After launching three years ago, Google Maps is re-introducing Apple Watch

Today, Google made two announcements about Google Maps for Apple platforms. First, the Google app now works with displaying the dashboard on CarPlay screens, allowing drivers to view maps and media controls sideways. Second, Google launches the Maps app on the Apple Watch, with turn-by-turn directions.

CarPlay’s dashboard mode was introduced in iOS 13 late last year, but it only supports Apple Maps. Apple began offering other developers the opportunity to take advantage of it in March with the release of iOS 13.4, and today marks the finalization of Google’s support for the feature. Google’s blog post announcing the update says it should reach all users of CarPlay-supported cars today.

However, the new Google Maps app for Apple Watch will not arrive today. Instead, Google promises that the app will “launch worldwide in the coming weeks.” The app will provide “step-by-step” directions for driving, walking, cycling, or taking public transportation.

The Google announcement states that you may receive directions to places you have previously stored, such as the places you have set up as your home or workplace. To go somewhere you have not saved before, you need to start the process on your phone, says the Google blog post.

Google Maps previously offered a Watch app that was an extension of the Google Maps iPhone app, but this was launched in 2017 with no explanation provided for the move. That was part of a general exodus of major Watch apps at the time that also included Amazon and others. Since then, Apple has launched a standalone App Store for the Watch. Previously, users had to initiate Watch downloads of the app from the iPhone.

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