When I saw that Google had a new version of maps available last night I was really excited. However, that excitement died down really fast when I saw how much they'd stripped from it. Just read the 1- and 2-star rating comments that this app is now getting on Google Play if you don't take my word for it.
Here's just some of the big disappointments:
- No more Google Latitude, though in fairness this isn't really a problem with Maps per se, because Google is SHUTTING DOWN Latitude on August 9th. They want us to use Google+ and its Locations feature as a replacement, but Locations is mere toy compared to what Latitude was able to do. It's a sad joke. To make matters worse, the location sharing feature of Google+ only works if the app is a SYSTEM APP. If your phone didn't come with it and you initially installed Google+ from the Play Store, Locations WILL NOT WORK. You must have a rooted phone on which you can assign Google+ to a system app using a tool such as Titanium Backup.
- No more Labs functions. One of the features I used to adore on my S4 was the "Larger Text" lab. This worked great on phones with 1080p screens, as the native text was just too small. The new maps app has small text, especially on a 1080p screen.
- No access to "My Maps". I read somewhere that this will be restored IN THE FUTURE, but until then you won't have access to your custom routes and maps if you upgrade to 7.0.
- No more zoom buttons on the map, though it is apparently possible to double-tap, and the swipe up or down to change the zoom. However, this still isn't as convenient under some circumstances.
- No more scale on the map. Okay, not everyone used this, but I liked knowing how far 1 km (or 1 mile) was on the map at the current zoom level.
- The Pegman in Streetview is gone and overall this feature seems less usable than it was before.
- Offline maps are still available, but they've been hidden. It's rather like an Easter Egg now, in that you must type (or say) "OK Maps" to get it to cache what you are zoomed in on at the time. However, it doesn't store as large an area as before and there is NO WAY to list or administer your cached local maps.
- Many people have reported that Navigation is now quite buggy, though I haven't had a chance to try it myself.
- You can no longer create navigation shortcuts and no Navigation icon appears on your phone. To use Navigation you must start Maps first and go through that.
- No more Terrain layer.
------------------------------------------------
So, if you are curious about trying Maps 7.0, then I strongly recommend that you backup your copy of the older maps first (if you have Titanium Backup or another apps for backing up your apps). Failing that, Google has made the old version available for downloading, if you can find it.
If you have Titanium Backup, use it to remove Maps from Play Store list so that it won't keep popping up as an update. You might accidentally install it.
Double tap, hold and swipe over the screen to zoom with one finger. Worked in maps 6.x and still works with maps 7.
To get access to your places, you just have to simply press the icon on the right side of the search bar, and there they are.
neluba said:
Double tap, hold and swipe over the screen to zoom with one finger. Worked in maps 6.x and still works with maps 7.
To get access to your places, you just have to simply press the icon on the right side of the search bar, and there they are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was not aware of the double-tap shortcut for zoom, but I tried it and it certainly does work. I edited the original post to reflect this.
However, I think you might have misunderstood what I meant concerning the second issue. I'm not so much interest in "My Places", but the sub-category of that called "My Maps". These are custom routes and maps you can create with the desktop version of Maps and they were loadable on Maps for Android prior to version 7.0. I double-checked to make sure they weren't there on 7.0, and they definitely aren't. I edited the original post to say just "My Maps" to clarify this point.
You can still launch navigation by voice, but it opens maps then navigation. What I'm not liking about this is that I often launch navigation by voice and like being able to change my route and check off avoid tolls and/or highways. This now has to be done from maps before launching navigation. A bit inconvenient.
Steve Punter said:
- You can no longer create navigation shortcuts and no Navigation icon appears on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still have a separate Navigation icon? Takes me right to the 'choose destination' screen in Navigation...?
Sent from my LG-LS970 using xda premium
Another thing to note which is now missing (I believe) is the separate "Car Mode" Maps display.
This was a quasi 3d display, similar to the old all-in-one GPS units, that followed the car movement from behind. This used to pop up automatically when my 'car mode' was activated. This mode would not screen time-out. Now it just pops up with the standard maps display, which will time-out and not follow along/scroll with your car position.
The offline maps feature has been added back in a small update. Still not done right, but it's at least accessible and not an easter egg.
I think latitude's features are supposed to be rolled into G+ before latitude itself is shut down.
Hadn't heard about the rest, but several sound like serious leaps backwards.
Well that's 3 google apps I'm leaving old versions now, all within the last few months I had to stop applying updates, I gave it a try and I agree, it sucks
Maps, GMail, and Talk.
