Good news for Google Maps users: After years of absence, the Apple Watch app is back and the Maps CarPlay app is getting a major upgrade. We list all the innovations.
Google Maps supports CarPlay Dashboard
Google will announce the updates in a blog post. First of all, the CarPlay app gets support for CarPlay Dashboard. This function from Apple makes it possible to put your navigation on your ‘home screen’ of CarPlay.
That is handy, because there is room on one half of the screen for directions, but you can put a mini player from Spotify or Apple Music on the other half and see your next calendar appointment. According to Google, this should ensure that you stay better focused on the road and do not have to browse through different apps.
Apple Watch app Google Maps back with a vengeance
A lot more striking than the CarPlay update is the return of the watchOS app from Google Maps. There was already such an app from Google in the early days of the Apple Watch, but it was later canceled and pulled from the App Store.
Years later, the Watch app from Google’s map service returns. The app supports navigation via car, bicycle, public transport or pedestrians. With the Watch’s small screen, Google had to find some clever ways to process all this info.
This way you can quickly navigate to places you’ve saved (such as your home or work address) and see where you need to go on your wrist. Also handy: you can start navigating on your iPhone in the Google Maps app and as soon as you put your iPhone away and go for a walk, your Apple Watch takes over.
The Google Maps update for CarPlay is now available for all cars with CarPlay. The Apple Watch app will be rolled out worldwide in a few weeks, according to Google.