When I think of the purpose of a lock screen, it’s right there in the name: lock. I swipe my pattern on the screen and have full access to my phone and its apps.
But is there any value in using an app that is optimized for lock screen use?
I didn’t think so, but when you consider that you might not always want your screen on at full brightness all the time, it makes more sense that a lock screen app or widget is worthwhile.
This feels especially true during an early morning commute. It’s the perfect time for battery saving and more chill screen usage.
Google Maps has a few neat lock screen functions that fall perfectly into this category.
Quiz
Mobile map app technology
Trivia challenge
From GPS satellites to street-level imagery — how well do you know the tech behind the maps in your pocket?
NavigationHistoryFeaturesSatellitesBrands
In what year did Google Maps first launch as a web-based service?
Correct! Google Maps launched in February 2005, originally as a desktop web app developed by Where 2 Technologies, a company Google had acquired. It quickly became one of the most used services on the internet.
Not quite. Google Maps launched in February 2005, following Google’s acquisition of the mapping startup Where 2 Technologies. It debuted on the web before later expanding to mobile platforms.
What is the minimum number of GPS satellites a device must communicate with simultaneously to determine an accurate 3D position?
Correct! A GPS receiver needs signals from at least 4 satellites to calculate a precise 3D fix — three for latitude, longitude, and altitude, and a fourth to correct the receiver’s internal clock error.
Not quite. While 3 satellites can give a rough 2D position, a full 3D fix with accurate altitude requires signals from at least 4 satellites simultaneously, with the fourth used to eliminate clock timing errors.
Which mobile map app was the first to introduce crowdsourced real-time traffic and road hazard reporting as a core feature?
Correct! Waze pioneered crowdsourced traffic reporting, allowing drivers to flag accidents, speed traps, road closures, and hazards in real time. Google later acquired Waze in 2013 and integrated some of its features into Google Maps.
Not quite. Waze was the pioneer of crowdsourced real-time traffic and hazard reporting. It built a passionate community of drivers contributing live road data before Google acquired the company in 2013 for approximately $1.1 billion.
Apple Maps launched with iOS 6 in 2012 but was widely criticized. Which feature was notably absent or broken at launch?
Correct! Apple Maps launched with badly distorted 3D flyover models and was missing transit directions entirely in most cities. The backlash was so severe that Apple CEO Tim Cook issued a public apology and suggested users try rival apps.
Not quite. Apple Maps actually introduced turn-by-turn voice navigation, which was a key selling point — but the app was infamous for wildly inaccurate 3D models and a complete lack of public transit directions at launch, prompting a rare public apology from Tim Cook.
What positioning technology do modern smartphones use indoors where GPS signals are weak or unavailable?
Correct! Indoor positioning typically combines Wi-Fi access point fingerprinting and Bluetooth Low Energy beacons to estimate location when GPS cannot penetrate buildings effectively. Large venues like airports and malls increasingly deploy dedicated beacon networks.
Not quite. While cellular triangulation plays a supporting role, modern indoor positioning primarily relies on Wi-Fi positioning systems and Bluetooth Low Energy beacons. These technologies allow map apps to guide users through large buildings like airports, shopping centers, and stadiums.
Which company originally developed the mapping technology that eventually became Nokia HERE Maps, now known simply as HERE Technologies?
Correct! Nokia acquired Navteq in 2008 for about $8.1 billion, one of the largest tech acquisitions at the time. Navteq was a major supplier of digital map data, and Nokia rebranded the service as HERE Maps before eventually selling HERE to a consortium of German automakers.
Not quite. The answer is Navteq, a Chicago-based digital mapping company that Nokia acquired in 2008 for around $8.1 billion. Nokia rebranded it as HERE Maps, and the platform was later sold to a consortium of automakers including Audi, BMW, and Daimler.
What does the term ‘ETA’ stand for in the context of mobile navigation apps, and which real-time data source most significantly influences its accuracy?
Correct! ETA stands for Estimated Time of Arrival, and live traffic data — sourced from other users’ movement patterns, reported incidents, and sensor networks — is the single biggest factor in whether an ETA is accurate or wildly optimistic.
Not quite. ETA means Estimated Time of Arrival, and its accuracy depends most heavily on live traffic data. Apps like Google Maps and Waze aggregate anonymized speed data from millions of users to continuously refine arrival time predictions in real time.
Google Street View was first made publicly available in which year, and in which US city did it initially launch?
