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A transformation is underway for Gboard users on Android as Google begins rolling out a redesigned layout for the keyboard. This update introduces circle and pill-shaped keys for a selected group of beta testers, moving away from the traditional rounded rectangle keys. The individual letter keys will be circular, while the space bar and other key functions will adopt a pill shape to enhance usability and visual appeal.
This redesign is part of the latest Gboard beta (version 15.1), which is currently in early phases and has not yet been widely released to all users in the testing program.
Recent changes have also been implemented in the Gboard toolbars, including a refined shortcut button for easier access to essential features. The updated Dynamic Color theme has been streamlined to align more closely with Android’s material design principles, providing users with a fresh interface.
These adjustments are designed to refresh the keyboard’s appearance and improve user engagement. However, not everyone is liking the changes.
For example, folks on Reddit call the most recent changes “awful” and “annoying.” One user said: “The graphic designer in me is just hurt looking at this. Atrocious, atrocious typography.” Over on X, comments about the newly shaped keys are nearly identical: people don’t like it.
Google has not yet announced when the keyboard changes will be available to general Android users or if there will be an option to revert to the old design.
Gboard on Android was originally released in December 2016. It followed a May 2016 release on iOS.
Last year the phone case maker Clicks introduced theClicks for iPhone keyboard. It brought tactile typing back to smartphones in a Blackberry-esque case.
Now, Clicks is bringing that Blackberry flavor over to Android. The iPhone 16 version provided more screen real estate and keyboard shortcuts with Clicks promising a similar experience for several newer Android phones including theGoogle Pixel 9,Pixel 9 Pro,Samsung Galaxy S25,andMotorola Razr Plus 2024.
“Clicks gives the Android community more choice over how to type, navigate and take action with a smart accessory that’s as fun as it is functional,” Michael Fisher, Clicks co-founder said in a press release.
The keyboard has a Gemini key for AI features, backlighting and a Clicks app for customization. You should be able to charge via USB-C or normal wireless charging with no hiccups, all pluses over the original design.
We took a look at theiPhone version of the keyboard caselast year and found that it took some time to find a rhythm in typing with a keyboard on your phone after so many years away from our Palm Treo Pros and BlackBerry Bold 9000s.
Phones editor John Velasco wrote, “I can see how the physicality of using a keyboard could appeal to people who have never experienced it before. There’s certainly room for improvement in making the next version better, but it’s a good start and the best option for a portrait style keyboard for any phone for that matter.”
It should be noted that outside of the Razr devices which can fold down, the keyboard does make your phone much longer. We don’t have specs for these new cases but the iPhone 16 version is 7.41-inches tall, adding nearly 2-inches to the height of the standard iPhone.
Presumably, you’ll get similar dimensions on the Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25 which are 6.09 and 5.78-inches tall, respectively. For those who are already annoyed with how big phones have gotten in recent years, this won’t allay those concerns.
Starting February 25, all four versions of the Android Clicks case will be available for pre-order with an entry price of $99. However, after March 21, the price rises to $139, the same as the iPhone version.
There are, however, different ship dates. The Pixel 9 variants start shipping at the end of April. The Razr Plus and Razr follow in “late May” and the Galaxy S25 won’t launch until June of this year.
Google is getting rid of shoddy SMS authentication
Google is removing SMS messages as an authentication option
It will be replaced with on-screen QR codes
Removing SMS authentication reduces the risk of phishing and fraud
Googleis officially moving away from using SMS messages in its Gmail account two-factorauthenticator.
Gmail spokesperson Ross Richendrfer toldForbes, “we want to move away from sending SMS messages for authentication” to “reduce the impact of rampant, global SMS abuse.”
SMS authentication codes can be easily intercepted by hackers simply by porting your phone number to a new device – just one of the many security issues plaguing SMS messages for authentication.
Google will instead introduce on-screen QR codes that will have to be scanned with your chosen authentication device in order to verify that it is actually you trying to log in. This potentially adds an extra layer of biometric security for those who use a facial recognition or fingerprint scan to access their device or applications.
QR codes will also solve two other concerns related to SMS authentication methods. The first being that QR codes are more phishing resistant, as there will no longer be a security code to share with an attacker. The second being the authentication will no longer be reliant on the phone service provider’s abuse and fraud protections.
Authentication will still be reliant on the user having access to their mobile device, but removes a significant amount of the risk of abuse. For Google, it is also a win, as it cuts down on threat actors being able to run ‘traffic pumping’ campaigns.
