Google Maps for iOS update adds Apple Watch support

While Apple Maps has come on leaps and bounds since its rocky rollout in 2012, Google Maps continues to be the go-to mapping app for plenty of iPhone users. It doesn’t appear that Google Maps for Apple Watch includes this feature, but a few folks simply prefer Google Maps to Apple Maps.

It’s unclear if Google has voice directions through the Watch like Apple Maps but we’ll be giving it a test soon to find out. A new update for Google Maps on iOS rolled out today that includes full Apple Watch support, among a few other useful features.

The major feature that this update beholds is the support for Apple Watch. Driving directions require you to scroll or swipe down the list of turn-by-turn events, for instance, rather than moving through each turn as it comes up like Apple does.

With the launch of Google Maps for Apple Watch, the indication is that Google is now taking Apple’s platform more seriously. This enables the user to compare travelling time before beginning the journey. You can also quickly tap to get directions to recent places you’ve navigated to in Google Maps.

Apple Watch owners waiting for an alternative to the company’s own Maps offering need wait no longer. Regardless, it does provide enough features that will surely be appreciated by users.

A single location in Mexico and two new locations in Japan were also added to the service, bringing the number of Flyover locations up to more than 160 locations.

The new app drops on the same day Google announced a host of new Apple-rivalling products like the new Chromecast, Nexus phones and Pixel C tablet.