Correct! Google Street View launched in May 2007, initially covering five US cities including San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas, Miami, and Denver. It was captured using specially designed camera cars and quickly became one of Google Maps’ most iconic features.
Not quite. Google Street View debuted in May 2007, with San Francisco among its first covered cities alongside New York, Las Vegas, Miami, and Denver. The project used custom-built camera rigs mounted on cars and has since expanded to cover billions of kilometres of roads worldwide.
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The Glanceable Directions are quick and simple
They were there the whole time, but I never paid much attention to them
When I started using Glanceable Directions, I began to think of apps and widgets on my lock screen as having a more specific, intended use.
The Google Maps Glanceable Directions feature is probably something you’ve seen but never paid much mind to.
It’s that little pop-up that shows you your next driving direction to take. Depending on your device, it might appear at the bottom in the Now Bar or at the top as a notification.
This is great for a morning commute because it gives you the bare-bones information you need. I know my brain isn’t working at full capacity yet that early in the morning, so it’s nice to have my Google Maps easy to use.
I mostly know the route, so it’s nice to check the directions and see if it rerouted me for traffic or construction.
I will say that these directions won’t keep your screen on like a full live map. So if you are relying on that, you might need to open the full Maps application.
But if you only need an easier, lighter version (that doesn’t eat up your battery!), Glanceable Directions is the perfect fit.
Not seeing Glanceable Directions on your device? Make sure the option is enabled.
From your Google Maps app, tap your profile icon in the upper-right corner. Then tap Settings > Navigation, and turn on Glanceable directions while navigating.
The parking spot setting I never knew existed
There must be a better way to find your parked car than playing Marco Polo with your key fob
I have nightmares where I’ve lost my car in a parking lot, and I never find it. Something about losing my car because I was distracted when I parked is really stressful.
I had no idea there was a solution in Google Maps for people like me, especially when I need to run work errands in the city and have to park somewhere busy.
I usually have so much on my mind that I forget to choose a landmark to remind myself where I parked. This counts double when it’s a massive mall parking lot.
It’s easy; all you do is:
- Tap the blue dot in the lower-right side of the screen.
- Tap the blue dot that represents your current location.
- Scroll the blue bubble menu buttons and tap Save Parking.
The cool thing about this is that it stays present with a notification on my lock screen.
After a long day, I don’t like hunting for the information I need; it’s nice and easy to tap the sticky notification on my lock screen to see where my car is.
It’s also great for when I’m carrying a purse plus an iced coffee. Which, in all honesty, is very often.
There’s a third option, but you might not be able to use it
Battery optimization folks are going to love this
There’s a really neat middle-ground option, too, but the caveat is that it only works on Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
These phones have a Power-Saving Mode lock screen map built into their Google Maps.
It’s a simplified and bare-bones version of Google Maps, with no bells or whistles. Think simplified colors, no 3D buildings or fancy options.
This is an awesome feature that I’m pretty jealous of; unfortunately, my personal device isn’t among the list of compatible phones.
I hope they bring this feature to other devices. Until then, I’ll keep an eye on this line and others while choosing my next phone.
9/10
- SoC
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Google Tensor G5
- RAM
-
12GB
- Storage
-
128GB / 256GB
This striking-looking addition to the Pixel line offers a slew of Gemini features, an 5x telephoto lens, and seven years of updates, making this a smartphone that will last you a while.
These features are situation-dependent
Sometimes you really do need the full app
These features are really handy for specific situations, like morning commutes, bike routes, or any other moment in your life when you don’t want to unlock your whole phone to get the small bit of Maps info you need.
However, the full Maps application is your best bet when traveling somewhere for the first time, taking a winding detour, or traversing a complicated highway network (don’t miss your exit!).
Some users report disliking that they can’t disable the feature without Maps exiting the navigation completely. I don’t love hearing that there’s little choice there, so hopefully this will be remedied in future updates.
Keeping Maps simple and my mornings less digitally cluttered
Overall, Glanceable Directions and the Parking Spot saving feature on your lock screen are great for easy, repeatable commutes and people who don’t need the whole app open and glaring into their eyes at 8:00 a.m. on the way to work.
The Pixel 10 suite users will also heavily benefit from the third option of power-optimized maps, which is full-screen on their lock screen.
Wherever you are navigating to, it’s nice to know there are more lightweight options available that are not the full 3D-rendered buildings with a customizable car icon. Personally, I don’t need all that jazz.
