This upcoming Google Maps characteristic might prevent in a pinch

If there’s one navigation app I all the time flip to first once I need assistance getting someplace, it is Google Maps. I take advantage of it for commuting to remain up to date on site visitors and highway closures, and likewise when exploring a brand new metropolis, like throughout my current journeys to Edinburgh and Brooklyn. Whereas I believe Google Maps does an ideal job with navigation, one factor I’ve observed, and I am certain many others have too, is that it is not so form to battery life, particularly when you’re utilizing it for lengthy journeys.

Fortunately, plainly Google is conscious that Google Maps can have a behavior of draining your battery, and is engaged on an answer. In keeping with a current report from Android Authority, Google is engaged on a brand new “energy saving” mode for Google Maps, which can scale back the app’s battery consumption and probably prevent in a pinch.

This new power-saving mode was found by Android Authority in model 25.44.03.824313610 of the Google Maps for Android beta, and the publication additionally uncovered some code strings related to it that describe the way it works.

“To save lots of battery, press the facility button whereas driving. Solely key info similar to subsequent turns might be proven,” one of many code strings states.

The brand new power-saving mode comes at a price

Enabling it makes Google Maps monochrome

Credit score: Android Authority / Pocket-lint

Though this new power-saving characteristic could appear to be a game-changer, it naturally entails a trade-off because it considerably modifications the looks of Google Maps and reduces the quantity of data displayed in your display screen throughout navigation.

As proven within the photos above from Android Authority, it makes Google Maps seem very minimalistic and monochrome, whereas eradicating nearly all of the person interface components, together with road names. The one UI components that stay are the estimated time till you attain your vacation spot, together with the arrow and features indicating which course to go. The report additionally states that audio steerage will perform when Maps is in power-saving mode, so you will nonetheless hear it announce instructions, like when to show.

Reportedly, Google Maps’ power-saving mode will assist strolling, driving, and biking, however it has not been confirmed but whether or not it should additionally assist public transit routes, similar to buses or trains. Moreover, primarily based on the model of the characteristic within the Google Maps for Android beta, it seems that power-saving mode will solely work when your telephone is in portrait mode, not panorama orientation.

One other tidbit that Android Authority found is that power-saving mode might be activated on Google Maps when the app is open and the gadget’s energy button is pressed. So, a minimum of when you’re driving or biking, it is going to be very simple to activate.

Total, this new power-saving mode for Google Maps appears to be like very promising to me, and when you’re in a decent spot with a low battery, it might be a lifesaver. It is vital to notice that this characteristic continues to be underneath growth, so its look and the way it works might change earlier than it’s launched. It is also unclear whether or not this characteristic might be obtainable on iOS or solely on Android.