Google Maps update will also show traffic lights and stop signs in the future

A new Google Maps update is to provide additional information during navigation in the future. The company has now revealed this in a blog entry. In the future, the navigation and maps app will display a lot of additional information about the road traveled.

Google Maps update brings meaningful new features

Most exciting is the display of traffic lights and stop signs, which is introduced with the Google Maps update. Thus, it can be seen directly on the map whether and where on the current road on the way to the entered destination must be stopped.

At the same time, other information such as the outlines of buildings or areas of interest should be displayed. In selected cities there are additional details such as the shape and width of the road, including traffic islands and more. This is to help provide a better understanding of where you are and make it easier to choose the right lane.

Toll road feature coming, but not in Germany for now

In the US, the new Google Maps update also comes with a display of toll roads and informs about the prices to be expected. Thanks to the new feature, toll prices are also displayed directly in the Maps app for the first time. Including a combined total price.

Google is working with various toll operators for this. However, this feature will initially only be available on about 2,000 toll roads in the U.S., Japan and Indonesia at launch – other countries are to follow “soon”.

Google Maps update for iOS

Especially on iOS, Google Maps comes up with additional improvements. Among them, a new widget for the home screen, with which, for example, pinned, previously set tours can be saved directly as a widget. It also displays the estimated time of arrival, the next departure time when using public transportation, and optional route suggestions. The already available Google Maps search widget has also been reduced in size and will take up less space in the future.

It will also be possible to navigate directly via an Apple Watch in the future. Even if the smartphone is not present. “Starting in a few weeks,” it should be possible to start navigation via Google Maps on the smartwatch. With the help of the “Take me home” complication, you can be navigated home at the touch of a button. In addition, Google Maps will be integrated directly into Siri, Spotlight and the iOS Shortcuts app.

The Google Maps update with enhanced road information is expected to roll out in selected countries in the coming weeks for Android, iOS, Android Auto and CarPlay. The Siri functionality is expected to wait until summer 2022.