Google’s maps app has been updated. Directions have been added to the widgets and location sharing can now be done via iMessage.
Do more with the Google Maps widget
The new version of Google Maps has the option to show directions in the widget section of iOS. By tapping the widget, you immediately indicate where to go, after which Google Maps presents a route. You can view it in the app, but also in the widget, where the ride is displayed step by step. Scroll through the route via arrows.
You do not need to unlock the iPhone to use the widget. You slide the image from the locked screen to the right to bring up the widget screen. You do have to set it up first, as follows.
- Open the widget screen and tap ‘Edit’ at the bottom;
- Go to ‘More widgets’ and tap the green plus sign for ‘Directions’;
- Position the widget to the spot of your choice and tap ‘Done’ at the top of the screen.
Location sharing via iMessage
Also new is location sharing in the Messages app. For this you need to enable Google Maps via the iMessage App Store. If you then choose Maps, your location is indicated by a blue dot on a small map. You can share this location with the other. By tapping on the map, Google Maps opens for a better overview.
By the way, Apple already has a built-in option to share location via the iMessage app. You can do this by tapping the ‘i’ in the top right of the screen in a conversation and then selecting ‘Send my current location’.
Live location sharing
Recently, Google Maps got a new function to share your location live with someone else. The person can then ‘watch’ where you are for a certain period of time, via a map view. Google’s live location sharing is useful, for example, if you want to meet up or if you want to know if your partner is already on its way home.
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