In a significant update, Google Maps has finally brought its speedometer and speed limit features to iPhone and CarPlay users worldwide. This long-awaited rollout comes more than five years after Android users first enjoyed these safety-enhancing tools.
New Features at a Glance
The update introduces two key elements to improve driver awareness:
Speedometer: A circular indicator in the bottom-left corner of the navigation screen displays your current speed.
Speed Limit Indicators: The app now shows speed limits for the road you're traveling on.
These features work in tandem to promote safer driving. The speed indicator changes colour when you exceed the posted limit, providing a visual cue to adjust your speed.
How to Access the New Features
To enable the speedometer and speed limits:
Open Google Maps on your iPhone
Tap your profile icon
Navigate to Settings > Navigation > Driving preferences
Toggle on the desired features
For quick access, you can also tap the Speed Limit indicator to toggle the speedometer on or off during navigation.
Safety Considerations
Google emphasises that the speedometer is for informational purposes only. Drivers should always rely on their vehicle's built-in speedometer for accurate speed readings. External factors may cause discrepancies between the Maps speedometer and your actual speed.
The update is currently available in Google Maps for iOS version 6.123.0. As with many Google updates, this is a server-side rollout, so it may take a few weeks to reach all users globally.
It's worth noting that while this feature is now available for iPhone and CarPlay users, it has not yet been implemented for Android Auto.
This update represents a significant step in Google's efforts to unify the Maps experience across platforms and enhance driver safety worldwide. By providing real-time speed information and limit indicators, Google Maps continues to evolve as an indispensable tool for modern drivers.
Comments