Google Maps will acquire a very practical search widget on Android

The Google Maps app will soon receive a cool new feature on Android: the ability to put a quick search widget on your phone’s home screen, just like on iOS.

Widgets have been around for many years on Android, but they recently appeared at Apple with iOS 14 in 2020. Since then, many new widgets have been offered by the most popular applications. Google has already added widgets to the home screen on iPhones, and they are now coming to Android.

As 9to5Google discovered, the beta 11.0 version of Google Maps finally introduces the same widget that has been available since this summer on the iPhone. Similar to a Google search bar, this new widget allows you to quickly search for a place on Google Maps. The widget also makes accessible several quick access buttons just below the search bar.

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The Google Maps widget will simplify the use of the application on Android

The new Google Maps widget for Android includes a quick access to research as well as nearby restaurants, hotels or bakeries. It will therefore be easier than ever to know which stores are nearby, without having to launch a search directly in the application. You can of course set the size of the widget yourself, to display more or less quick access buttons. It can therefore take up a large part of your home screen or be more discreet in a corner. depending on the number of shortcuts you select.

To perfectly adapt to the new look of Android 12, the future update of Google’s operating system, the widget adopts the Material You design, the new interface that redesigns Android. In addition to being almost completely customizable, the widget will be able to blend into your home screen by adapting perfectly to the colors of your wallpaper, as can be seen in the images below.

The widget should also be available for users still running Android 11, but it should look a little less stylish sinceit will not adapt its colors dynamically with the theme of the smartphone. This is because it should keep a blue accent color, as is the case with other Google widgets. It is expected to be available to everyone shortly after the release of Android 12.

Source: 9to5google