The latest update to Google Maps means the navigation tool is now more useful than ever.
The new update adds voice controls, meaning that users can keep their hands on the wheel and concentrate on driving when looking for a destination.
The update also adds other voice commands which as well as helping with navigation can also help to start a phone call or select your favourite music.
The new features, which are currently only available in the Android version of Google Maps, can be downloaded right now.
Among other new features rolled out in this update are the options to find the nearest gas stations, avoid tollways and even dictate an SMS to one of your contacts.
The new features are activated by saying “OK Google” whenever Google Maps is running.
Once enabled, a white microphone icon will be displayed in the top right hand corner of the screen, which will then begin detecting any voice commands.
The new ‘While Driving’ option means that drivers can open and use Google Maps without ever needing to handle their smartphone.
Some of the voice commands you can use in Google Maps are things like:
“How do I get to [name of place]?”
“What road is this?”
“What’s my ETA?”
“How’s traffic ahead?”
“What’s the closest hotel?”
“Find gas stations.”
The release of the latest update follows a number of recent improvements to Google Maps.
Once such improvement has seen local speed limits now being displayed, as well as a new offline mode and MicroSD storage option, meaning that users can save on data costs and roaming charges, or whenever mobile data use is spotty.
Google also introduced the option to add multiple stops to a journey for users on iOS, after being initially rolled out to Android users last year.
Frustratingly, the latest update to Google Maps is initially available to Android users in the US, before a worldwide rollout by the end of the year.
Source: Google Maps
