Silicon Valley: Tech giant Google has announced to introduce a new feature that will show toll prices to users and enable iOS users to access Maps from their home screen with the help of widgets.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, where it said that Google Maps will get an update where toll road prices and more map details such as the likes of stoplights and stop signs will be infused.
Apart from upgrading Google Maps on Android devices, the company will also add improvements as far as the iOS devices are concerned and it will include the likes of a new pinned trip widget as well as the option to get directions on Google Maps straight from the Apple Watch.
It happens to be the first time that the tech giant has added this feature to Google Maps and the company has cited that the intention behind this move is to make it simpler for the users to opt between taking toll roads or regular roads.
This feature will also enable the users to view the estimated toll price to their destination before they start navigating. It is to be noted that local tolling authorities will provide the toll prices.
However, this latest feature will not be forcibly imposed and the users will still have the option to choose to avoid seeing routes with toll roads altogether through the app's settings.
The latest feature will come into effect from this month onwards on Android and iOS devices and it will cover nearly 2,000 toll roads in the United States, India, Japan, and Indonesia. The company plans to extend this list by adding more countries to it soon.
Furthermore, Google is improving the app's navigation experience by adding new details in the form of traffic lights and stop signs which will be displayed on the app so as to reduce stress while driving on unfamiliar roads.
Google is also adding new iOS updates which are specifically designed to simplify using Google Maps on the go. The company is rolling out a new pinned trip widget that will enable the user to access trips that they have pinned in their Go Tab right from the iOS home screen.
Also, the upgraded feature will enable the users to see their arrival time, and the next departure for the transit trip, and a route will also be suggested. The company has also decided to make the existing Google Maps search widget smaller.
Last but not the least, Google Maps is integrating directly into iOS Spotlight, Siri, and the Shortcuts app. In order to access Google Maps, one can say "Hey Siri, get directions in Google Maps" or "Hey Siri, search in Google Maps." This feature will soon be introduced to iOS devices in the coming months.
Interestingly, the central government has hiked the toll fee charged to vehicles at the toll plazas in different locations. The newly increased rate will be effective from Friday 1st April 2022.
There will be a 15 percent hike in toll fees as per the decision by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), who is responsible for the management of national highway networks in the country.
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