Google Maps Getting Improved COVID Layer, Google Assistant Driving Mode, and More
Nov. 18, 2020Google is rolling out a new update to Google Maps to help users travel safely during the holiday season. The update brings more information to the COVID layer, live status of takeout and delivery orders, an early preview of Assistant driving mode, and more.
In September,Google Maps gained a COVID layerthat shows weekly averages of new COVID cases across 220 countries. The company is now updating the featureto show more information such as all-time detected cases in an area and quick links to COVID resourcesfrom local authorities. Google says the improvement will make its way to the Maps app on Android and iOS in the coming weeks.Image: Google
Google Maps is globally rolling out a convenient feature – live crowd information. Going forward,you will be able to see how crowded your bus, train, or metro is, based on real-time feedback from Google Maps users. The accuracy of the results, however, will depend on how popular/frequently visited the place is.Image: Google
If you’re in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Brazil, or India, you can nowview the live status of takeout and delivery orderswhen you order from Google Maps on Android and iOS. In addition, you will see the expected wait times and delivery fees. The company is also rolling out the option to view restaurant reservation status in 70 countries.Image: Google
Driving mode also integrates with music providers for media consumption, all without leaving the navigation screen. If you’re in the U.S, you can enable driving mode by starting navigation and tapping on the pop-up that urges you to enable the feature. Alternatively, you can open Assistant settings on your Android phone, followed by enabling the feature fromGetting around-> Driving mode.
Subin writes about consumer tech, software, and security. He secretly misses the headphone jack while pretending he’s better off with the wireless freedom.
