Google Maps U-turns on ‘dumb’ change that’s left drivers frustrated – update app now to fix it
GOOGLE has U-turned on a “awful” layout change that made it hard to see where users were driving on Maps.
Android smartphones can connect a car’s infotainment system screen to display useful apps like Google Maps to get around.
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But after a recent update, the map and blue location arrow was centred to the display, and not to the app as a whole.
Fortunately, this didn’t happen when using turn-by-turn navigation after a destination had been plugged in.
However, Google appears to have rowed back the change just days later.
Following the update, a driver’s location will be centred to match the app rather than the display.
While it’s a minor visual tweak, it certainly helps people using Maps on smaller displays.
Screenshots and comments on Reddit showed that the smaller your screen, the worse the view was.
“I absolutely despise that box,” one user wrote.
“Even when you click the map to view the map larger, it’s the same goddamn size [because] that black box is in the freaking way. I hate it [with] a passion.”
Another added: “It’s awful unless you have a 12″ display.”
Some users even threatened to switch to rival maps app Waze as a result.
Google is currently rolling out the update to devices, 9to5Google reported, but not all drivers have it yet.
However, complaints remain about how big the search box – even after Google’s newest update.
Users say the box is unnecessarily large, and while it minimises in one tap, users add that it rarely offers helpful destination suggestions.
“There are many, many complaints about it and I have heard extremely few defenses of it as desirable — none that I can recall,” said another Reddit user.
“99% of the time that I’m getting in my car I do not even need active navigation, and of that other 1%, the chances that it has correctly determined the destination in its suggestions is smaller still.”
A fourth person added: “Install Waze. Problem solved.”
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To see whether you can install the updated version of Google Maps on your Android phone, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- At the top right, tap the profile icon.
- Tap Manage apps and device.
- Here you can see ‘Updates available’, and tap See details.
- You won’t see anything unless there is an update available.
- Next to the app that you want to update, tap Update.
- To update all your apps at the same time, tap Update all.
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