I'm so disappointed in Google lately, nothing good has come out of their updates. I bought in to their infrastructure and now they're just ****ing around with me as they please. I wish they had a competitor worth a damn (Bing's worse imo).
Fire their new UI guys and let engineers develop apps again, sick of this design first philosophy that doesn't work.
what's remained ???
i will update and see what happens
waylo said:
Another thing to note which is now missing (I believe) is the separate "Car Mode" Maps display.
This was a quasi 3d display, similar to the old all-in-one GPS units, that followed the car movement from behind. This used to pop up automatically when my 'car mode' was activated. This mode would not screen time-out. Now it just pops up with the standard maps display, which will time-out and not follow along/scroll with your car position.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is mainly what I use Google Maps for in my car, had to downgrade to 6.x to get this back
I used Latitude a lot... now I have to use a separate (broken) app to see my latitude contacts? Shouldn't that be in the MAPS program?
Double tab to zoom,, it works to my phone in this last maps..:good::good:
Everyone talking about the update but how come I still can't get it!!! I'm on ICS 4.0.4 ...usa
Sent from my C5170 using xda premium
I also have the difficulty to see the tiny street name on the map. Why won't Google make the font size user adjustable.
I probably have to keep using the old version of Google maps unless a larger text is allowed.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Steve Punter said:
I was not aware of the double-tap shortcut for zoom, but I tried it and it certainly does work. I edited the original post to reflect this.
However, I think you might have misunderstood what I meant concerning the second issue. I'm not so much interest in "My Places", but the sub-category of that called "My Maps". These are custom routes and maps you can create with the desktop version of Maps and they were loadable on Maps for Android prior to version 7.0. I double-checked to make sure they weren't there on 7.0, and they definitely aren't. I edited the original post to say just "My Maps" to clarify this point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just installed version 7 and no ``My Places``, how do we downgrade to the old version?
Downgrade?
raczyk said:
Just installed version 7 and no ``My Places``, how do we downgrade to the old version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I concur but don't know how to do that. I want the old version back. Anyone?
Thanks
Related
"We've made some improvements to Bing. To continue using the Bing app, you must update now."
That's the message that people have been getting since mid July when they try to use live search or the classic version of the Bing app.
Has anyone found a way to disable the update check feature? Once that message popsup, Bing becomes unusable.
The new version of Bing, while giving Navigation, takes away several nice features, like being able to save to contacts, search by movie theatre, view gas prices and more.
Classic or old version = before 5.x releases
I missed the ability to search for the gas prices. Sure, bing is a nice feature when searching for things, but it sucks as a stand alone app when your looking for LOCATION SPECIFIC things.
The only resolution I can think of is to find what site it gets the gas prices/ movie listings from and make a sub-bing app that only has those things.
Well for a really annoying work around you can enable airplane mode before you open Bing, then disable it after it is open. Works till next opening.
Problem still here. Microsoft still has no response:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com...e/thread/8bb5eed8-2ab6-4233-a5c6-4c9c4326a11e
Just installed it and loving it. Supposedly will only run on 4.2 or higher unless you wait for the official update on play store. I was waiting for this so figured I would share the knowledge.
Jmarv said:
Just installed it and loving it. Supposedly will only run on 4.2 or higher unless you wait for the official update on play store. I was waiting for this so figured I would share the knowledge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/0...interface-refresh-functionality-enhancements/
help if i posted the link...
Thanks! Seems great, can't wait to try it out
My HTC One on AT&T has not gotten the Maps update yet. I downloaded the APK from Androidpolice and it's working, but now I read there is a 7.0.1 update where they added the Offline maps selection when viewing the map (as opposed to having to type "Ok Maps" in the first release). However, I cannot find an updated APK for Android 4.1.2 devices... the two APK's I downloaded which were 7.0.1 could not be parsed because I'm not on 4.2. Anyone know where I can find the 7.0.1 APK for Android 4.1.2?
Also, for those of you with HTC One's, can you confirm whether addresses from the Phone application will open the new Google Maps app? On my device, if I click on an address from the Phone/Contacts app, it doesn't do anything now, whereas before it would open the address in Google Maps (on the older version).
Anyone else?
Travisimo said:
My HTC One on AT&T has not gotten the Maps update yet. I downloaded the APK from Androidpolice and it's working, but now I read there is a 7.0.1 update where they added the Offline maps selection when viewing the map (as opposed to having to type "Ok Maps" in the first release). However, I cannot find an updated APK for Android 4.1.2 devices... the two APK's I downloaded which were 7.0.1 could not be parsed because I'm not on 4.2. Anyone know where I can find the 7.0.1 APK for Android 4.1.2?
