Google Maps on iPhone Getting New Commuting Features and Apple Music Integration This Week - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Google Maps on iPhone Getting New Commuting Features and Apple Music Integration This Week

by

Google Maps will soon feature an all-new Commute tab that provides one-tap access to live traffic and transit information.

google maps commute
The new tab will tell you if your commute is going to be a normal one, or if you'll need to budget extra time due to things like an accident or heavy traffic. Google is introducing support for mixed-mode commutes that involve both driving and public transit, with helpful information along each leg of the trip.

In addition, transit riders in 80 regions worldwide will be able to see exactly where their bus or train is in real time on the map. Starting in Sydney, Australia, Google Maps will also indicate how full the next bus or train is. Google says the latter feature will be coming to more cities around the globe soon.

Last, Google says it is making Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Play Music playback controls accessible within Google Maps.

The new features will start rolling out globally on iOS and Android this week.

Top Rated Comments

zorinlynx Avatar
98 months ago
And I still remember all too well how Google refused to add turn by turn navigation in their ios app, until Apple released Maps. I'll never forgive them for that and will always tilt towards other options when possible.
Google didn't have their own iOS app until after Apple released Maps because Apple DID NOT ALLOW IT, plain and simple.

The Maps app in iOS has always been Apple's. Back when it used Google Maps, it was really Apple's app using Google's data. Google did not write nor maintain that app, and it shipped as part of iOS. The refusal to have turn by turn directions in that app was Apple's, not Google's.

Only once Apple Maps came about did they finally allow Google to write their own Maps app; as far as I'm concerned that was the best thing that ever happened for Google Maps on iOS because they were extremely stifled before by Apple's refusal to let them write the app.

I don't mean to be combative, I just get tired of people getting the history behind this wrong. Apple was the bad guy here, not Google.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Aluminum213 Avatar
98 months ago
And in about 20 years we can expect this in Apple Maps
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tzm41 Avatar
98 months ago
Google owns Waze. Waze has been doing this forever. What’s the difference between the two and why switch? Not trashing google just honestly asking why make two identical apps
Maybe there are people like me who don't appreciate the cartoonishly styled and ad plagued Waze app.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
shyam09 Avatar
98 months ago
I vividly remember Google releasing their first iOS Maps app some time after iOS 6 came out with Apple Maps.

Before that, Google did not have their own Maps app on iOS. The "Google Maps" in iOS was an Apple-created app and its lack of features was on Apple.

If you have a link to information that disputes this, please post it because I don't recall any sort of alternative Google Maps app for iOS before iOS 6 came out. I'm quite curious myself if I'm actually wrong, it's just that my own memory completely supports what I wrote.
Wiki history points that you're correct:

Up until iOS 6 ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_6'), the built-in maps application on the iOS ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS') operating system was powered by Google Maps ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Maps'). However, with the announcement of iOS 6 in June 2012, Apple ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc.') announced that they had created their own Apple Maps ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Maps') mapping service,[13] ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Maps_(app)#cite_note-13') which officially replaced Google Maps when iOS 6 was released on September 19, 2012.[14] ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Maps_(app)#cite_note-14') However, at launch, Apple Maps received significant criticism from users due to inaccuracies, errors and bugs ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_bug').[15] ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Maps_(app)#cite_note-15')[16] ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Maps_(app)#cite_note-16') One day later, The Guardian ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guardian') reported that Google was preparing its own Google Maps app,[17] ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Maps_(app)#cite_note-17') which was released on December 12, 2012.[18] ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Maps_(app)#cite_note-18')[19] ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Maps_(app)#cite_note-19')
Google's Android app was released in 2008 //


On September 23, 2008, coinciding with the announcement of the first commercial Android device ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC_Dream'), Google announced that a Google Maps app had been released for its Android operating system.[11] ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Maps_(app)#cite_note-11')[12] ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Maps_(app)#cite_note-12')

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
98 months ago
Google owns Waze. Waze has been doing this forever. What’s the difference between the two and why switch? Not trashing google just honestly asking why make two identical apps
They didn't make 2 identical apps. They made one app and acquired another. There are enough people who prefer one over the other to justify the existence of both. I think Google Maps will eventually integrate most of Waze's top features and ultimately kill Waze approx. 3-4 years from now.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gavroche Avatar
98 months ago
And in about 20 years we can expect this in Apple Maps
And I still remember all too well how Google refused to add turn by turn navigation in their ios app, until Apple released Maps. I'll never forgive them for that and will always tilt towards other options when possible.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...