New Intersection Indicators
Google Maps has begun a phased rollout of a new navigation feature on Android Auto, providing drivers with visual indicators for traffic lights and stop signs at upcoming turns. As reported by Autoevolution, these icons appear directly within the turn-by-turn navigation pop-up on the vehicle’s display, rather than as intrusive, full-screen alerts.
Unlike previous map-based icons that remained static, these new indicators are designed to provide context for the next maneuver. 9to5Google notes that this appears to be a server-side update, meaning the feature will reach users in stages without necessarily requiring a manual application update from the Google Play Store.
Speedometer Reliability Concerns
While the new navigation visuals aim to improve driver awareness, the update has been overshadowed by reports of technical instability regarding the Android Auto speedometer. Users have flagged two primary issues that complicate daily driving:
- Unit Switching: The speedometer is reportedly toggling randomly between kilometers per hour (kph) and miles per hour (mph), even when users have manually selected a preferred unit in their settings.
- Visibility Bugs: Some users report the speedometer disappearing entirely. Google has indicated that the speedometer is intended to appear only when active turn-by-turn navigation is enabled, though the current rollout has led to inconsistent experiences across different vehicle head units.
These glitches pose a potential risk, as drivers relying on digital speed displays may face confusion or inaccurate data while monitoring their speed. Google has not yet provided a timeline for a fix, and the company remains silent on whether an investigation into the speedometer instability is underway.