AN update to Android Auto is driving users round the bend by making it hard to see the full view on Google Maps.
Android smartphone owners can connect their car to the infotainment system screen displaying useful apps like Google Maps to get around.
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But users have noticed a “nonsense” change to the interface.
The problem kicks in when you leave Google Maps open and don’t have a guided destination set.
It seems, after a recent update, Google Maps now appears in a centred view by default.
As a result the destination box that allows you to type in where you want to go now blocks much of the map view.
Read more about Google Maps
As screenshots and comments on Reddit show, the smaller your screen the worse it is.
“I absolutely despise that box,” one user wrote.
“Even when you click the map to view the map larger, it’s the same goddamn size bc that black box is in the freaking way. I hate it w a passion.”
Another wrote: “Complete nonsense there is no feature parity with iOS, and that Google doesn’t even prioritize their own ecosystem (Android).”
Meanwhile, others have said they will switch to Waze – which Google also owns.
Users do have the option to hide the box by tapping the arrow button.
However, this isn’t a permanent fix as it re-reappears later.
Time to switch to Waze?
Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun
Was this change deliberate or an oversight?
Despite the sheer amount of testing that goes into software, things do get missed and it takes complaints like the ones above to bring about change.
It could be that Google didn’t quite consider that some people have older cars with smaller screens, compared to flashy new cars with bigger screens.
If it is unintentional, one would hope it will be quite easy to fix by allowing people to hide it permanently.
I personally prefer Waze on my car.
Despite also being owned by Google, it has more live traffic options and alerts that help me get from A to B faster.
So if the Google Maps change is bothering you, I’d see this as a good opportunity to switch.
