Google has just launched the “Live Location Sharing” feature in Google Maps app for iOS. As the name suggests, the feature will allow you to share location in real-time. So if you move after sharing your location, you’ll friends will be notified and their route suggestion for your location will change accordingly.
We had already written about this feature when it was first announced about a month ago. So you can click here if you want to get complete details.
What has changed from the announcement to release?
The feature is built into iMessages.
So, although you are free to share your location using the dedicated Google Maps app, in iOS, you would do well to use the iMessage app. The location can be shared right from the messaging app, and the link is dynamic, showing a live preview right inside your chat window.
It makes using the feature much more intuitive.
iOS gets a new “Directions” widget for location tracking.
Again, this is a step towards integrating Google Maps into the iOS more coherently. Just like it does on Android, now you don’t have to open the Google Maps app for using most of the features.
The widget helps you gain access to Google Maps from virtually anywhere in your iOS – even the lock screen – via the “Today” view.
“This allows you to access your directions anywhere in iOS from the Today View. For instance, if you’re on the lock screen, you can swipe to the left to view directions from Google Maps.” (Source)
All in all, this is a good update. However, a few privacy concerned citizens must be very unhappy with this.
Even more unhappy will be those bechare husbands and boyfriends who have a hard time keeping the exact location from their better-halves!
Note: You have to update the app the see the features. Your friends must also update their apps in order to be able to use this feature. If you don’t already have Google Maps app, you can download it from the App Store by clicking on this link.
