Google Maps is adding electric vehicle charging station information, promising to make powering up an EV or plug-in hybrid more straightforward. The new functionality is being added to the Google Maps app for iOS and Android today, and will follow on in the desktop version in the coming weeks, Google says.
Google Maps has navigated its way to CarPlay, with Apple's in-car infotainment interface opening up to Google's app with the arrival of iOS 12. One of the most-requested features of CarPlay since it launched, it means no longer being forced to use Apple Maps when you hook your iPhone up to a compatible in-car infotainment system.
For a time, iOS locked its doors to other web browsers like Firefox unless those used its WebKit web engine. While that is in the past, there are still other parts of Apple’s ecosystem that remain closed off to other players unless they’re to concede some ground to Apple. One of those is CarPlay, which can only use Apple Maps for its navigation. That’s changing in iOS 12 and now Google Maps has a beta that reveals just what it had to do to get in.
Google Maps has long been the definitive mapping and directions app on both Android and iOS. One recent challenger to that standard has been Waze, which features crowd-sourced data on driving conditions to keep its information accurate and up-to-date. Waze was such a stand-out service that Google actually acquired it about five years ago. While Waze has never been absolved into Google Maps, like many expected, one of its best features might finally be making the jump.
Apple Maps is about to get a huge upgrade, with exponentially more data, crowdsourced updates, and potentially paving the way to future AR smart glasses projects. The mapping app hasn't exactly got the best reputation among navigation right now, though it has significantly improved since Apple first launched it in 2012 as part of iOS 6.
Last month, Google detailed something of a makeover for Google Maps. Personalization seems to be the name of the game here, with Google attempting to make it easier to find places to eat or drink and things to do by revamping the Explore tab. Most of these changes are going live in Android and iOS today, giving frequent Google Maps users a chance to try them out for themselves.
![Apple Maps navigation and search is down [Update: it’s back]](https://c.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/apple-maps-offline-0-980x620.jpg)
Apple Maps is down in several core ways, with search, routing, and navigation all offline this morning. Apple confirmed that there was an ongoing issue with the mapping service this morning, and says it's investigating the issue.
Google Maps is adding a cute new interface tweak, though right now only those using the iOS version for iPhone and iPad will be able to play with it. The new Google Maps for iOS is getting a customizable navigation icon, for those bored of the traditional blue arrow that shows where you currently are on the map.
Google has updated Google Maps to include wheelchair accessible routes in transit, helping individuals with mobility problems get around. The routes are available for certain big cities and they're based around public transit, which is typically easier to use for individuals with wheelchairs and other mobility devices. These routes are available for cities around the world.
Waze's main hook is its crowdsourced navigation offerings, but lately, we've also been seeing it build out a carpooling service. Over the past year, Waze Carpool has slowly spread across California and Texas, and today, the dedicated app that handles its carpool pairings is getting a pretty significant update. In fact, this update is so large that we could almost call this a relaunch.
Navigation apps like Google Maps help cut down commute times and congestion by offering alternative routes when traffic is high. These alternative routes often take drivers down smaller roads that otherwise don't get much traffic, and while it can help alleviate congestion on highways and major roads, it may cause problems for the neighborhoods getting that additional traffic. One city in New Jersey has decided to take drastic steps to fix this problem.
A small but useful update has been released for Google Maps, one that will be especially useful for those who rely on the app for directions via public transportation. The app now has a step-by-step navigation option when traveling on the train, subway, and bus, as well as notifications when the desired stop is approaching. The new features are now live on both the Android and iOS apps.