Google Maps ‘driving mode’ algorithm to predict travel destinations

According to a report by Android Police, the new feature is pretty similar to Maps’ already existing Commute option – which feeds you information when you’re traveling between work and home – but with a little extra data-mining whizzbangery plugged in.

Called Driving Mode, the feature uses your location history and web searches to make educated guesses as to where you might be going when you’re driving around. A new update for Android brings over one such clever feature, a Driving Mode that will try to predict where you want to drive to next before you ask for any directions. The new update adds a settings screen to Timeline. 19 is out and it brings a host of pretty awesome new features.

Also, Driving Mode isn’t being made available to all Google Maps users.

However, Android Police points out that enabling Drive Mode seems to be rather tricky at the moment. Driving Mode is not automatically available if you sideload the APK now.

Navigate to Settings in the slide-out panel on the left side of the app. So far, I’ve been able to get two devices enabled, but no luck with a third.

It probably won’t hurt Google Maps for Android Auto on the in-vehicle infotainment front, as competition heats up with Apple CarPlay. A previous update had placed the controls in an overflow menu, but now the controls reside directly on the main screen.

Other features in the works for Maps on Android include the return of the mute toggle to the foreground of the interface for turn-by-turn voice guidance. The audio switch has been squeezed in between the Search and Compass buttons.

Previously, the only real option was to delete location history. Furthermore, Google Photos is stitched with Maps making it alter the inaccurately saved location to that of a user specified location through search option.