In these campaigns, criminals will abuse online service providers to generate a huge amount of SMS messages to phone numbers they control, allowing them to generate revenue through access charges and intercarrier compensation.
In the future, Google hopes to move to a fully passkey supported authenticator system, but the move from passwords to passkeys hasn’t been as fast as Google had hoped, despite their best efforts to convince users to make the switch.
Samsung has finally brought its Ultra design into line with the rest of the Galaxy series, with sharp results. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is extremely powerful and long-lasting, with some of the most advanced AI applications yet.
For
Unified design that doesn’t skimp on Ultra appeal
Biggest screen of the lineup
Powerful AI
Excellent battery life
Against
Generative AI doesn’t always deliver
Samsung still shies away from total photo-reality
Google Pixel 9 Pro
The Pixel 9 Pro is a classy-looking, pleasingly compact flagship phone that doesn’t compromise despite its diminutive stature. It takes fabulous pictures, features some of the crispest AI-enhanced software on the market, and has a brilliantly crisp and accurate screen.
For
Fantastic Pixel redesign with premium materials and finish
Excellent cameras rival the best camera phones
AI tricks are unique and creative without crossing lines
Against
Performance lags significantly behind other flagship phones
Some AI tricks feel a bit fake when you use them
Price is high compared to high-performance rivals
TheSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultrais a compromise-free flagship smartphone, but what happens if you want something a little smaller? TheSamsung Galaxy S25is a great phone, but it’s no Galaxy S25 Ultra Mini.
Thankfully,Googlemakes the closest thing you’re going to get to such a device in the form of theGoogle Pixel 9 Pro. For the first time ever, Google has crammed all of its best features into a relatively compact form factor, with virtually no compromises. That’s the sales pitch, anyway.
So, does the Google Pixel 9 Pro actually match up to theSamsungGalaxy S25 Ultra? Is it really as simple a case of choosing your preferred screen size? We’ve reviewed both phones, awarding them a stellar 4.5 out of 5 score in ourSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra reviewandGoogle Pixel 9 Pro review, respectively. But to declare a winner, we’re going to have to break things down into a point-by-point comparison.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: price and availability
Samsung’s latest flagship phone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, arrived on February 3, 2025. Google’s Pixel 9 Pro landed in shops a little earlier on September 9, 2024.
Pricing for the Galaxy S25 Ultra starts from $1,299 for 256GB of storage, while the 512GB model costs $1,419. The top 1TB model costs $1,659. It’s a lot more expensive than the Pixel 9 Pro whichever way you cut it.
Google’s phone starts from $999 / £999 / AU$1,699 for 128GB of storage, moving up to $1,099 for 256GB, and $1,219 for 512GB. US customers alone get the option of a 1TB model for $1,449.
Comparing like-for-like storage options, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a not-inconsiderable $200 more expensive. First blood, Google.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: design
Samsung has switched up its design language with the Galaxy S25 Ultra to bring it more in line with the rest of the Galaxy range. It’s all flat edges now, albeit with much pointier corners than the regular Galaxy S25.
Google has also taken things a turn for the flatter with the Pixel 9 Pro, though it looks more like the standard Galaxy S25 than the Ultra – and thus, inevitably, a lot more like an iPhone.
Both look and feel like the premium devices they are, though the Galaxy S25 Ultra is undoubtedly the higher-end piece of kit. Its frame is made of titanium rather than the Pixel 9 Pro’s aluminum. Both phones are IP68 certified, so are similarly water and dust-resistant.
From the rear, the Pixel 9 Pro is arguably the more interesting phone of the two. It all comes down to Google’s classy camera module, which stands loud and proud, and covers most of the width of the phone. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s discrete camera lenses simply don’t have the same wow factor.
Of course, the biggest difference here relates to the size of these two phones. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is huge, measuring 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm and weighing a hefty 218g. The Pixel 9 Pro is much more pocketable, measuring 152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm and weighing 199g.
Samsung’s phone gets an additional point of interest in the form of an integrated S Pen stylus housed in the bottom edge of the phone. Samsung may have robbed it of Bluetooth connectivity this year, but it still offers an input method that the Pixel 9 Pro (along with most other phones) wholly lacks.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: display
That difference in size informs the size of the two displays on offer here. The Galaxy S25 Ultra packs a vast 6.9-inch AMOLED display, while the Pixel 9 Pro has a much smaller 6.3-inch variant.
