Since acquiring Waze in 2013 for $1.3 billion, Google has gradually integrated various features from the popular navigation app into Google Maps. Over the years, we have seen the addition of crowd-sourced reporting for road hazards like accidents, police presence, and construction. These enhancements have made navigating through traffic faster and more efficient.
Now, Google Maps is set to roll out an exciting new feature that brings a touch of fun to the driving experience: customizable vehicle icons. Users will soon be able to replace the traditional blue arrow with a selection of new car icons that reflect their style. This feature will be available on both iOS and Android devices. To access it, simply pull up the menu from the bottom of the navigation screen where you can view the estimated time, distance, and remaining trip duration. Swipe up and explore the menu options.
Among the menu options, you’ll find "Vehicle icon." By tapping on this option, users can choose from a range of eight different vehicle representations, including a sports car, an SUV, a pickup truck, a sedan, and more. Each icon also comes with a choice of colors to personalize your experience. The available colors include:
- Glacier white
- Night black
- Ash gray
- Poppy red
- Sky blue
- Sunny yellow
- Aqua green
- Sunset magenta
To enjoy this new feature, click here to download the latest version of Google Maps on your iPhone, or press here to get the updated version on your Android phone.
With these new vehicle icons, Google Maps is adopting a playful design aesthetic reminiscent of Waze, further blending the functionalities of both apps. While Google Maps provides comprehensive information about dining options, accommodations, and local attractions, Waze focuses more on making the journey enjoyable by leveraging user-generated data to streamline the driving experience.
