4 ms·

I think the widgets are important. One of the primary ways I use Google maps is to punch in new directions quickly while at a red light or something. I want to

I think the widgets are important. One of the primary ways I use Google maps is to punch in new directions quickly while at a red light or something. I want to press one button. The “home” and “gas” buttons help here. I certainly do not want features “buried” in the app where I need to tap more things frantically. I think the map is the most important thing, and the current design reflects this, but it isn’t SO important that everything else should go away. I don’t really care what a designer from 15 years ago thinks. The current designers do a good job.

jamespo 3y ago
So you break the law using your phone while driving (depending on jurisdiction).
- dannyw 3y ago
  At least in my jurisdiction (NSW, Aus), you can use and interact with navigational tools while driving.
globular-toast 3y ago
So you're just aimlessly driving around somewhere unfamiliar and suddenly think "I want to go home!"?
- mike_d 3y ago
  Yes. You've gotten out of the underground parking garage, have good GPS/cell signal again, and want to go home. Even when I know exactly where I am going and the route I want to use i'll often map it anyways so I can find out about traffic or accidents ahead.
  - TeMPOraL 3y ago
    > i'll often map it anyways so I can find out about traffic or accidents ahead. You mean doing the very thing Google Maps sucks at - i.e. being a map?
  - kzrdude 3y ago
    I have an offline-compatible osm-based map app that can do useful stuff like routing without network connection. Of course it doesn't know about changing conditions ahead, but on the other hand it's nice that it never gives up on me, it can always do its job.
  - executesorder66 3y ago
    So why not set your house as your destination in google maps before you start driving? Then when you emerge from the underground parking, you will have signal again and it can route you correctly. Why do you have to set it once you are already driving? How does that help you?
Cacti 3y ago
[flagged]
- dang 3y ago
  Can you please not break the site guidelines like you did here and https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38408474 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38408474? It's not what this site is for, and destroys what it is for. If you'd please review https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html and stick to the rules when posting here, we'd appreciate it.

jamespo 3y ago

So you break the law using your phone while driving (depending on jurisdiction).

dannyw 3y ago
At least in my jurisdiction (NSW, Aus), you can use and interact with navigational tools while driving.

globular-toast 3y ago

So you're just aimlessly driving around somewhere unfamiliar and suddenly think "I want to go home!"?

mike_d 3y ago
Yes. You've gotten out of the underground parking garage, have good GPS/cell signal again, and want to go home. Even when I know exactly where I am going and the route I want to use i'll often map it anyways so I can find out about traffic or accidents ahead.
- TeMPOraL 3y ago
  > i'll often map it anyways so I can find out about traffic or accidents ahead. You mean doing the very thing Google Maps sucks at - i.e. being a map?
- kzrdude 3y ago
  I have an offline-compatible osm-based map app that can do useful stuff like routing without network connection. Of course it doesn't know about changing conditions ahead, but on the other hand it's nice that it never gives up on me, it can always do its job.
- executesorder66 3y ago
  So why not set your house as your destination in google maps before you start driving? Then when you emerge from the underground parking, you will have signal again and it can route you correctly. Why do you have to set it once you are already driving? How does that help you?

Cacti 3y ago

[flagged]

dang 3y ago
Can you please not break the site guidelines like you did here and https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38408474 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38408474? It's not what this site is for, and destroys what it is for. If you'd please review https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html and stick to the rules when posting here, we'd appreciate it.