Both are LTPO panels, so can adjust between 1 and 120Hz refresh rates depending on the task at hand. The Galaxy S25 Ultra technically packs in more pixels – 1440 x 3120 vs 1280 x 2856 – but the difference in size means that the pixel density is similar.
Indeed, you’ll need to dive into the settings to activate the full QHD+ resolution on the Samsung phone in the first place, which feels like a weird decision.
Where the Pixel 9 Pro wins points is for its superior brightness. It can attain a 3000 nits peak inHDRcontent, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra only hits 2600 nits. Both are strong, but Google’s phone takes the edge on sunnier days.
There’s also the fact that the Pixel 9 Pro’s display is a little more natural-looking, while Samsung has ramped up the vibrant colors with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It’s certainly a look, but it’s not the most technically accurate out there.
Both phones employ ultrasonic fingerprint sensors underneath their displays, which are fast and secure. Our reviewer did encounter more read errors with the Samsung than the Google, but these things tend to vary from person to person.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: cameras
Both of these phones take phenomenal pictures, and are right up near the top of the camera phone tree – albeit for different reasons.
Samsung continues to be the zoom king, having equipped the Galaxy S25 Ultra with two telephoto cameras – one 10MP 3x and one 50MP 5x periscope camera. The Pixel 9 Pro, by contrast, only has the one 48MP 5x unit.
This means that the Galaxy S25 Ultra takes sharper pictures across a wider range of focal lengths, including those hybrid shots that crop in on the sensors for a deeper zoom. It also benefits from a 200MP main sensor that captures more detail than the Pixel 9 Pro’s 50MP main sensor.
Both manufacturers offer a heavily processed look, but Samsung’s color science is perhaps a little less natural and more over-saturated than Google’s. Expect bluer-than-blue skies and super-green leaves.
It’s tough to choose which phone takes better nighttime images. Both Samsung and Google have a strong low-light algorithm game.
Both phones also employ powerful AI features to help you make some creepily effective AI adjustments, including removing background objects and even inserting elements that weren’t there in the first place. It might not be pure photography, but it sure is impressive.
Google’s phone wins out with a phenomenal 42MP selfie camera, which is arguably the best in the business. It also takes the W on video recording, especially with a Video Boost mode that improves sharpness, exposure, and stability at the small cost of longer processing times.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: performance and software
There are two elements to this section: performance and software. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra clearly wins the first one, while the Google Pixel 9 Pro mops up with the second.
Taking performance first, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra uses Qualcomm’s blazing Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. It’s already faster than pretty much any other mobile processor on the market – including fromApple– and this is a slightly overclocked version of that chip too.
In the opposite corner, the Pixel 9 Pro is one of the weakest-performing flagship phones on the market. It would be unfair to label Google’s home-brewed Tensor G4 chip a dud, but it seems to be more than a generation behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite when you take a look at the usual CPU and GPU benchmark numbers. Last year’s Galaxy S24 Ultra handily beats it, let alone the current model.
Google would argue that this is an outdated way to view performance these days, and that its AI performance is where it’s at. It’s certainly true that the Pixel 9 Pro runs some very clever AI tools, and the phone’s 16GB of RAM makes the 12GB of the Galaxy S25 Ultra seem stingy to that end.
There’s no getting away from the fact that the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels much snappier in the hands, however. The Pixel 9 Pro isn’t slow, but there were definitely moments when it stuttered and paused during our review period, such as when we had multiple apps running together. We had no such issues with the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
This could be particularly problematic going forward. Both manufacturers offer generous seven-year software update promises, but only the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels as if it might be sufficiently snappy to still be running well towards the end of its lifespan.
However, when it comes to the experience of actually using that software, the Pixel 9 Pro wins hands down. Google’s stock UI is simply much cleaner and less cluttered than Samsung’s. There’s no duplicate web browser, virtual assistant, or payment app, and the app tray and notification center are both far more intuitive.
Both Samsung and Google go big on AI, and indeed Samsung has adopted many of Google’s tricks, including making Gemini its primary assistant. We’ll go with Google’s more cohesive implementation, but the truth is both phones have a similarly sporadic hit rate when it comes to AI software.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: battery
You’d expect the larger phone to feature superior stamina, and that tallies with our experience. Not only does the Galaxy S25 Ultra have a larger 5,000mAh battery (vs 4,700mAh in the Pixel 9 Pro), but it also has the more efficient processor of the two.
