Google Maps will soon feature an all-new Commute tab that provides one-tap access to live traffic and transit information.
The new tab will tell you if your commute is going to be a normal one, or if you'll need to budget extra time due to things like an accident or heavy traffic. Google is introducing support for mixed-mode commutes that involve both driving and public transit, with helpful information along each leg of the trip.
In addition, transit riders in 80 regions worldwide will be able to see exactly where their bus or train is in real time on the map. Starting in Sydney, Australia, Google Maps will also indicate how full the next bus or train is. Google says the latter feature will be coming to more cities around the globe soon.
Last, Google says it is making Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Play Music playback controls accessible within Google Maps.
The new features will start rolling out globally on iOS and Android this week.
Top Rated Comments
The Maps app in iOS has always been Apple's. Back when it used Google Maps, it was really Apple's app using Google's data. Google did not write nor maintain that app, and it shipped as part of iOS. The refusal to have turn by turn directions in that app was Apple's, not Google's.
Only once Apple Maps came about did they finally allow Google to write their own Maps app; as far as I'm concerned that was the best thing that ever happened for Google Maps on iOS because they were extremely stifled before by Apple's refusal to let them write the app.
I don't mean to be combative, I just get tired of people getting the history behind this wrong. Apple was the bad guy here, not Google.
Google's Android app was released in 2008 //