Enhancing an app doesn’t always mean introducing major new features or fixing bugs; it can also involve subtle refinements that significantly enhance user experience, as demonstrated by a recent quiet update to Google Maps.
If you’re familiar with Google Maps, you know that when you search for a street name on the mobile app, it places a pin on the map to indicate the location.
While this has been the norm for years, the web-based version offered a more advanced feature: highlighting the street on the map in blue, making it easier to visualize the route. Google has quietly brought this enhancement to the Android version of Google Maps.
Recent reports suggest that the company has started highlighting entire streets on Android, although it appears to be rolling out gradually. While included in the latest app updates, it may also be tied to a server-controlled rollout. Even with the latest update, some users may still see the standard pin when searching for a street.
In addition to this, Google is introducing other improvements to Google Maps on Android. One notable change is the ability for EV owners to search for charging stations nearby. Similar to the Android Auto version, Google Maps for Android now includes a filter for charging stations, provided users configure their vehicle profile accordingly in the app settings.
Both features should be available for Android users with up-to-date Google Maps builds, but due to the phased rollout, it may take some time before they are available to everyone worldwide.