Both phones will last a full day of fairly heavy usage without making you sweat, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra scored much better in our Future Labs tests. While Samsung’s phone lasted more than 17 hours, the Pixel 9 Pro lasted about four hours less.
This isn’t a criticism of the Pixel. It holds up to its fellow small flagships pretty well. It’s just in a different class to the hulking Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Neither phone is hugely impressive when it comes time to recharge times. The Galaxy S25 Ultra supports 45W charging, while the Pixel 9 Pro supports 27W. While the Samsung phone is quoted as being able to get from empty to 65% in 30 minutes, the Pixel 9 Pro will only get to 55% in the same time. It’s not a hugely significant difference, but it’s a win for Samsung nonetheless.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra supports 15W Qi wireless charging to the Pixel 9 Pro’s 12W, though Google wins the wireless round by supporting a faster bespoke wireless solution of 21W, provided you invest in the Pixel Stand.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Google Pixel 9 Pro are two of our favorite phones, and they’re also sufficiently different to make a straight-up winner very tough to call.
If you’re a media hound who likes your screens large and your battery life epic, the massive Galaxy S25 Ultra is clearly the best pick. Elsewhere, its S Pen function makes it uniquely suited to scrawling notes and ideas.
For those after a more compact phone, whether due to having small hands or tiny pockets, the Pixel 9 Pro is for you. It gives you a largely compromise-free flagship experience in a much smaller bundle, and it costs less to boot.
The tit-for-tat continues: Samsung’s phone is much faster, and thus arguably a little more future-proof. Conversely, Google’s software is much cleaner and nicer to use, and buying a Pixel means you’re signing up for the latest and greatest AI features as they arrive. Google makes both the hardware and the software here, which counts for a lot – just ask Apple fans.
Ultimately, you’re not going to be sorry with whichever of these two phones you buy. You just need to make sure you put some thought into what you really value in a smartphone before you make your choice.
The Chromecast with Google TV had a good run(Image credit: Google)
Google has stopped selling the Chromecast with Google TV
The gadget made its debut in September 2020
An upgrade is available in the form of the Google TV Streamer
Four-and-a-half years after making its debut, theChromecast with Google TVis no longer being sold byGoogle– joining products likeGoogle Daydreamand theNexus Q(remember that?) in the hardware section of the Google graveyard.
The disappearance of the gadget from the official Google Store was noted by9to5Googleand others, with both the4Kand HD versions no longer available. The HD model launched in 2022, two years after the original.
While you might still be able to hunt one down through third-party resellers, the future is very much theGoogle TV Streamerunveiled in August 2024. That’s now the default Google TV device, yours for $99.
However, as a long-time user of the Chromecast with Google TV (4K edition), there’s no way I’m going to swap the old device for the new one right now. In fact, I’ll probably stick with my current streaming dongle until it stops working, which could still be several years off at this point.
The Google TV Streamer is the future(Image credit: Google)
The Chromecast with Google TV was a significant upgrade to traditional Chromecasts when it made its debut. Before it arrived, Chromecasting was quick and easy enough, but everything had to be controlled on a phone, tablet, or laptop.
With the Chromecast with Google TV, you have a chunky little remote – even more straightforward to use, with its tactile, physical buttons and scroll pad. There’s on-board storage too, and a software interface, making it a truly standalone device.
The Google TV Streamer is by no means bulky, but it needs a flat surface to sit on, whereas my Chromecast with Google TV just dangles out of an HDMI port. The new gadget is more expensive too, packing in more storage that I’m never going to use.
Both the old and new streaming devices make use of Google TV – one of the best and most versatile TV software platforms – so there’s no upgrade there. In an ideal world, I’d love a Chromecast with Google TV, 2025 edition (if anyone from Google is reading), but my current streaming gadget continues to do a fine job.
It’s one step closer to having a computer in my pocket
I don’t understand why we don’t have computers that fit in our pockets. Oh wait, we do — they’re called smartphones. So why am I still lugging around a laptop every day to work?
This is exactly the reason why I’ve leaned onSamsung DeXso much on my Galaxy phones that support it. There’s no kidding thatDeX is one of the most underrated phone featuresaround, but I really find value in how it sort of replicates the desktop PC experience with its ability to run multiple apps simultaneously whenever I connect my phone to an external monitor. I’ve purposefully left my laptop at home on days when I have to commute to the office thanks to this.
