Google Maps will get better with directions with future updates, here’s what’s changing
Google Maps is updating its Fused Orientation Provider (FOP) API to improve direction accuracy in busy areas. The update combines gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer data, reducing magnetic interference and contributing to Google Maps and third-party apps on Android 5.0 or later.
We constantly listen to Fr Google Maps fiasco from around the world where he steered people in some strange direction and ended up getting them stuck in the ‘worst possible scenario’. Now a new post published on the Android Developers blog gives a glimpse of the new Maps update better with instructions.
The post talks about a potential upgrade that Maps will get with Fused Orientation Provider (FOP) API that aims to improve ‘orientation’ detection on Android devices, regardless of the hardware used by different OEMs on their devices.
According to the post, the update will make Maps better interpret directions to be more accurate by combining gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer data.
However, this idea of Google using data from all sensors is not new, the company has already used the API, but the update will improve magnetic interference. According to the announcement, the changes will not only apply to Google Maps, but also to third-party apps that rely on Google Maps to offer navigation data.
It should be noted that the update will be done with the internal part of Google Maps, it will not affect the user interface or the appearance of the application. Also, updated API it will be introduced server-side or via an app update on Android devices running Android 5.0 or later.
How it will affect users
As mentioned, the update won’t change anything in terms of the app’s design or user interface. The changes are internal in the form of an API that will be automatically pushed through updates. However, the update is set to improve directions, especially in busy areas.
The post talks about a potential upgrade that Maps will get with Fused Orientation Provider (FOP) API that aims to improve ‘orientation’ detection on Android devices, regardless of the hardware used by different OEMs on their devices.
According to the post, the update will make Maps better interpret directions to be more accurate by combining gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer data.
However, this idea of Google using data from all sensors is not new, the company has already used the API, but the update will improve magnetic interference. According to the announcement, the changes will not only apply to Google Maps, but also to third-party apps that rely on Google Maps to offer navigation data.
It should be noted that the update will be done with the internal part of Google Maps, it will not affect the user interface or the appearance of the application. Also, updated API it will be introduced server-side or via an app update on Android devices running Android 5.0 or later.
How it will affect users
As mentioned, the update won’t change anything in terms of the app’s design or user interface. The changes are internal in the form of an API that will be automatically pushed through updates. However, the update is set to improve directions, especially in busy areas.
Post Comment