Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
While you'd normally expect Google to favor Android devices over iPhones regarding new features, the search giant has often prioritized Apple's smartphones for the latest-generation capabilities.
The weather overlay in Google Maps is one of the features that debuted on iPhones but remained unavailable for Android devices.
Google has always remained tight-lipped on its plans regarding this feature for Android devices, though a small number of users started seeing weather information on top of Google Maps a few months ago.
It was only a test that Google conducted with a limited number of users, and according to a new report, the company is now expanding the availability to more devices.
The rollout happens in stages, meaning that not everybody sees the weather information on Google Maps. However, if you're lucky enough, you should see a small weather icon in the top left corner displaying the current conditions, the temperature, and the AQI score.
Tapping the weather icon launches a full weather overlay that displays additional information, including the weather forecast for the next hours and "feels like" information. You can also expand the air quality data to get more information on the AQI score in Google Maps.
One of the features I liked the most on the iPhone, and which is also becoming available on Android devices with this release, is the automatic weather information update happening as you browse the map in Google Maps. It means that the weather data is automatically updated to show data relevant to the location you explore, so if you plan a trip to multiple destinations, you can see the current temperature for each. Google Maps also lets you expand the forecast and get additional information for your destinations, helping you plan the route more accurately.
The feature doesn't seem tied to a specific app version, though the report above indicates the Google Maps weather layer appeared in version 11.113.x. However, I installed the same version on my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and can't see the weather icon, which suggests Google uses a server-side rollout for this feature.
The company hasn't officially announced the new Google Maps feature, but it's about time it reduces the gap between the Android and iOS versions of its navigation app.
Meanwhile, Google Maps is also getting other capabilities, including Android Auto. Saving the parking location, a feature that has existed on Android devices for years, makes its way to Android Auto. It allows users to continue running Google Maps after they park their cars, using the app for step-by-step directions to their address. The feature comes in handy specifically when the destination is not the same as the parking location, allowing Google Maps to serve as an all-in-one navigation solution both in and out of the car.
Google has always remained tight-lipped on its plans regarding this feature for Android devices, though a small number of users started seeing weather information on top of Google Maps a few months ago.
It was only a test that Google conducted with a limited number of users, and according to a new report, the company is now expanding the availability to more devices.
The rollout happens in stages, meaning that not everybody sees the weather information on Google Maps. However, if you're lucky enough, you should see a small weather icon in the top left corner displaying the current conditions, the temperature, and the AQI score.
Tapping the weather icon launches a full weather overlay that displays additional information, including the weather forecast for the next hours and "feels like" information. You can also expand the air quality data to get more information on the AQI score in Google Maps.
One of the features I liked the most on the iPhone, and which is also becoming available on Android devices with this release, is the automatic weather information update happening as you browse the map in Google Maps. It means that the weather data is automatically updated to show data relevant to the location you explore, so if you plan a trip to multiple destinations, you can see the current temperature for each. Google Maps also lets you expand the forecast and get additional information for your destinations, helping you plan the route more accurately.
The feature doesn't seem tied to a specific app version, though the report above indicates the Google Maps weather layer appeared in version 11.113.x. However, I installed the same version on my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and can't see the weather icon, which suggests Google uses a server-side rollout for this feature.
The company hasn't officially announced the new Google Maps feature, but it's about time it reduces the gap between the Android and iOS versions of its navigation app.
Meanwhile, Google Maps is also getting other capabilities, including Android Auto. Saving the parking location, a feature that has existed on Android devices for years, makes its way to Android Auto. It allows users to continue running Google Maps after they park their cars, using the app for step-by-step directions to their address. The feature comes in handy specifically when the destination is not the same as the parking location, allowing Google Maps to serve as an all-in-one navigation solution both in and out of the car.
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