Something to look forward to: Google Maps has probably been the default navigation tool since people started using smartphones in cars, but there’s always room for improvement. The app will soon show more detailed information and be easier to access on mobile devices.
The first of several additions coming to Google Maps is information about tolls to help motorists better plan how much a trip will cost. Android and iOS users in the US, India, Japan and Indonesia will be able to see estimated toll prices for their destinations before enabling navigation later this month. Google will add more countries later.
Google Maps will use information from local toll authorities to estimate toll prices when crossing 2,000 roads through the aforementioned areas. It takes into account the chosen payment method and the day of the week. Users can also tell Google Maps to choose toll-free routes and hide toll charges from navigation.
In the coming weeks, another improvement to Google Maps will bring traffic lights and stop signs to users on Android, iOS, Android Auto and CarPlay, to better inform them about how long a journey can take.
Adding the contours of buildings should also make locations more recognizable and in certain cities Google Maps will more accurately reflect the shape of the road. However, the company did not specify which cities or countries would see these enhanced details.
The in-car navigation experience isn’t the only thing Google plans to improve on. In a few weeks, the navigation on the Apple Watch will work independently of an iPhone. Later this summer, it should become easier to retrieve navigation information with voice commands on iOS, as developers will better integrate Google Maps with Spotlight, Siri and Shortcuts. At some point, enhanced widgets will become another way to get to Google Maps on iOS faster.
This post Google Maps will soon show traffic lights, stop signs and tolls
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