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Why the Google Maps Speedometer “Disappeared” From Android Auto
A speedometer sounds like such a small and simple thing for a navigation app, but in the case of Google Maps, it’s the feature that keeps making the headlines these days. It arrived after so many years of users almost begging for it, and when this finally happened, it went away mysteriously from users’ devices.
The speedometer went live for Android Auto users in Google Maps earlier this year, but it mysteriously disappeared earlier this month for reasons that nobody could figure out.
Without a doubt, not having a speedometer in Google Maps is disappointing, but getting the feature and then losing it is not only disappointing but also frustrating.
Fortunately, Google has now explained what exactly happened and why some users don’t see the speedometer in Google Maps.
It’s all related to how Google Maps displays the speedometer and the speed limit in the first place. While some users complained that these features are no longer available in Google Maps on Android Auto, it turns out this only happens when navigation is not enabled. This is because Google enabled this feature specifically for instances where navigation was active, while the ability to show the speedometer and the speed limit when navigation is not enabled is now rolling out to users.
Google’s Mishaal Rahman says that the process is happening as we speak, and after speaking with the Android Auto product team, it looks like there’s no issue affecting this feature.
Theoretically, the speedometer no longer showing up in Google Maps on Android Auto is not a bug but only a miscommunication regarding how the feature works. Users who believed that the feature was gone from their cars did not know that it’s not supposed to appear when a destination was not configured.
Rahman explains that not everybody has this feature, so eventually, this might also contribute to the debate regarding this sudden disappearance of the speedometer.
“I spoke with a member of the Android Auto product team and was informed that the ability to have the speedometer, speed limit, and traffic signals/stop signs showing without a destination set is still rolling out. Thus, not everyone will have this particular feature yet,” he said.
No ETA was provided as to when broad availability is supposed to be reached, but right now, the speedometer should only be live when a destination is configured.
Meanwhile, there are other key features that Google should fix for Google Maps on Android Auto, as users are still complaining that the colored traffic lines no longer appear in the app. While the issue was supposed to be fixed, some users claim that it’s still happening, so further investigation is necessary on this front.
As usual, keeping Google Maps and Android Auto up-to-date is recommended for all users.
Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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