Photo: reddit user 3BEP6_/autoevolution edits
Google is working on many new features for Google Maps, and when I say many, I really mean it. It's probably the reason why the search giant has a hard time remembering some of them, as several of the updates it promised years ago are still nowhere to be seen.
The best example is the updated interface for the settings screen in Android Auto. Google originally promised to align it with the rest of the app and release a Material You refresh several years ago, but the updated design is only now rolling out. The company probably forgot about this side of the app, so the old "better late than never" saying really works this time.
The second example is the integration of live activities in Google Maps.
Google promised this feature in early 2023, and while other apps received it, Google Maps still can't show navigation directions on the lock screen.
Live activities are a great addition to the iOS feature arsenal, but unfortunately, I don't think it enjoyed the strong adoption it deserves. Some apps have already been updated to show information on the lock screen, such as Uber, but live activities never took off how Apple hoped.
Now, Google seems to be testing live activities integration in Google Maps again. The company has enabled the feature for several users, who reported that navigation directions appeared on the lock screen, albeit it's unclear whether this is a final test or another experiment ahead of another delay.
Google clearly isn't in a rush to release live activities despite enabling glanceable directions while navigating on Android. The feature could be used as an incentive to make Google Maps better on Android, but considering the search giant already announced iOS support, every delay only increases the frustration in its user base.
Live Activities on iPhone work for car navigation and public transportation, though I expect Google to also enable the feature for walking directions. This way, users can get step-by-step navigation without unlocking the smartphone, see the ETA to the destination, and other essential details.
With Google still tight-lipped on this feature, it's impossible to tell when it could start rolling out, but considering that the number of users getting the "experiment" keeps growing, it's probably safe to assume that the first phase of the public rollout has started. There's not much you can do if you want live activities support on your iPhone, as you only need to enable glanceable directions while navigating. When the feature is enabled on your device (via a server-side switch controlled by Google), you should see navigation directions on your iPhone when it's still locked.
With I/O already on the radar, we might not be far from an official announcement regarding this feature.
The second example is the integration of live activities in Google Maps.
Google promised this feature in early 2023, and while other apps received it, Google Maps still can't show navigation directions on the lock screen.
Live activities are a great addition to the iOS feature arsenal, but unfortunately, I don't think it enjoyed the strong adoption it deserves. Some apps have already been updated to show information on the lock screen, such as Uber, but live activities never took off how Apple hoped.
Now, Google seems to be testing live activities integration in Google Maps again. The company has enabled the feature for several users, who reported that navigation directions appeared on the lock screen, albeit it's unclear whether this is a final test or another experiment ahead of another delay.
Google clearly isn't in a rush to release live activities despite enabling glanceable directions while navigating on Android. The feature could be used as an incentive to make Google Maps better on Android, but considering the search giant already announced iOS support, every delay only increases the frustration in its user base.
Live Activities on iPhone work for car navigation and public transportation, though I expect Google to also enable the feature for walking directions. This way, users can get step-by-step navigation without unlocking the smartphone, see the ETA to the destination, and other essential details.
With Google still tight-lipped on this feature, it's impossible to tell when it could start rolling out, but considering that the number of users getting the "experiment" keeps growing, it's probably safe to assume that the first phase of the public rollout has started. There's not much you can do if you want live activities support on your iPhone, as you only need to enable glanceable directions while navigating. When the feature is enabled on your device (via a server-side switch controlled by Google), you should see navigation directions on your iPhone when it's still locked.
With I/O already on the radar, we might not be far from an official announcement regarding this feature.
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