Also, for those of you with HTC One's, can you confirm whether addresses from the Phone application will open the new Google Maps app? On my device, if I click on an address from the Phone/Contacts app, it doesn't do anything now, whereas before it would open the address in Google Maps (on the older version).
Anyone else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Actually, when I tap an address in contacts, it opens at&t navigator, which I am not using. I disabled it and now nothing happens at all when you tap the address. I was hoping that by disabling the at&t navigator it would default back to Google maps.
Also, if you just tap in the empty search bar, it will bring up the information cards. Just scroll down to the bottom and the option to store the map offline is already there in this version.
nextelfixer said:
Same here. Actually, when I tap an address in contacts, it opens at&t navigator, which I am not using. I disabled it and now nothing happens at all when you tap the address. I was hoping that by disabling the at&t navigator it would default back to Google maps.
Also, if you just tap in the empty search bar, it will bring up the information cards. Just scroll down to the bottom and the option to store the map offline is already there in this version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, somehow the contacts app just lost connection to the maps app with this version, so even if you don't have another app set as default, it just does nothing when you click an address. My initially was opening Glympse because I had that installed, but even after uninstalling it, it still isn't opening Maps. Definitely a bug between the HTC contacts app and the new Maps... which means it's probably not going to fixed for some time. I'm hoping that the upcoming HTC One update to 4.2 will fix it... but who knows when AT&T will be rolling that out. I'm not interested at this time in rooting my phone and installing a custom rom to try to fix this.
Thanks for the tip about the offline maps setting, I found it.
EDIT: There is still a way to get a contact address to appear in the new maps. Just start typing the name of the contact that has an associated address and it'll show up in the search results. Not as convenient, but at least it's a workaround for now!
I like it but driving along the navigation lags behind where I actually am
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Travisimo said:
My HTC One on AT&T has not gotten the Maps update yet. I downloaded the APK from Androidpolice and it's working, but now I read there is a 7.0.1 update where they added the Offline maps selection when viewing the map (as opposed to having to type "Ok Maps" in the first release). However, I cannot find an updated APK for Android 4.1.2 devices... the two APK's I downloaded which were 7.0.1 could not be parsed because I'm not on 4.2. Anyone know where I can find the 7.0.1 APK for Android 4.1.2?
Also, for those of you with HTC One's, can you confirm whether addresses from the Phone application will open the new Google Maps app? On my device, if I click on an address from the Phone/Contacts app, it doesn't do anything now, whereas before it would open the address in Google Maps (on the older version).
Anyone else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I received the 7.0.1 update through the Play store this afternoon (I'm on AT&T stock 4.1.2). When I click on addresses in Contacts it gives me the option to open the address with AT&T Navigator or Waze but not Maps. Not sure what the behavior was with earlier versions of Maps because I never tried it before now.
mchinand said:
I received the 7.0.1 update through the Play store this afternoon (I'm on AT&T stock 4.1.2). When I click on addresses in Contacts it gives me the option to open the address with AT&T Navigator or Waze but not Maps. Not sure what the behavior was with earlier versions of Maps because I never tried it before now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The correct behavior would be to ask you what app to use for links, including the Maps app. But since the link to Maps is broken, it is just asking you amongst your other compatible apps. If you don't have any other compatible apps, it will do nothing when you select an address.
Note that this just happens in the Phone/Contacts app though in Sense. If you use Chrome or another Google app that has an address or map link, it will still open in the new Maps. So it might be something HTC has to fix, or it might be something just broken with the API in the new Maps app. Only time will tell, but as I mentioned, you can start typing a contact name in the new Maps app, and it will show the address, so that's a workaround for now.
I had to uninstall and reinstall old version. If I zoom out past a certain point, the map doesn't render.. I'm on ARHD 12 if that matters.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
born_fisherman said:
I had to uninstall and reinstall old version. If I zoom out past a certain point, the map doesn't render.. I'm on ARHD 12 if that matters.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's hard to say whether it's your custom rom or not, but the maps renders fine at all zoom levels on my HTC One running 4.1.2 stock.
Hi,
I am looking for a simple map viewer for Gear 2.
There are a few apps for maps but they all focus on navigation. I am not interested in navigation. I just would like to have a snapshot of my location on Google Map. (Also maybe moving around the map by gestures.)
Is it too difficult to write such app ?
There are tons of nonsense apps which are really far more complex than this but nobody has ever wrote such simple one.
thx.
mrmrmrmr said:
Hi,
I am looking for a simple map viewer for Gear 2.
