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Martin Brinkmann at gHacks reports
Google is rolling out a new traffic information [widget] for the mobile version of Google Maps [...] that integrates traffic information in the navigator.
The feature works in two [...] ways. In the first, traffic information [is] immediately displayed to you once you enter your destination in the app.
The application informs you about traffic jams, construction, or any other obstacles that may slow you down on your way to your destination. In addition to giving reasons, it highlights by how much you [will be] slowed down if you take a particular route.
The information [is] updated while you are following the directions Google Maps provides [...]. You may receive congestion alerts that include a delay estimate so that you know what you are getting yourself into.
Google Maps may suggest alternative routes while you are driving, and each alternative includes explanations [...] why it recommends [that you] take that route.
[...] Google makes no mention whether it is limited to certain geographical locations.
[...] The functionality seems similar to what Waze offers, a company that Google acquired in 2013.
In the comments, Naveed notes that he has already been using the feature but doesn't say for how long nor where he is.[...] and Martin, whose first language is German, uses English better than some guys I've encountered who only speak English.
[Editor's Comment: Original Submission]
(Score: 1) by Thesis on Tuesday May 26 2015, @10:11PM
...as my Garmin does, but it eats data up, which is expensive, to me anyway. Until data prices from phone carriers who have decent coverage drops to reasonable levels (laugh, I know), this is not a tool for me to use. My Garmin with Traffic Alerts is quite accurate on getting me where I need to go while avoiding the traffic congestion, in places I have traveled at least.
(Score: 1, Troll) by Placenta on Tuesday May 26 2015, @10:13PM
But does your Garmin allow Google to potentially track where you're going and where you've been? Does your Garmin allow Google to tell you where you will be going?
(Score: 2) by captain normal on Wednesday May 27 2015, @04:26PM
Why did this get modded troll? Do we now have some Google astroturfers among us trying to polish the turd that Google has become?
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts"- --Daniel Patrick Moynihan--
(Score: 3, Informative) by frojack on Tuesday May 26 2015, @10:42PM
Yes, Garmin has this, but (In the US) it is limited to specific areas.
Traffic alerts will pop up telling me there will be a 10 minute delay on the route, and checking the locations, you see that te 10 minutes are caused by something two hours ahead. It will be gone by then. So you slowly learn to discount Garmin alerts as useless. They get their information from official sources (DOT, Police, etc) and it is delayed by the time it gets to your device.
Google maps, even before this addition, was very good at telling you where there were traffic hangups, (red roads), but you seldom knew why. The red/yellow/green condition of traffic was reported directly to google by cell phones sitting in traffic jams.
With the addition of Ways, as well as their existing cellular locations, Google is getting pretty precise. Probably more so than official sources.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by tftp on Wednesday May 27 2015, @12:37AM
I also have a Garmin (Nuvi 2797,) and I'm happy enough with it. I don't have a smartphone; and even if I had one I wouldn't want to tell Google all about my travel. Garmin does not depend on online access. It is a dedicated device that powers itself on and off along with the car. It has a large, bright 7" screen. It's extremely convenient at least because it's always in the car, and I don't need to fiddle with the phone, mount it, start applications, etc. It works well.
This Garmin GPS also has the traffic receiver. I do get alerts now and then about certain traffic problems. They are not always true, and not always on time. I live with that.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Wednesday May 27 2015, @04:13AM
Distinction:
Garmin does not depend on online access.
But no difference:
This Garmin GPS also has the traffic receiver.
You still get traffic updates distributed via Radio sub-carrier from certain large stations. And it is late, and it is often wrong. But you live with it because ... you don't want to show google where you are.
Thanks for sharing.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 1) by tftp on Wednesday May 27 2015, @04:44AM
But you live with it because ... you don't want to show google where you are.
Primarily I don't care about that feature. The fact that Google gets nothing is just a free benefit :-)