Google Maps just got a huge update for Wear OS smartwatches

Date:
Fri, 06 Jan 2023 16:57:24 +0000

Description:
If you have an LTE Wear OS smartwatch with a data plan you'll be able to get Google Maps navigation without your smartphone.

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Google Maps just got a massive upgrade for Wear OS smartwatches: it can now work without a smartphone, provided you have an LTE model with a cellular network.

Those of you using some of the best Wear OS smartwatches out there the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 LTE model or the Google Pixel Watch LTE can
get navigation data from Google Maps without needing to pair your watch with
a smartphone. That means the next time you want to head out on a stroll, a jog, or a bike ride you wont need to take your phone with you to know where youre going.

Non-LTE Wear OS smartwatches can take advantage of the Google Maps update too as long as theyre connected to Wi-Fi. But unless youre traveling around a major city its unlikely youll have a stable enough connection to take full advantage of the feature. The Google Pixel Watch 4G model will now run Google Maps without a phone (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

To use the new Google Maps tool youll want to open the app on your Wear OS smartwatch, enter a destination using your voice or the keyboard, select how you want to get there (either on foot, by bike on in a car), and then hit start and head out on your trip.

While the Wear OS version of Google Maps lacks some of the smartphone
versions functionality you cant get information for routes using public transport for now it does have one neat add-on. If you have enabled
mirroring and have started navigation on your smartphone only to leave it behind, your watch will be able to take over and give you directions so you can finish the journey though this is admittedly a relatively niche use
case.

If youve been weighing up the pros and cons of opting for an LTE smartwatch versus a (typically cheaper) non-LTE variant, this new Google Maps update gives you another reason to opt for the former over the latter. If you always struggle to find a comfortable place to put your android phone whenever youre on a run or a bike ride, this Maps improvement will likely serve you well
(and give LTE models an edge).

On top of that, youll also be able to take advantage of other LTE benefits, including the ability to receive calls and messages without your phone, and
to listen to music from some of the best music streaming services youll just need to remember to get a data plan for your watch.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/google-maps-just-got-a-huge-update-for-wear-os- smartwatches


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