The Most Anticipated Google Maps Feature

 Availability of The Most Anticipated Google Maps Feature on Android Auto 

If you're a Google Maps enthusiast, you're likely aware that the level of information inside Google Maps is unrivalled by anything else, with the exemption of a very limited few like Waze . Plus, there are plenty of good, credible GPS apps that work well but not all work great with Google Assistant, which is a key feature of Google Maps and a feature you need to work well while driving. Android Auto contains all the exact same features as your handset does, but the main differences are the optimization for voice is front and centre. However, it is recommended to get the destination onto your phone before you attach the handset to your car. That way, you can quickly get yourself up and running without touching Android Auto in the car at all. Enter the destination and start navigation, plug your phone into the car, and the destination will be entered as Android Auto starts up. Google has started the rollout of the most anticipated Google Maps update on Android Auto, finally enabling incident reporting for the first set of users.

Google adopted this feature in 2019 when it brought incident reporting to mobile devices. Earlier this year, as part of a sudden change of mind that fuelled rumours about a potential merger of Google Maps and Waze, Google brought incident reporting to Google Maps on CarPlay. Incident reporting has become a must-have component of modern navigation apps. Waze pioneered this idea, allowing users to pin the location of certain hazards on the map. Using crowdsourced data, Waze generated warnings displayed to users whose routes included the flagged points, eventually making every route safer and more predictable. The feature debuted alongside the long overdue speedometer, and everybody believed the same update would eventually expand to Android Auto.

Google remained rather tight-lipped on incident reporting in Google Maps on Android Auto, with the company eventually confirming during the summer that this feature would also come to users on its playground. The frustration was obvious, as many blasted Google for being more committed to Apple's platform than to its own operating system, but this isn't the first time this has happened, so it's nothing new. Google has now started rolling out incident reporting in Google Maps on Android, with the first set of users receiving the new features as part of a server-side update. This means that updating to the latest Android version of Google Maps, though you should, as this is the only way to get the latest fixes and improvements – won't bring you incident reporting on Android Auto. Google enables the feature in waves, and your turn will come when the company considers your device ready.

The incident reporting option on Android Auto looks and feels similar to its CarPlay sibling. There's a + symbol on the main screen, and tapping it launches the list of hazards which you can report, including closed lanes, road works, traffic jams and accidents. You must tap this report button when you spot the hazard, select one from the list, and that's it. It shouldn't take more than a few seconds to report an incident, but make sure you do it only when it's safe, as most users use this feature with touch, meaning that they take their eyes off the road. If you need to make more than one stop, it's worth setting up your route on your phone before you even put the car in drive. You can create the route using the additional stop feature and connect to Android Auto. Trying to import multiple stops directly into Android Auto in your car is a little time-consuming to say the least, so it's worth doing that ahead of time. Google has yet to announce the new feature, but expect the company to share more information later this year when more Android Auto features are ready. For example, Google is also working on adding radio support and local media playback to Android Auto, and it will likely be available when become ready for everyone.