Google Maps is one of the most popular navigation apps around, if not the most popular. Google is always looking for new features to bring to their Maps app. Often times, Google will roll out some features to a small subset of users, as part of a testing phase before rolling it out to all of the users using the app. That’s what Google is doing right now in the latest version of Google Maps.
Some users are reportedly seeing an option for a Wi-Fi Only mode in Google Maps. This new setting would appear in the settings section of Google Maps, if it is available for you. And it does just what you’d expect it to do. It allows you to use Google Maps on Wi-Fi only, instead of using mobile data. This is a good thing for those that may have a small data plan, or even those that are traveling abroad and don’t want to pay a fortune in roaming fees because they used Google Maps for getting around.
Another feature, one that could arguably be bigger than the Wi-Fi Only mode, is the ability to get notifications for mass transit delays. Let’s be honest, delays do happen, especially if you’re traveling by bus or train, and it’s always nice to know when delays are happening so you can plan your day accordingly. Now you can customize Google Maps to give you notifications for specific lines. The best part about this is the fact that you can customize which lines you receive notifications for. Especially helpful in a city like New York City, where there are tons of different subway and bus lines. This appears to only be live for a handful of users right now. If all goes well, it should appear live for many more in the not-so-distant future.
Google Maps v9.32.1 is live in the Play Store Now, and is rolling out to everyone. It’s actually been live for a few days already, so it’s fairly likely that you have the update already installed on your device. If not, you can sideload it using the link below.
Download: Google Maps v9.32.1