However, I stumbled upon a hidden feature in myPixel 9 Pro XLthat gives me a similar desktop PC-like experience — and I’m stoked about it. After spending a week with it, I hope thatGooglewill make it a native feature for all Android phones.
Not quite as polished as DeX, but usable
Google’s desktop mode isn’t polished at all, which is why it’s accessible only once developer mode is enabled. Still, it gets the job done for most things I need to do on a daily basis. Once I’ve connected my Pixel 9 Pro XL to my monitor at work (through a USB-C hub, which also has a mouse and keyboard connected to it), Google’s desktop mode launches after I select the on-screen message on my phone to mirror my screen.
Similar to Samsung’s DeX, this desktop-like environment lets me multitask a lot better than on my phone. This is due to how I can run multiple apps simultaneously and resize their respective windows in such a way where I can feasibly run upwards of four apps. Try doing that on any phone! You can’t.
And since this mode lets me use my mouse and keyboard, my productivity is amplified over what I could traditionally do on just my phone. However, I wouldn’t go far to say it would totally replace my laptop. That’s because it can’t quite handle all the stuff I rely on to get my work done. For example, there are severalChromescripts I use for work which aren’t available to me on my phone.
There are also other oddities in the interface, like how it can’t automatically tile windows and how it doesn’t support common keyboard shortcuts (like Alt + Tab for quick switching apps). It’s more of a manual affair with this interface, which is why Samsung DeX feels like a more polished interface.
In order to access this hidden mode, you have to enable a few settings hidden in Developer Mode. You just need to head on over to theSettings > About Phone > Build Number, then proceed to taprepeatedlyon the build number until a message appears saying that you’re now a developer.
2. Enable settings for Desktop Mode
From there, you’ll want to navigate to Settings > System > Developer options. Now scroll down all the way to the bottom of the list and toggle on the following options: Enable Freeform Windows, Force activities to be resizable, Enable freeform windows on secondary display, and Enable non-resizable in multi window.
Even though it’s not necessary, I would recommend installing theTaskbar appas well because the native one in the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s desktop mode is broken. There’s a button to access the apps panel, but the home and back functions are strangely hidden. They’re there towards the bottom edge of the panel because those actions happen when I press on those corresponding areas.
Using the Taskbar app allows me to better juggle around all the apps, versus manually relaunching each one from the apps panel whenever I minimize windows.
Clearly there’s still a lot of work needed before this desktop PC-like interface can convince me it’s just as good as Samsung DeX. Nevertheless, the foundation is here and I hope that Google continues to develop this because I’ve also found out that it supports touchscreen displays.
Google has a long way to go before this desktop mode matches Samsung’s DeX, but making it a native feature for other Android makers to add on to and enhance could make for a worthwhile experience in those times I don’t want to lug around my laptop.
Now Playing may have been busted for months, with no fix in sight
(Image credit: Google)
One of the most useful hidden features in Google’s Pixel phones is the “Now Playing” function. When enabled, it can detect any music playing nearby, and display song information on your lock screen. Unfortunately, users are reporting that the feature has been broken for months, with no news on when that might change.
Some Pixel owners have been discussing this issue at great length over onReddit, with the original poster expressing confusion as to why theirPixel 6was only able to recognize two songs throughout a four-hour road trip.
Others have chimed in with their own experiences, including noting that thePixel 9 Prosuffers the same issues — “horrendously bad compared to earlier iterations.” Another lamented the fact that Now Playing has lost its reliability, and “doesn’t show up half the time,” plus a few choice words we can’t repeat here.
In response to this, one Redditor mentioned that the Now Playing icon is often missing from the lock screen, but songs are still being listed in the history. I’ve never used Now Playing, instead preferring to be old-school with my music identification — opting for apps like Shazam.
But I did give Now Playing a go on my Pixel 9 Pro. It mostly worked, but I will caveat with the fact that it wasn’t perfectly seamless. Not to mention the fact I have no idea how good Now Playing was in the past, which Reddit users clearly do.
What I found was that Now Playing was able to identify big name artists and songs, but struggled with smaller ones — including cover bands that are all the rage on my YouTube feed.
