Android 16 with a new Maps feature

Google Maps tips & tricks
1

I just updated my Pixel 7a phone to Android 16 from Google.

In the Whats New presentation under Smart features

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I found this:

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I have used the share location feature before but I never combined it with Live view to more easily find my friends.

I believe this is a truly new feature. I have not yet tried it - have you? Many of the other features presented as new are honestly not that new in my opinion.

Please share your experiences with using Live view to find the friends who are sharing their location with you.

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2

That’s interesting, but it’s still a small improvement for me.

To share my location with my friends and family, I already use WhatsApp and I don’t think they’ll instinctively use Maps for that.

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interesting update @MortenCopenhagen thank you. hopefully it will appear on my old android phone too!

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Hi @MortenCopenhagen,

Thanks for starting this conversation about the new feature on Google Maps!

I would like to inform you that I am changing your tag to “How-tos.” The “In the news” is more suitable for sharing Google Maps updates that have been officially announced in news outlets or in instances where you have been featured in local news outlets or other media.

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I also received the Android 16 update on my Pixel and in my opinion there are a few minor changes, most of which are under the hood, with the real changes still to come - in the next updates called Pixel Drop.

The changes to location sharing look very interesting but I don’t have anyone nearby with a device updated to Android 16 so I have no way to test them (and I guess between different versions of Android the “new” functionality won’t work).

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Looks like a pretty cool feature @MortenCopenhagen I’m waiting to join the Android 16 family soon

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That’s a great catch! Combining Live View with location sharing is definitely a cool upgrade in Android 16, especially on Pixel devices. @MortenCopenhagen Moderator Sir.

Using Live View arrows and directions overlaid on the real world through your camera to find friends who share their location adds a really intuitive and immersive layer to meet-ups or navigating crowded spots.

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The update frequency and the accuracy of where your friend is have been a challenge so far. I hope the upgrade have akso addressed these issues.

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