Google has finally begun updating its most important apps with support for the new iPhone X display resolution, starting with Google Maps, arguably its most widely-used mobile software.
Google Maps picks up iPhone X support
Google Maps
Google Maps now makes it easier than ever to find a place to park
Google said today that its Maps app for iPhone and iPad now makes it easier to find a place to park by showing you parking garages and lots in 25 cities throughout the United States.
Google Maps gains 3D imagery of Apple Park
Google has updated its imagery on Earth and Maps services so you can now tour Apple's massive new headquarters in glorious 3D graphics. However, Google's data appears to be out of date as the Apple Park imagery shows the site in an earlier state, with the main ring-shaped building still being worked on and Steve Jobs Theater in its early stages of development.
According to the Google Maps team, they refresh 3D images of major landmarks and metropolitan areas at least once per year. As the screenshots attest, Google's data still shows the whole mountain of dirt which has since been reduced substantially as Apple is re-using the earth for landscaping, as evidenced by the latest drone flyovers.
To tour Apple Park in 3D on Google Maps, go to maps.google.com or fire up the Google Maps app on your iPhone or iPad, and search for “Apple Park Visitor Centre”. Now zoom all the way in, switch to Satellite view and click the “3D” icon in the lower-right corner of the interface.
You can now drag the view around, Control-click to rotate and more.
The best way to experience Apple Park headquarters in either 2D or 3D is definitely the recently overhauled Google Earth web app, but you'll need Chrome to use it.
Apple in March 2017 added 3D images of Apple Park to its own Maps service, including support for related details, descriptions and searchable geolocation tags.
Thanks, Carlos!
Google says Apple Watch support will be returning to Maps for iOS
Google has confirmed that it will be bringing back support for Apple Watch to the Maps app for iPhone and iPad at some point in the future. In a statement issued Tuesday to AppleInsider, a spokesperson for the search giant said: “We removed Apple Watch support from our latest iOS release, but expect to support it again in the future”.
The company provided no explanation for the removal of Apple Watch functionality from Maps for iOS, which went largely unnoticed because it wasn't mentioned in App Store release notes.
As we reported yesterday, recent updates to major iPhone apps like Google Maps, eBay, Amazon and Target came stripped of all Apple Watch support, perhaps indicating that watchOS features in them were not widely used.
Google brought its Maps app to Apple Watch in September 2015, with features like turn-by-turn driving, walking and transit directions for recently visited points of interest. The app lacked other features found in Apple's Maps for Apple Watch, such as no conventional map view and the inability to conduct searches without a tethered iPhone.
Google Maps, Amazon, eBay and other iPhone apps quietly ditch support for Apple Watch
A few major iPhone apps have recently removed support for watchOS from their iOS updates submitted to App Store, including Google Maps, Amazon and eBay. As first noted by AppleInsider, retailer Target also removed Apple Watch support from one of its recent updates although the company still offer watchOS integration with its Cartwheel app.
Just like Apple Maps, Google Maps now remembers where you parked your car
Google today announced a useful new parking-reminder feature on Google Maps for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Like Apple's implementation, Google Maps does not require you to manually save the location of your parked vehicle thanks to the automatic parking detection which requires that your iPhone be connected to your car using USB audio or Bluetooth.
How to share your real time location on Google Maps
Google recently introduced a location-sharing feature in the mobile Google Maps app that's somewhat similar in functionality to Apple's Find My Friends app. On your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Google Maps allows you to share your location with others for up to 72 hours, choose who can see where you are, hide other people's locations from a map and more.
In this step-by-step tutorial, you'll learn how to share your real-time location on Google Maps with friends and family in case you'd like to let them know where you are and when you’ll get there.
Google Maps gains real time location and trip sharing features
Google today announced that you can now let your friends and family know where you are and when you'll get there, right from Google Maps for iOS and Android. The answer to “where are you?” is only a tap away—with this useful new feature, people you share with can track your real-time location on iPhone, iPad, mobile web and desktop. Additionally, you can share your trip progress from navigation with others.
Google Maps gains 3D Touch place previews
Last week, I whined about Google dragging its feet when it comes to implementing support for important iOS features, like 3D Touch, in apps such as Gmail. Other iPhone and iPad apps from Google have been more aggressive in adopting 3D Touch features, including Maps. In the latest update, Google Maps was bumped to version 4.28 and now allows users who have an iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus to press places on the map to get quicker access to popular actions.
Google Maps for iOS updated with shareable lists of your favorite places
Following its most recent update which brought out the ability to track how busy places are in real-time, Google today announced a new Lists feature on Google Maps for iOS that lets you keep track of your favorite places and easily share them with friends.
Beginning today, users are permitted to create custom lists of places, share their lists with others and follow the lists their friends and family share with them, all without leaving the Google Maps app.
Google Maps for iOS now lets you see in real time how busy your favorite place is
Popular Times is one of the most useful features of Google Maps on the web. Android users have had the privilege of enjoying this feature in the mobile app for quite a few months, and now iPhone and iPad users can see how busy their favorite place is, in real-time, in Google Maps 4.27 for iOS. Aside from this feature, the free download includes the ability to quickly access addresses in the clipboard while searching and bug fixes.
Google rolling out overhauled ride services experience in Maps for iOS
Google today announced that expanded ride options and more actionable information are now available to users of the mobile Google Maps application on iOS and Android.
You can now book, complete and pay for an Uber ride without ever leaving Google Maps, as well as browse useful information related to your destination during the ride with menus, hours and other helpful details only a swipe away.