It provides better guidance.

In February 2023, Google announced a feature for its navigation app, but it took a while to become available. The deployment would have in fact started a few days ago, more than a year after the announcement, as reported by 9to5Mac.

Visible Directions

The feature in question is called “  Visible Directions  ,” and as the name suggests, it offers users a new overview of directions directly from the directions page. Like this:

The feature also includes new instructions visible from the lock screen. As Google states  :

You will see the updated estimated arrival time, and where to make your next turn. Information that was previously only visible by unlocking your phone, opening the app, and using full navigation mode. And if you decide to take another path, we’ll automatically update your trip.

In short, this allows you to stay informed about your route and benefit from directions from Google Maps , without having to start your route. And this in particular thanks to the replacement of the location ball, which becomes an arrow before the route is even launched.

How to enable the feature

To benefit from visible directions, it is necessary to activate the functionality in the main application settings . MacRumors also reports not having seen a difference after activation, however. It is likely that the rollout is in its early stages, and therefore some may not benefit from it at the moment.

Immersive View, the biggest new thing?

The Mountain View company regularly updates its Google Maps application , with ever more practical features. Over the past year, however, we have seen significant progress in what is offered, notably thanks to the arrival of AI. Important features include Immersive View.

Immersive View allows you to see your route in 3D , step by step, before hitting the road. The preview also adapts to the weather and time. If when you view your route it is dark and raining, then this will also be the case in the preview . The functionality is apparently already available in Paris.