I've been doing a lot of travelling lately, and I've come to love Apple's Live Activities: that's when apps can display automatically updating widget on your Lock Screen, so for example with Apple Maps it means I can keep my phone locked without losing those crucial turn by turn instructions. Google promised to add support for the feature, which it calls "glanceable directions", in Google Maps ages ago, but it still hasn't turned up. But it looks like you'll be able to get it when the iPhone 15 launches in a few weeks time.
That's according to well-connected tech writer Steve Moser, who says that the latest version of the Google Maps app for iPhone contains hidden references in the code to Live Activities support. That suggests that the feature is nearly ready to launch.
What are live activities and what iPhones support them?
Live Activities work on all iPhones running iOS16 and up, but they can only use the Dynamic Island feature if the phone actually has the Dynamic Island. That currently means the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, but come September it should also include the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
What's the difference? If your iPhone has the Dynamic Island, it can use that bit at the top of your screen to show you information from different apps at the same time – such as the latest sports scores – without unlocking your phone. So for example you might have your maps app delivering Live Activities in the lower part of your screen while your sports app keeps you updated up top.
I've written before that the benefit of this feature is that it's much less distracting than the full Maps view, and that's been underlined during all the travelling I've been doing; it's particularly good when you're driving at night. And of course Live Activities are for much more than just mapping apps: they're good for seeing when you can expect your Uber to arrive or how much time is left on your cooking timer too.
-
Google Pixel 10 renders show the candy bar camera seems set to stayIt looks like there's not much change from the Pixel 9
-
Google Pixel 9a hands-on video leaks – what it reveals about the forthcoming phoneIf you’re going to leak a phone, this is the way to do it
-
Google could make smart glasses again to take on Apple Vision ProGoogle's going shopping for low-power eye-tracking technology
-
Your Chromebook will soon gain a neat trick borrowed from Pixel phonesThe update will help preserve the health of a Chromebook
-
Your iPhone tipped to get a seismic upgrade with iOS 19 – the biggest in many yearsIt's said to be the most significant overhaul in over a decade
-
Google Maps design update finally comes to iPhone after Android owners have enjoyed it for monthsIt should make one-handed use much easier
-
I tried Apple’s latest budget iPhone and it’s more than enough phone for most peopleForget the 16, the iPhone 16e is the model that most people will end up buying, and I can see why
-
New Pixel 9a pics show iPhone 16e has a real fight on its hands
Here's the best look we've had at Google's budget phone so far
