Google has been testing out Augmented Reality (AR) for its Google Maps services for quite some time now, according to reports. It was in 2018 when Google first showed off its AR technology in Google Maps as a sort of “what if” demonstration to the audience at the Google I/O 2018 keynote. Back then, it seemed like Google was only showing a potential future. Now, that potential future is turning into a reality.
The new tech is meant to help users of Google Maps navigate places better when exploring new areas with the app. With the new AR version of Maps, the user’s phone screen will be split into two halves; the upper half showing the visual area around the user and the bottom half showing the map. A blinking arrow would be used to direct the user where to go next.
At the time of writing, only a few select journalists have been given the chance to test the app in real life. The app is still a work in progress and lacks several features that Google is planning to add in the future. Some of the planned features include digital guides and perhaps even a news map. In addition, Google Maps AR will have to rely first on GPS to determine the user’s location, but will hopefully soon align this with Street View data.
No news regarding the app’s release date is available yet, but Google promises to launch it “only when [they’re] is satisfied that it’s ready.”
