Google detailed this week that Google Maps is getting a slick new Nearby Traffic widget, perfect for seeing how the roads are looking around you without having to dive directly into the app. That’s pretty handy, I must say.
Noted to be available in the coming weeks, this new widget joins a growing list of Google-made widgets for Android. It’s funny, ever since Apple brought widgets to iOS, the Android team seems to have rekindled its desire to make quality widgets, which you won’t hear me complain about.
Here’s Google’s description of the widget.
Whether you’re commuting or heading out to meet friends, Google Maps’ real-time traffic predictions can help you easily plan your route. And with the new nearby traffic widget, launching in the coming weeks, you’ll see this information for your current location right from your Android Home screen. So if you’re about to leave home, work, school or anywhere else, you’ll know at a glance exactly what local traffic might be like. And because Android widgets are tappable, you can zoom in and out without opening the Maps app.
Google says there are 35 Google widgets available on Android, including this new Nearby Traffic one. Personally, I use two of them — Google Calendar and Clock. What about you? Which ones do you use?
Google needs to just merge maps and waze already. Maps is way more convenient but waze has more users reporting things on route.
So, let me get this straight. Google removed the daily commute feature from the At A Glance Widget on Pixel devices which showed the estimated travel time for your daily commute to work/school/home – the same feature that also told you when to leave for a calendar appointment and would offer alternate routes when your primary route was congested. Google then replaces it with another widget that only shows generic green/yellow/red lines on streets within a few block radius – regardless of the actual route you wish to take?
Great job google! Way to make are smart phones dumber.
I already have this widget. On android 13 beta if that makes a difference. I will probably never use it tho.
I find widgets just eat up space and mostly for lazy people who just can’t type in the google search box for an app or long press an app icon to get to a shortcut, but if this traffic widget is dynamic in that it shows real time traffic all the time then that may be helpful for some. But updating traffic constantly on the home screen has to eat into the battery and we all know Android phones have always suffered in the battery use area since the beginning
Yeah will def use more battery, I just tried it out and requires location access all the time to use. I think a lot of widgets are dumb but there are a few that makes sense. I got weather widget, calendar and bookmarks in chrome are most important to me. Also like the photos people & pets widget cuz it randomly shuffles through pics of pre selected people & pets. Oh and I also have one to remote start and unlock my car.