Google Maps Is Coming To Apple Watch, Adding CarPlay Dashboard Support (venturebeat.com) 23
Today, Google announced that Google Maps for iOS will be adding both an Apple Watch app and support for CarPlay Dashboard, increasing the likelihood that Apple users will reconsider Google's potential contribution to their walks and rides. VentureBeat reports: Google Maps for Apple Watch appears to be a very stripped-down version of the iPhone app, offering users step-by-step directions and estimated arrival times -- but only for destinations already stored within the app or shared from the connected iPhone. You can tap on a list of destinations you've saved to conjure up directions from your current location -- otherwise, navigation needs to start on the phone. Simple icons, foot/mile distances, and street names are indicated when walking, bike riding, or driving. Public transportation support is also included. In addition to displaying full-color maps, Apple's own Watch app includes voice recognition, handwriting input, access to contact lists, and a variety of point-of-interest categories to help users navigate without using a phone. It's unclear at this point whether Google will actively try to add more functionality to its Apple Watch app -- the Wear OS version of Google Maps includes voice input and map browsing features.
On the CarPlay front, the iPhone version of Google Maps is gaining the ability to work in the Dashboard mode already supported by Apple Maps, such that the screen is split into a moving map on the left, turn-by-turn directions at the upper right, and music, podcasts, audiobooks, and calendar appointment details at the bottom right. CarPlay Dashboard was opened to third-party developers in iOS 13.4, and while Google Maps isn't the first app to take advantage of the feature, it and Waze are arguably the ones most people have been waiting for. Google has supported CarPlay with a full-screen Maps mode since 2018. Google Maps' CarPlay Dashboard support is available now for all CarPlay vehicles, while the Apple Watch app "starts rolling out worldwide in the coming weeks." Both should be accessible from the iOS App Store's Google Maps app.
On the CarPlay front, the iPhone version of Google Maps is gaining the ability to work in the Dashboard mode already supported by Apple Maps, such that the screen is split into a moving map on the left, turn-by-turn directions at the upper right, and music, podcasts, audiobooks, and calendar appointment details at the bottom right. CarPlay Dashboard was opened to third-party developers in iOS 13.4, and while Google Maps isn't the first app to take advantage of the feature, it and Waze are arguably the ones most people have been waiting for. Google has supported CarPlay with a full-screen Maps mode since 2018. Google Maps' CarPlay Dashboard support is available now for all CarPlay vehicles, while the Apple Watch app "starts rolling out worldwide in the coming weeks." Both should be accessible from the iOS App Store's Google Maps app.
That's all good and all (Score:3)
but let's not start blowing each other until OpenStreetMap comes to Google Maps.
Until then, it'll still be a better yellow pages than a usable map.
So much more news (Score:2)
OMG. Google crush navigation on wear Is it is incredible. Apple gimp everything with their jail.
Seriously Libre office is out and we are talking a Google App on an iwatch. Now where is a real update to wear OS
Re: (Score:2)
That was worthy of being posted as Anonymous Coward.
An app on an iPhone (Score:2)
Nah I read it back. I am good. I think the news has been lacking, and if a third party app no matter how good, being not quite as good on the iWatch no less. This is weak even for the usual overexposure for Apple.
Re: (Score:2)
Every time you accept anything Google, you accept them invading your privacy further and manipulating you more. Google the sheeple internet provider, where the sheeple go to be shorne of their privacy and their independent choice, baah, baah, baah. The green company, the number one cheerleader of mass consumption, eating the planet alive and burning it to the ground, no one cheers for it more loudly than Google with it's targeted advertisements, the most hypocritical corporation on the planet, demanding tha
Google has 99 problems but... (Score:2)
The Environment is something Google are literally putting their money behind...that is different from talk.
https://www.environmentalleade... [environmentalleader.com]
This is an article from only a few days ago. I am not suggesting they are being purely altruistic by spending literally Billions. In fact big tech on the whole is pretty good...other things not so much.
Re: (Score:1)
OMG. Google crush navigation on wear Is it is incredible.
I really wonder how Google crushes navigation on Wear, when it's the suckiest navigation app by far on mobile (humorously even worse than Waze, which Google owns!)..
