Google Maps gets a fancy new widget that will make navigation even faster

Google rolls out another update for Google Maps

Google Maps
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Spencer Hart
By Spencer Hart
published

Google is keeping the Google Maps updates coming with a new widget that offers you shortcuts to nearby stores and your most visited locations.

This is because widgets are set to make a big comeback with Android 12, with playback controls for YouTube Music, links to your favourite websites, and travel clocks all getting a Material You refresh.

The widget was spotted by Reddit user u/neilAndNotNail and was found in Maps v11.3.0, the latest beta version of the app.

It’s a grid-shaped control panel with shortcuts to personalized locations like Home and Work, along with nearby petrol stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. 

There's also a search bar along the top of the widget that makes it easy to look for anything else without even opening the app.

It’s similar to the Maps widget on iOS, just with more options. The widget, of course, makes us of Material You, which is the new design language in Android 12.

According to XDA (opens in new tab), the widget will eventually show up on Android 11 phones as well, using a standard blue colour in place of the dynamic colourway.

Would you use this new widget? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

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Spencer Hart
Spencer Hart
Style and Travel Editor

As the Style and Travel Editor at T3, Spencer covers everything from clothes to cars and watches to hotels. Everything that's cool, stylish, and interesting, basically. He's been a part of T3 for over seven years, and in that time covered every industry event known to man, from CES and MWC to the Geneva Motorshow and Baselworld. When he's driving up and down the country in search of the greatest driving roads, he can be found messing around on an electric scooter, playing with luxury watches, or testing the latest fragrances.

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