There are a few apps for maps but they all focus on navigation. I am not interested in navigation. I just would like to have a snapshot of my location on Google Map. (Also maybe moving around the map by gestures.)
Is it too difficult to write such app ?
There are tons of nonsense apps which are really far more complex than this but nobody has ever wrote such simple one.
thx.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could be more difficult then you think.
On android you put a mapview object in your app and ask it to load a map for a location, that is basically it.
There is also a web api for google maps to use in a browser (never done that myself);
That is what is need for the gear, but the gear browser (the apps are basically browser windows with html5/css/javascript),
can not get the maps data by itself, it has to get it via the phone app.....
mrmrmrmr said:
Hi,
I am looking for a simple map viewer for Gear 2.
There are a few apps for maps but they all focus on navigation. I am not interested in navigation. I just would like to have a snapshot of my location on Google Map. (Also maybe moving around the map by gestures.)
Is it too difficult to write such app ?
There are tons of nonsense apps which are really far more complex than this but nobody has ever wrote such simple one.
thx.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try the gear navigator that is available from the samsung store since yesterday. Yes if focuses on navigation but will also show a snapshot of the map on the gear2.
/A
AnderlR72 said:
try the gear navigator that is available from the samsung store since yesterday. Yes if focuses on navigation but will also show a snapshot of the map on the gear2.
/A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have already tried it today.
It's too far complex , and the result is:
- battery consuming on the phone, because the app has to be on foreground and it uses GPS all the time.
- battery consuming on the Gear itself. (nonstop connection to the phone)
- necessity to have a running navigation. Why do I need it when I just want to see a snapshot of my location ?
- necessity to run the app on phone (can't run anything to view on phone screen)
Instead of all that necessity and complexity, I am just looking for a snapshot of my current location. Maybe updated on touch of a screen, or update every few minutes...
This way it wouldn't consume battery of the Watch and the Phone.
klwinkel said:
It could be more difficult then you think.
On android you put a mapview object in your app and ask it to load a map for a location, that is basically it.
There is also a web api for google maps to use in a browser (never done that myself);
That is what is need for the gear, but the gear browser (the apps are basically browser windows with html5/css/javascript),
can not get the maps data by itself, it has to get it via the phone app.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in fact, a very simplistic approach would be;
- get a screenshot of Google Maps on phone every X seconds
- update it to the browser window on Gear 2.
mrmrmrmr said:
in fact, a very simplistic approach would be;
- get a screenshot of Google Maps on phone every X seconds
- update it to the browser window on Gear 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But for the screenshot, the phone need to be on and then you could better use the phone anyway.
you want to be able to do it with the phone in your pocket, screen locked.
but keep thinking, maybe we discover a way to do it......
Hi,
Apart from my screenshot idea, I believe this is much more simple than creating a navigation app. It will just update the current location view periodically.
No one is interested in this ?
thx.
Finally. Someone made it. Thanks to Aleksandr Martiushev. App name is Gear Guide.
mrmrmrmr said:
Finally. Someone made it. Thanks to Aleksandr Martiushev. App name is Gear Guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know where I can find it? Because I'm searching on Samsung App but I can't found nothing.. :\
S3th94 said:
You know where I can find it? Because I'm searching on Samsung App but I can't found nothing.. :\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It shows for me on a Sprint Note 3. Yet another case of the Samsung/Galaxy Gear store not showing availability for all phones.
JimSmith94 said:
It shows for me on a Sprint Note 3. Yet another case of the Samsung/Galaxy Gear store not showing availability for all phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never mind, it was a my error, it's also available for Galaxy S3. The app works fine, waiting for an implementation of a blue line for the indications, like on google maps!
Hi guys
ive never noticed this feature until recently while using google maps to nav (its system app installed)
if ive got say 5km on a straight road, google maps would zoom out so that both my destination and current position is visible on the screen, which i find terribly annoying.
is there a way to keep it focused on me at all times and not just when im coming up to an intersection or turn?
Hi,
there is any way to make Google Maps works without the mobile phone with the non LTE version?
I mean my watch 4 have the GPS sensor, if it is connected to the city WIFi, I'm able to open Maps, see where I'm, but when I select a destination point it doesn't start the navigation.. Y?
Then, there is any way to download some Maps area to use it offline? Would be very useful to running without mobile phone..
Thanks!!
Same question...
I can't believe that Google redeveloped this application and still left it in such a poor state. I don't know why you can't use it offline in the slightest - you'd think the most powerful smartwatch going would be able to navigate at least basically by downloading offline maps to the watch - there is plenty of space for it.
