenan tells us.
Google Maps service can be including new vacation spot steerage that can establish a constructing’s entrance as you method it. The function will pinpoint the precise constructing you’re navigating to by highlighting it in pink, with a inexperienced indicator pointing to the principle entrance of the constructing. Google will even begin exhibiting close by parking heaps.
The improved incident reporting is rolling out now to Google Maps on Android, iOS, vehicles with Google Constructed-in, and Android Auto and Apple Carplay, whereas the vacation spot steerage is rolling out “within the coming weeks.”
To not be overshadowed by Google Maps, Waze is getting some new tips, too. Waze customers can now report new sorts of visitors cameras, like ones that go off for those who drive within the bus or HOV lanes, or ones that test for seatbelts and whether or not you’re texting and driving.
Waze additionally has a brand new devoted expertise for occasion info that may inform you about highway closures for space happenings, like a marathon, live performance, or ballgame. You’ll get a push notification after the primary highway closure for an occasion that’s close to your work or residence handle, or someplace you drove to just lately. The brand new function is launching with the 2024 Olympic video games and can roll out for future occasions as effectively.
