New driving mode is similar to Android Auto’s pairing with Google Maps, with a focus on Google Assistant
At Google I / O last year, the company announced the imminent introduction of a new driving mode on Google Maps, which is now available for Android users in the US.
Google Maps looks like Android Auto: great innovation to reduce driver distraction
The new driving mode is similar to the amalgamation of Android Auto with Google Maps, with a focus on Google Assistant. Users see hints in Google Maps just before the start of the route. Basically, this is an additional panel at the very bottom of the navigation window.
There is a shortcut for the assistant in the lower-left corner and a new shortcut for apps in the lower right corner. You also get simplified music management. The title of the current podcast or song is displayed here, and there is a button to skip to the random next track. The downside is that there is no button to go back. Everything is done to reduce driver distraction.
By default, this mode appears as soon as you start navigating, and also automatically turns on Do Not Disturb mode. As with Android Auto, you can still receive messages from apps and reply to them with your voice. Phone calls also don’t take up the entire screen, so you can look at the map.
