Google has announced its latest update for Google Maps on iOS, bringing two key features: support for the latest and greatest feature of CarPlay, as well as bringing back an Apple Watch app for the navigation platform. The two add-ons are a welcome change for users who are solid in the Apple ecosystem, but who prefer to use the Google mapping app instead of Apple’s.
In case you missed it for the first time, know this: Apple’s CarPlay has a relatively new Dashboard mode that arrived in iOS 13 last year. This allows companies to offer their users support for a split-screen UI in CarPlay that presents the app alongside tools such as calendar info and music controls.
In a blog post on Monday, Google said that its Google Maps app definitely supports CarPlay’s Dashboard Mode, giving users access to this handy and argumentative essential split-screen feature. With this support, users are presented with a map that shows their navigation route along with a map for directions, those that are accompanied by another map with some other features such as music controls.
Joining the CarPlay split-screen support comes the return of a Google Maps app for Apple Watch. Unfortunately, this app offers Apple Watch users access to their navigation data directly on their wrist, making it easier for users traveling or certain other types of transportation, such as trains, to reach their destination.
The updated app provides access to saved destinations and various user-specified keyboard shortcuts, arrival time estimates and remote written directions. Users can use their iPhone to start the navigation first, and then put it in the pocket and get the route guidance on their wrist.
