Google Maps for iOS Updated With Spoken Traffic Alerts

Google today updated its Google Maps app to version 4.12, adding spoken traffic alerts in navigation mode as well as the ability to easily add new or missing businesses from the app's sidebar.

googlemapsspoken

Spoken traffic alerts will tell users about traffic congestion and incidents on a user's route. Additionally, users will get traffic descriptions summarizing traffic conditions before they set off on their journey. The feature is similar to Google-owned Waze's notifications, which also verbally points out traffic congestion, incidents and the location of police in the area.

Google Maps is a universal app available for free in the App Store. [Direct Link]

Tag: Google Maps

Top Rated Comments

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scott523

43 months ago

Great to see Google is catching up on this feature. Apple already had this earlier this year at the start of iOS 9 beta.

Rating: 9 Votes

mejsric

43 months ago

If there is no Apple Map then iPhone users probably won't receive this update...

Thanks Apple for creating Apple Map.

Rating: 8 Votes

KALLT

43 months ago

It’s such a shame that Google owns these two applications, they are simply the best in their class. Pity, I don’t want to have anything to do with Google.

Rating: 7 Votes

KALLT

43 months ago

shame you are missing some of the best iOS apps due to what reason?

Google’s business model and attitude towards user privacy for a start. They are ruthless in their collection of data and I’m not going to hand over a steady supply of GPS data along with persistent identifiers for them to store forever and analyse. This data is too sensitive and Apple promises not to do this. Google Maps is a carrot and stick for what they are really after and for me it isn’t a relationship I want to have.

Rating: 6 Votes

Spink10

43 months ago

If there is no Apple Map then iPhone users probably won't receive this update...

Thanks Apple for creating Apple Map.

Very good point

Rating: 4 Votes

KALLT

43 months ago

Why let brand loyalty prevent you from using the superior solution?

Where did I imply that this is about brand loyalty?

Who says Apple promised not to do it though? Have you adjusted your ad settings In Notification Center. There are a few others as well. And afaik Apple does use your info wout sensitivte for data collection

Apple's privacy policy. For instance, they don't use persistent identifiers when you use Apple Maps and they attempt to separate queries from each other to ensure that they don't have a complete picture of your journeys. In addition they don't tie this to your Apple ID, rather random non-persistent identifiers. You can opt out of analytics in the settings app.

It's not the best guarantee, admittedly, but so far Apple has a much better track record with wee incentive to do it and we know for a fact that Google meticulously collects data and doesn't let go of it.

That's reason enough for me. I don't need this and if I miss out on a good maps app then so be it.

Rating: 3 Votes

sundog925

43 months ago

what's Apple maps?

Rating: 3 Votes

shamino

43 months ago

You do realise that obeying the speed limits would even be more of lifesaver ;-)

Not necessarily. Many cities (well, at least Washington DC, which I'm personally familiar with) sets up countless photo speed traps. Like when they decide stick a 35MPH sign on an interstate highway in order to issue several thousand $100+ tickets a day to everybody who is (safely) driving 55-65 on that road.

Slamming on your brakes to obey that limit would be far more dangerous than going through at 55 and getting the ticket.

Of course, avoiding Washington DC altogether is an even bigger lifesaver, but that's not always an option.

Rating: 3 Votes

KALLT

43 months ago

But Apple has improved a lot for a very short period of time and I give them credit for that. Besides this Google map improvement is from Waze anyways. That means Google bought the company and ported it to their map. It is not something they just develop themselves.

Apple bought at least one company (PlaceBase) before they released Apple Maps. It is also built upon TomTom’s cartography and most of the POI data comes from third-party services like Yelp. It’s a patchwork of technologies and services.

It doesn’t really make a difference anyway. Either they have employees specialised in this or they buy or hire companies that have these employees. Google has the right people and the early investment into the service really paid off. Apple just never bothered with Maps before they had to.

Rating: 3 Votes

miknos

43 months ago

Good to see Google adding more Waze features. Unfortunately Apple Maps just works decently in US.
Waze is the best (you can see by its ratings) but I HATE having to give the option to ALWAYS use location services. The app is always sneaking your location in the background. Even when you put it to sleep, saying the app won't use data or battery. That's a big lie since you can see the arrow on the top right corner.
Since Waze don't have the option ONLY WHILE USING, I have to turn on before using and disabling after so it doesn't drain my battery and keep giving Google my locations all the time.
That gives you an idea how Google operate. Hoping for Apple to catch up soon so I can give Google the finger ASAP.

Rating: 3 Votes

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