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
95 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
95 months ago
And in about 20 years we can expect this in Apple Maps
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tzm41 Avatar
95 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
95 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)
gavroche Avatar
95 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)
69Mustang Avatar
95 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)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
top stories 2025 12 27

Top Stories: iPhone Fold Mockup, Where's the New Apple TV?, and More

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:00 am PST by
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from MacRumors! News in the Apple world has unsurprisingly been relatively slow over the past week, but Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone managed to make its way back into the news, while we also shared updates on current and future Apple TV news. iOS 26.3 will be bringing some new features, particularly for users in the EU, so we'll look for additional...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With a Rough iPhone Fold Mockup

Monday December 29, 2025 10:55 am PST by
Apple is rumored to be introducing a foldable iPhone in September 2026, and since it will bring the biggest form factor change since the iPhone was introduced in 2007, curiosity about the design is high. A 3D designer created an iPhone Fold design based on rumors, and we printed it out to see how it compares to Apple's current iPhones. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...
Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...