Have you tried navigation on an Apple Watch? It's really good...
Your Shill is stuck. (Score:2)
I like the way that you have to defend Apple and have managed to both praise and attack Google Maps. I wish I was a fanatic.
Google Maps is simply the best mapping application on all platforms. Nothing comes close. I use wear OS which is overdue for an overhaul, but Google Maps is wonderful on it.
As I said the problem is Apple.
Re: (Score:1)
Google Maps is simply the best mapping application on all platforms. Nothing comes close.
Indeed, that's why I stopped using Google Maps, because it didn't come close... to finding what I was trying to find.
Oh at one point it was good, but it has been long surpassed.
Do you deny that even now traffic and other warnings in Waze are far superior?
Directions in Apple Maps are better these days, and also Apple maps are quicker to update if you submit corrections.
Sad that you are so loyal to Google Maps you can't
Bless (Score:2)
I will give Waze a go. It does seem more a driving than a map app. Love that it is recommended as an Editors recommend on Google Play, you don't get that with Apple
As for your comments on wear os. I am sorry I am not a fanatic. Google do drop Applications with a two competing products and rebranding, which works very well...most of the time, and is why they have come to dominate.
Wear os does not have that problem. It feels more like Apple TV. Although nowhere near there yet, but they have left it too long.
Re: (Score:3)
I keep trying Waze but, here in the UK at least, it has a very annoying habit of redirecting you off a fast flowing 4 lane motorway onto a winding unlit single lane road if it thinks it can shave 2 minutes off your 3 hour drive.
It might just be me but, frankly, I'd rather stick on the easy well-lit main road for the minimal extra time.
Re: (Score:2)
Google Maps is by far the best for search and for routing in the countries I have tried it in. The quality of data varies from locale to locale but UK and Japan are extremely good.
I use Waze sometimes but mostly only when I want the alerts. Google Maps is clearer and selects better routes.
Re: (Score:2)
Bad Analysis (Score:1)
You'd have to really have a hard-on for Apple to wear their dorky looking watch
Once again we see the people who truly value form over function are Apple haters, not Apple users.
I guess for the people that are willing to do that, this is probably something they'll care about, but it's got to be a pretty small minority of ./ readers.
I would warrant the average age of the Slashdot reader is fairly high at this point, and between the heart rate / fall detection features quite a lot of Slashdot readers have an A
Long memory (Score:2)
Apple iWatch is an ugly watch. It is a statement watch.
The thing is Ken I remember when you were all over these forms making claiming the iWatch was a filthy trick to confuse Apple enemies...I was then shocked at your claims that you had become an iWatch developer...Good Times.
Re: (Score:1)
I remember when you were all over these forms making claiming the iWatch was a filthy trick to confuse Apple enemies...I was then shocked at your claims that you had become an iWatch developer.
Well that certainly makes one of us... I don't remember making any claims like that about the Apple Watch, nor do I develop Apple Watch apps yet (though I mull it over from time to time and have done some small test apps).
The Apple Watch was an obvious hit from the first version onward. As was the case with the first
Good Times (Score:1)
Don't be shy you and me go back a long way. Remember Digg before they went full Apple.
You were so confident Apple would do nothing so stupid.
The truth is the iWatch was reviled even by the media until recently. It's latest watches garnering much praise, although I see less people wearing them. You don't get any real figures anymore I am glad that Apple is invested in smarwatches. Google need to pull their finger out.
Fitbit antitrust. (Score:2)
Because Google plus Apple pull a lot of the mapping market, especially if Tomtom who have been playing nicely with Apple are with them on this.
Google only have 10% (Score:2)
Where are Microsoft. I have not heard anything of it since the Nokia fiasco.
What pisses me off about iOS (Score:2)
I have a company-issued iPhone. However, on rare occasions I take it with me on the weekend in case I might need its map software. One day I input an address because even though I was familiar with the area, I wasn't familiar with the area I was going to.
Ever since that time, I can't delete that address from the list. Why? Because I don't have an Apple account (I do, it comes with the phone, I just don't use it). Someone needs to explain why one needs an account to delete an address? Why should I have t