Google Maps changes the way to hide the search bar and other UI elements
If you use Google Maps on your Android or iOS device, you might have noticed a change in how to hide the UI elements on the screen. Instead of tapping on the map, which was a simple gesture, you now have to swipe up on the search bar. Google tells you this with a prompt: “To see the full map, swipe up on the search bar.”
This change is not so user-friendly, as swiping up on the search bar is not a common or easy gesture. It also sometimes takes two swipes to hide everything. In addition, tapping on the map now places a pin right away, which might be annoying for some users.
The tap to hide gesture was a useful feature of Google Maps that many users liked. It is not clear why Google decided to get rid of it and replace it with another gesture. Some users have complained about this change in the Google Maps Help forum since February, but it seems to have become more widespread lately.
Google has revamped the user interface for Google Assistant on Android Auto, which brings noticeable changes in its design during voice interaction. After this update, the new look of Google Assistant is quite similar to Apple’s Siri interface on CarPlay.
This new UI appears different from the existing bottom bar for initial commands and is specifically used when Google Assistant is waiting for user input or processing a response.
If you ask Google Assistant to find a nearby post office, the new UI pops up when it asks which location you want to go to. This interface responds in real-time as the Assistant speaks and while you’re replying, disappearing once the request is completed. The new UI changes resemble how Siri is displayed on CarPlay.
The revamped UI offers a fresh and more engaging look for voice interactions on Android Auto. It is currently available on Galaxy Z Fold 6 smartphone with Android Auto version 12.5. The update is rolling out gradually so it will appear on your device in the coming days.
Aside from this, Google is also offering offline maps feature to Wear OS. The feature is currently spotted on the Pixel series but will expand to more Wear OS devices soon. It allows you to use Google Maps even when you don’t have internet access.
Google has rolled out a new update for its Google Drive app, which brings a JPEG file format for scanned documents. Previously, users could only save their scans as PDFs but they can now enjoy JPEG format too.
With the updated version 2.24.x, Google Drive allows users to save scanned documents as JPEG files for Android devices. Users can select JPEG from the “Save to Drive” screen after taking and editing a photo.
The new option provides more flexibility in how users manage their scanned documents. Notably, The JPEG file format is highly convenient because it is universally supported and can be easily opened with standard applications on any device. This widespread compatibility makes JPEG a popular choice for images and photos.
The feature is being rolled out to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and personal Google account holders. However, it is not yet available for Google Drive on iOS devices.
Aside from this, Google Sheets has also added a new “Convert to table” suggestion feature, which is powered by Gemini AI. This feature helps users convert their data into well-formatted tables with enhanced data types. Users can preview the table format before making the conversion.
These new features make it easier for users to manage and organize their documents and data. You can check and install the update through the Google Play Store.
Wear OS 5.1 could be based on Android 15, testing already in progress
Google Maps is expanding its offline capabilities for Wear OS, which was announced with the latest Pixel Watch 3. The feature is now available on the Galaxy Pixel Watch 2 with Google Maps version 11.140.0701.W.
The search giant is making offline maps support for more Wear OS devices. This feature lets you use Google Maps even when you don’t have internet access.
With the updated Google Maps for Wear OS, users will benefit from the addition of offline maps. The feature automatically downloads maps from your phone directly to your watch. When you open the Google Maps app, you’ll find a new “Offline maps” section located just above Settings in the main menu.
The watch automatically downloads a map of your local area. It also syncs any offline maps you already have on your phone. This syncing happens automatically when your watch is connected to Wi-Fi and charging. This means you don’t have to do anything manually to keep your maps up-to-date.
On the “Offline maps” page on your watch, you can check how much space the downloaded maps are using. If you need to free up some space, you can easily delete the maps with just a tap. This feature is mainly useful for those who want to manage their watch’s storage efficiently.
Google Maps for Android brings simplified bottom bar interface