So while my Pixel could identify the likes of AC/DC or The Weeknd, it got a number of smaller YouTubers completely wrong. Assuming it was able to identify them at all. Now Playing was also pretty slow to update, and needed a good 30-60 seconds of music to update the lockscreen.
Granted I’ve only just set the feature up, and only just downloaded Now Playing’s music database to my phone. From what people on variousReddit threadsare saying, the problems only arose after a period of frequent use. Whether Now Playing simply gives up after a while, or if I’m just on a lucky streak, isn’t clear.
Android Authoritynotes that Google did release an update to Android System Intelligence to fix some of the problems last month — promising “bug fixes and improvements to Pixel Now Playing Album Art feature.”
However, that doesn’t seem to have fixed the problem. Other users have recommended clearing the System Intelligence cache, which can be done inSettings > Apps > All Apps > Android System Intelligence > Storage & Cache > Clear cache.
If that doesn’t work, then there isn’t much more that can be done until Google tackles the problem with a future update. In the meantime you may just need to rely on other music identification apps like Shazam, or by asking Google Assistant.
New reports include ‘flooded road’ and other weather-related incidents
(Image credit: Google / Truckin_18)
Google Maps is testing the rollout of more incident reports
These are weather-related options such as ‘flooded road’ or ‘low visibility’
The growing library of incidents is a source of annoyance for some drivers
Google Mapsis introducing new incident reporting options, fresh additions that pertain to weather-related conditions.
Android Policespotted these new kinds of report, and they include the likes of ‘flooded road’ for when there’s been a huge deluge of rain, or ‘low visibility’ for when it gets foggy. And indeed ‘unplowed road’ for when, well, you should probably turn around and find a plowed road that’s not wheel-deep in snow.
The site noticed these new options inGoogle Mapsfor Android Auto first off, and then in the iPhone app.
The not-so-great news for those keen on being able to benefit from a wider variety of untoward happenings being reported is that these new introductions have not yet made it to the Android version of Google Maps.
However, it surely won’t be long before the ability to report a flooded or snowed-up road arrives on Android.
Is an ever-growing library of incidents a good thing?
This is a continued expansion of the reporting of incidents in Google Maps, on top of clearly-labeled Waze reports being piped through alongside native reportssince last year. There’s already a wide range of incidents that can be flagged, such as road traffic accidents, stalled cars, lanes being closed, speed traps, and so on.
Sometimes, these kind of alerts can be very useful, of course, and plenty of folks are grateful to have been warned of an incoming thorny issue on the road ahead.
However, not everyone is keen on being subject to more and more of these reports being highlighted in Google Maps – withcomplaints about them being too frequentonly likely to multiply, as Google further expands the library of incidents that can be reported.
The problem is compounded by errant reports – incidents that aren’t there, or were resolved some time back – and there being no easy way to switch off said reports.
It looks like this is a road Google is insisting on driving down, though, despite the ‘stop’ signs being waved by some of the drivers who use itsnavigation app.
New reports include ‘flooded road’ and other weather-related incidents
(Image credit: Google / Truckin_18)
Google Maps is testing the rollout of more incident reports
These are weather-related options such as ‘flooded road’ or ‘low visibility’
The growing library of incidents is a source of annoyance for some drivers
Google Mapsis introducing new incident reporting options, fresh additions that pertain to weather-related conditions.
Android Policespotted these new kinds of report, and they include the likes of ‘flooded road’ for when there’s been a huge deluge of rain, or ‘low visibility’ for when it gets foggy. And indeed ‘unplowed road’ for when, well, you should probably turn around and find a plowed road that’s not wheel-deep in snow.
The site noticed these new options inGoogle Mapsfor Android Auto first off, and then in the iPhone app.
The not-so-great news for those keen on being able to benefit from a wider variety of untoward happenings being reported is that these new introductions have not yet made it to the Android version of Google Maps.
However, it surely won’t be long before the ability to report a flooded or snowed-up road arrives on Android.
Is an ever-growing library of incidents a good thing?
This is a continued expansion of the reporting of incidents in Google Maps, on top of clearly-labeled Waze reports being piped through alongside native reportssince last year. There’s already a wide range of incidents that can be flagged, such as road traffic accidents, stalled cars, lanes being closed, speed traps, and so on.
Sometimes, these kind of alerts can be very useful, of course, and plenty of folks are grateful to have been warned of an incoming thorny issue on the road ahead.
