What you need to know
- Android 16 Beta 2.1 introduces a subtle yet significant enhancement: Live Updates for Google Maps.
- This feature allows users to monitor their navigation progress through the status bar, notification panel, and lock screen.
- However, it is worth noting that the functionality is not fully operational yet, as Live Updates appear collapsed when the always-on display is activated.
Last week, Google unveiled the Android 16 Beta 2.1 update, initially perceived as a minor patch. This update addressed several pesky bugs, including a particularly disruptive issue that caused Pixel phones to restart unexpectedly. Yet, Android expert Mishaal Rahman from Android Authority has uncovered an intriguing addition: support for Live Updates within Google Maps.
These Live Updates, reminiscent of the Live Activities feature found on iPhones, serve as time-sensitive notifications that can be displayed in various areas of your Android device. They offer quick, glanceable information, such as the status of your rideshare or the progress of your journey on Google Maps. Google had previously teased Live Updates during a beta test demo last month, but Android 16 Beta 2.1 marks the first instance of this feature functioning with a real application.
As highlighted by Rahman, the Live Updates for Google Maps are currently operational in select areas within Android 16 Beta 2.1. The intention is for these updates to appear across multiple locations, including the notification panel, lock screen, always-on display, and status bar. Observations from Android Authority indicate that Live Updates from Google Maps are visible in the status bar, lock screen, and notification panel, although support for the always-on display remains incomplete.
According to reports, the Live Updates feature for Google Maps appears in a collapsed view on the always-on display in Android Beta 2.1. In contrast, Google’s earlier beta preview showcased this feature functioning fully with an expanded view on the same display. This discrepancy suggests that Google may still be refining this functionality or that it is currently limited to specific applications.
In the status bar, the Live Updates for Google Maps are notably minimalistic. The small, green pill-shaped notification merely indicates the time remaining until arrival at your destination. For more detailed information, users can turn to the lock screen or notification panel.
As anticipation builds for the official release of Android 16 later this year, it is likely that we will witness expanded capabilities for Live Updates as the Android Beta Program progresses.