You can't even appear to move the map around when navigating...
Currently if your phone dies for any reason you have no chance of navigating out with Google maps on your watch.
LaurenceGough said:
I can't believe that Google redeveloped this application and still left it in such a poor state. I don't know why you can't use it offline in the slightest - you'd think the most powerful smartwatch going would be able to navigate at least basically by downloading offline maps to the watch - there is plenty of space for it.
You can't even appear to move the map around when navigating...
Currently if your phone dies for any reason you have no chance of navigating out with Google maps on your watch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. Currently you can create offline maps in Google Maps on the phone app. I do this quite a bit because I'm in areas without mobile data. It would be great if they had a feature in Google Maps (phone) where you could download the maps to your watch. It currently lets you download them to SD card. The map that I use the most which covers much of the state of Wisconsin is only 300 mb.
What is even more maddening about the Google Maps watch app is that it does not work when you are running google maps on phone with offline map (with no mobile data). At the very least you would think the watch could use the offline map on phone.
You mentioned your concern of phone dieing and navigating out. Navigating out of what? There are map apps which you can download maps to your watch. I have not found a free one but ViewRanger looks promising. Not sure I'm ready to pay $40 a year though...
My watch has 4G connection but i don't know how to use map without my phone.
its not starting unless my phone is connected to the watch
affe2000 said:
My watch has 4G connection but i don't know how to use map without my phone.
its not starting unless my phone is connected to the watch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the LTE version, so can't vouch for this personally, but this might help:
unfortunally this is not working in my case. i have the same settings turned on but the watch still want my phone to be connected
Unfortunately, the method shown also did not work for me.
When connected to the phone (S9), my Galaxy watch4 (non LTE version), allows me to search for locations on the watch, but Google Maps also opens up on the phone, so I have the required maps and directions both on the phone and on the watch.
Together (connected), they function without problem.
Away from the phone, after opening Maps on the watch and searching for directions, all I get is a blue dot on the centre of the watch screen and a message "Waiting for location..." until, after a minute or so, an exclamation mark shows up above the message "Couldn't get location".
Is there any solution to "navigate" with Maps independently from the phone?
Only thing to do is be as loud as possible until google actually fixes it. Having no offline map when the older samsung watches had it is outrageous.
oniceto said:
Unfortunately, the method shown also did not work for me.
When connected to the phone (S9), my Galaxy watch4 (non LTE version), allows me to search for locations on the watch, but Google Maps also opens up on the phone, so I have the required maps and directions both on the phone and on the watch.
Together (connected), they function without problem.
Away from the phone, after opening Maps on the watch and searching for directions, all I get is a blue dot on the centre of the watch screen and a message "Waiting for location..." until, after a minute or so, an exclamation mark shows up above the message "Couldn't get location".
Is there any solution to "navigate" with Maps independently from the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The method shown on video was for a LTE watch. Regarding a solution for navigating away from phone, unfortunately not. The ideal option would be for there to be an option to move offline maps (which currently can be created with Google Maps on your phone) to your watch. The file sizes are not that big. Another thing that would be nice is if they allowed you to navigate with non-LTE watch connected to phone which was using offline maps. Currently this does not work. The phone needs data (LTE or wifi) in order to navigate on non-LTE watch with Maps.
Is there any alternative app that works standalone?
affe2000 said:
Is there any alternative app that works standalone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was going to suggest open street map, but it doesn't appear there is a wearOS version.
OsmAnd — Maps & GPS Offline - Apps on Google Play
Navigation on hikes is no longer a problem. Download the map, put notes and go!
play.google.com
Simple OSM Viewer - Apps on Google Play
Open street maps and OpenTOPO viewer with drag, zoom, and my location options
play.google.com
You might be able to at least make a vector PDF of a map of an area and view THAT somehow on the watch.
I don't understand how it is not possible yet to use an online or offline map on the Galaxy Watch only. Specially a GPX Reader with your current position (like GPX Viewer)
Offline
https://www.reddit.com/r/WearOS/comments/ugk8jw
There is an excellent app called "Maps" (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.trackwear.maps) which has ability to download maps for offline use. You select square of area which you want to be downloaded and that's it. You can even select do themes of maps like Satellite view with street names or something else like terrain.
I am also searching for offline maps and without Phone...
Somebody tested the Pro Version with Germany?
GPS Navigation (Wear OS) - Apps on Google Play
Turn-by-turn navigation and offline maps
play.google.com
Need for Germany offline solution...
Thanx in advance.
Best Regards