Google has announced a pretty nifty update for Google Maps, rolling out to iPhone and Android right now, to help you find some clean, nice air.
The update, announced on the official Google blog, comes at a crucial time in the US, as air temperatures soar. Around 30 million people in the Southwest are bracing for extreme heatwaves right now.
Google Maps will display the Air Quality Index (AQI), a guide to how good or not the air somewhere is, as well as advice on which exercise would make sense under those conditions.
The data itself comes from trust government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the PurpleAir sensor network.
Air quality will appear as a layer in Google Maps, so simply tap the icon in the bottom-right corner and add the layer, as you would with traffic details or Covid-19 hotspots.
Preparing for wildfires
Google isn't stopping there, though.
Hot weather in the US means one thing: wildfires. To help people avoid the fires, and stay safe in far-off locations that might be affected by travelling smoke, Google is adding a wildfire layer to Maps, located in the same place as the air quality layer.
"We collaborate closely with partners in the weather and air quality space to surface helpful and authoritative information when you need it most," the company says. "As you head out on hikes, camping trips and other outdoor adventures, we hope these tools help you feel safe and informed so you can enjoy the summer."
Keeping people safe
These updates might seem small and incremental but millions – if not tens of millions – of people use Google Maps everyday for travel.
Adding easily accessible features like these help people access the information that they need when they need, which is especially important during wildfire season in the US when temperatures soar and things can be unpredictable.
-
3 overrated shoulder exercises, according to a fitness expert (and what to do instead)Sculpt 3D shoulders whilst minimising injury with these three alternative exercises
-
Polar’s new subscription feature lands in the shadow of Garmin’s Connect+ rolloutPR genius or timing disaster? Polar’s new Fitness Programme adds adaptive training to its ecosystem
-
New Google Messages feature will make millions very happyIt's going to end a serious messaging blight
-
In an age of exciting upgrades, Google could downgrade the Pixel 10 insteadThere’s a change coming to the Pixel cameras and it could cause a stir
-
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold renders show an early contender for foldable of the yearEven though it might not be the slimmest, it could be the sexiest
-
Your iPhone gets some new tricks - here’s what it can do nowThe new emojis and priority notifications are probably our favourite
-
iOS 19's new design leaks straight after WWDC 25 announcementThis could be a significant change
-
Google TV set for a shake up that might have you feeling blueA redesign is reportedly coming to Google TV, with a new colour scheme and features
-
Android 16 to come with a significant security upgrade for Pixel phonesIt’s going to be easier to unlock your Pixel phone in the future
-
Google Pixel 9a delayed, but for good reasonGoogle’s latest affordable phone has been announced, but you can’t actually buy it yet
