‘Google Maps’ Updates: Cleaner Appearance, Wi-Fi Only, Transit Delay Notifications

Google has been deploying a lot of updates on its “Google Maps” feature, with a focus on giving users a much more service-oriented experience. The most noteworthy of these updates include the Wi-Fi only toggle, the mass transit delay notifications and the new look of the “Maps.”

The Wi-Fi toggle is meant to save users some data when on the move. They simply need to go to settings and if the option for “Wi-Fi only” is there, they can set their “Maps” feature to stop using data. On that note, Google will notify users that a small amount of data might still be used after turning on the feature for the first time, AndroidPolice reports. Naturally, using the feature will effectively put “Maps” in offline mode, so users should not expect the same features as when they are connected to the internet.

Another feature included in the update is the notifications that users get whenever there’s a delay in mass transit. Users can configure which notification they will get, which will tell them which mode of transport is delayed, from buses to trains. This makes commuting less frustrating by saving users some inconvenience.

The rollout of these features has been a bit slow, however, and there’s no timeline to indicate when they will arrive in certain areas. So for users who have yet to see these features activated on their mobile devices or computers, Google might not have released it in their respective locations.

As for “Google Maps” itself, the feature’s look is getting revamped in order to make it look cleaner and free of clutter, according to Tech Crunch. “Maps” will also have a color scheme that’s more subtle than before to help users identify which items are worthy of note.

Users who bring up “Maps” will notice places that have different shades of orange, which indicate areas of interest. These include restaurants, cafes, malls, and clubs among others.