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Google Maps has become the pioneer application to integrate the upcoming Live Updates feature introduced in Android 16, marking an exciting enhancement in progress-oriented notifications.
Live Updates are designed to present real-time information that can be viewed not only on the status bar but also in the notifications panel, the lock screen, and the always-on display. Initially revealed by Google in January, the feature was in development and not accessible for testing by developers. However, with the recent release of Android 16 Beta 2.1, users are finally able to experience this innovative functionality, with Google Maps leading the charge.
The latest update from Google, Android 16 Beta 2.1, is primarily a minor bug-fix update atop the previous Beta 2. Typically, such updates do not introduce significant new features; however, in this case, Live Updates have been partially rolled out. Upon testing a demo application designed for this feature, it was observed that notifications began to appear as status bar chips. These notifications were prominently positioned within the notifications panel, taking precedence over regular messages, which enhanced their visibility.
Feedback from users indicated that Google Maps has also transitioned to support Live Updates. This was confirmed by testing on a Pixel device equipped with Android 16 Beta 2.1 and the latest Google Maps version. As depicted in the user interface, Google Maps displays the estimated time until the next turn and the estimated time of arrival (ETA) within its status bar chip, along with the potential for added turn-by-turn information in the future. However, it is important to note that if the text exceeds a certain length, the chip will truncate the information, particularly when multiple applications are utilizing this feature simultaneously.
The status bar chip employs the familiar navigation icon and green background synonymous with Google Maps, allowing for easy identification. Users can tap on this chip to pull down a heads-up notification panel, providing a quick preview without the need to fully open the notifications area.
Though the Live Updates feature is making strides, there are limitations. Both the demo app and Google Maps notifications were shortened on the always-on display, indicating that the feature is not yet fully operational in Android 16 Beta 2.1. In previous showcases, the Live Updates had been shown in full on the always-on display, highlighting the difference in functionality. This aspect may debut in a future beta iteration, though specifics remain uncertain. Once fully implemented, accessing turn-by-turn navigation details from Google Maps will become significantly more user-friendly.
Appreciation goes to JING, A_Button117, and Prasham Parikh for their valuable insights!
Source
www.androidauthority.com