However, not everyone is keen on being subject to more and more of these reports being highlighted in Google Maps – withcomplaints about them being too frequentonly likely to multiply, as Google further expands the library of incidents that can be reported.
The problem is compounded by errant reports – incidents that aren’t there, or were resolved some time back – and there being no easy way to switch off said reports.
It looks like this is a road Google is insisting on driving down, though, despite the ‘stop’ signs being waved by some of the drivers who use itsnavigation app.
The weather can cause disruptions, but these additions might make it more manageable.
What you need to know
Google is reportedly pushing an update for Maps on Android Auto that adds four new roadside hazards caused by the weather.
The options include low visibility, unplowed road, flooded road, and object on road.
Last year, Google updated the incident reporting experience in Maps on Android Auto, adding shared reports from Waze and a generalized “police” choice.
Google has reportedly pushed a quiet update for Maps, bringing a few more road safety alert options.
Android Policespotted the latest Maps alerts, involving road or roadside dangers caused by the weather. Specifically, the publication discovered four new options in Maps when reporting “incidents.” Those choices are: low visibility, unplowed road, flooded road, and “object on road.”
Each option deals with a particular weather occurrence, such as thick early morning fog, torrential rainfall, and the after-effects of a snowstorm. However, the “object on road” choice could help drivers point out more than just a downed tree branch following a storm. Users could use it to report items that could puncture their tire and more to keep their fellow drivers safe.
While the post points out that these four options have joined the broader “report and accident” menu on Android Auto, it’s not everywhere yet. It seems as though Maps is getting this in waves, giving drivers the options first.
The post claims the reporting options haven’t appeared properly on Android devices, yet users on iOS are supposedly “slowly” receiving them.
Reporting-wise, Google has dropped a couple of updates for Maps to improve the experience,like one for police. In November, Maps refined the way users could report police activity. The incident report was previously classified as “speed trap;” however, Google renamed it “police” to generalize all roadside activity. The app on Android Auto now conveniently features the “police” option at the top of the incident list, beside “crash,” “slowdown,” and “construction.”
More importantly, Google and Waze joined forces last summer toshare incident reportsfor drivers. The collaborationappeared more widelyfor drivers in December. If shared from Waze, users will see the alert appear on their in-dash display with a tag confirming where it’s from. Users can “confirm” the report, giving it some street cred when others see a report of police activity or a roadside hazard.
Google hasn’t forgotten its Android phones as Maps rolled out an updatefor weather-related delayslast fall. Users traveling — at any point in time — can take advantage of how the weather could impact their travels and the city’s local transit systems.
Users outside the U.S. will see something different, however.
What you need to know
Google Maps is rolling out its name change for the Gulf of Mexico, and users will see one of three different names based on their region.
Users in the U.S. will see the Gulf of America name, users in Mexico will see the Gulf of Mexico name, and users in other regions will see both names.
The region is set by your device’s operating system and SIM provider, so it’s hard to change manually.
The Gulf of Mexico is now the Gulf of America onGoogle Maps, at least in the U.S. The body of water bordering the southeastern North American coast will now appear differently on Google Maps depending on a user’s location, following a change that is rolling out now.
AsGoogle announced weeks ago, the company said it has “a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources,” and thus planned to rename the Gulf of Mexico when the U.S. officially completed its name change. That process has been completed, as the Gulf of America is the new name for this body of water in theU.S. Geographic Names Information System.
The move is only indirectly related to President Donald Trump’s executive order issuing the name change. This is why the renaming is taking effect on Google Maps now, not when the executive order was first issued. Instead, the reason for the name change in the U.S. is because the U.S. Department of the Interior officiallyupdated the Gulf of Mexico’s name in the GNIS by Order 3423issued by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
Of course, the controversial renaming of the Gulf of Mexico was directed by President Trump. The resulting effect on Google Maps is as follows:
United States users will see the name “Gulf of America”
Mexico users will see the name “Gulf of Mexico”
Users in all other regions will see both names
“The names you see in the Maps app are based on your country location, which is determined by information from your phone’s operating system (e.g., iOS and Android), including your SIM, network, and locale,” Google explains. “If you’re using Google Maps on the web, the names are based on the region you select in your Search settings or your device’s location, if you haven’t selected one.”
Based on these conditions, it is virtually impossible to change the Google Maps name of the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America to your preference manually.
Apple Maps plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, too. Other popular navigation providers, like Bing Maps and MapQuest, haven’t made a public decision yet.
