Google on Tuesday updated its Google Maps for iOS app, bringing several new features designed to improve the overall navigation experience on the iPhone.
A more detailed navigation map is designed to make it easier for drivers on unfamiliar roads, showing traffic lights and stop signs along a route, while also offering enhanced details like building outlines and areas of interest.
Google will provide even more information in select cities, including the shape and width of a road, including medians and islands. The feature will be rolling out to iOS and CarPlay users in select countries “in the coming weeks.”
Google Maps will now provide an estimated toll price before you begin a drive that include toll roads. The app will examine factors such as the cost of a toll pass or other payment methods, as well as what day it is, to provide a knowledgeable estimate. (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, support in other countries is on the way.
The update also allows Apple Watch users to 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.
A “take me home” watch complication that’s coming to make it easy to get navigation back to a set location.
Google is adding a new pinned trip widget to Google Maps for iOS, 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.
Google Maps is integrating directly into Spotlight, Siri, and the Shortcuts app on iOS. Once you’ve set up the shortcuts, just say “Hey Siri, get directions” or “Hey Siri, search in Google Maps” to access Google Maps’ helpful information instantly. You’ll start seeing this feature in the coming months, with enhanced Siri search functionality coming later this summer.
