Google Maps adds a "Commute" tab and music controls – TechCrunch

Google has just announced new features for Google Maps on Android and iOS. The update is launched this week and includes a set of new features focused on commuting, music and getting more personal data.

Although Google Maps is particularly useful for car trips and holidays, the app can also be useful for stressful trips. Google is resurfacing some of these features with a new "Commute" tab.

After setting up the address of your home and workplace, the app will help you know what to expect in the morning and evening. If you go to work, Google Maps now tells you how long it will take and there are other routes. It works pretty much like Waze's ETA screen and tells you if it's going to be faster or slower in 30 minutes or an hour.

If you're taking the bus or train to work, Google Maps can help you know when to leave. The application takes into account the walk or drive to the train station. These transit features compete directly with Citymapper and are likely based on many open data.

Speaking of public transportation, you can see your bus or train on the map by slowly approaching you. The app also tells you how long you have to wait. This feature will be available in 80 regions of the world. In Sydney, the app tells you the fill level of the next bus.

Unfortunately, this update has a disadvantage in terms of confidentiality. Until recently, you could link your personal and business address to your Google Account in Google Maps.

Now you have to activate "web & app activity", the notorious privacy destroyer – I stored my home and my business address and I can not change these addresses without activating it. If you enable this setting, Google will collect your search history, Chrome browsing history, location, credit card purchases, and more.

And Google encourages you to activate this "feature" all the time. You must enable 'Web Activity and Apps' to use Google Assistant on an Android device, for example. It is becoming increasingly clear that Google monetizes its latest features with your data.

Google is also adding music controls to Google Maps. You will be able to control Spotify, Apple Music and Google Play Music. It seems that the company is taking advantage of higher screens to add a banner at the bottom of the screen with the current song and the ability to skip a song or pause the music.

There will also be a new button on the right to open your music application. Spotify users on Android will also be able to browse the Spotify library directly from Google Maps.