Maps improves navigation signage, links photos to reviews, adds other new tricks

BY GreenBot Staff

Published 10 Feb 2016

Maps got a hefty update that adds a lot of new tools to better manage your past, present, future journeys.

One helpful adjustment is that you can dictate whether or not voice navigation continues while you take a phone call. Go to Settings > Navigation Settings >  then toggle ay voice over Bluetooth.

google maps navigation settings

Now you can silence or enable voice navigation while on a phone call.

If you rely on Maps reviews, or if you’re a cal Guide, you’ll find that reviews can now include an embedded photo. eviously the pictures were parceled off in a separate space. 

google maps update reviews Android lice

en you write a review you can now direclty embed a photos right below the text.

Additionally, there’s a new option to add a place to your timeline from your location history. After you select this option, you can type in an address or name of a location.

add a place timeline

Include more details about your past journeys with a new “add a place” feature.

The implementation is still a little wonky, however, if you want to browse the map to pinpoint the venue. After you tap add a place you can move the pin around the map to select a specific spot. However, if you touch the map screen again the navigation bar at the bottom disappears. To get it back you have to touch the back button, which isn’t immediately obvious. Instead the navigation bar should be minimized, but still be available via swiping up.

An Android lice report also details floating street signs appear when you’re using navigation. However, I wasn’t able to trigger those while trying out several different routes. rhaps this specific feature is a server-side switch. ’ll keep investigating to see what the deal is with this.

Maps version 9.20 is rolling out through the ay Store or available now on A Mirror.

y this matters: Maps is a major piece of the company’s portfolio, so you’re going to see lots of adjustments over time to make it a better experience. so, can use its dominant position with Maps on Android to experiment before deciding which features to port over to iOS, where it’s a more competitive lscape.