Google Maps for iOS Update Brings 'Nearby Widget', Ability to Search for Places Along Your Route

After introducing the in-app food ordering service, Google Maps for iOS has received an update that brings a host of improvements and new features to the navigation app. This includes a new traffic widget assessing the situation in your location, and the ability to search for places nearby while on route.

This update bumps up the Google Maps version to 4.25.0. As we mentioned, it introduces a new widget on the screen that displays the real-time traffic situation in your location. For example, if you're at home, Google Maps will assess the traffic situation in your area and notify you if there is light or heavy traffic near you house. If the traffic is not so congested, the widget will display something like, 'Light traffic in your area. Faster than usual.' This 'Nearby traffic' widget is already active for Android users.

Google Maps for iOS also brings the ability to search for places nearby while driving. For example, you head for a road trip and your navigation is on for reaching a destination. Mid-route if you decide you're hungry, Google Maps will now throw results of restaurants in vicinity. Using the app's turn-by-turn navigation feature, you can search for nearby gas stations, hotels, or even a specific place of your preference. Android users got this feature last year.

The update has also removed the Travel Times and Transit widgets that were introduced in October. There's no clarity on why these widgets were removed, or whether they will make a comeback. In any case, you can download Google Maps v4.25.0 from the App Store.