Have you heard about the latest buzz in the Samsung universe? The One UI 7 update for Android 15 just got a cool new feature called the “Now Bar,” and guess what? Google Maps has hopped on the bandwagon, making your navigation experience even smoother!
Now, if you’re like me and love a bit of convenience, you’ll appreciate this.
With the Now Bar, your Samsung Galaxy, especially the new S25 series, lets you peek at your Google Maps directions right from your lock screen. No more fumbling to unlock your phone while you’re trying to navigate through those tricky city streets or during your morning commute.
But here’s the twist – this feature was initially exclusive to the S25 series, leaving the S24 users feeling a bit left out during the beta phase. However, the latest Google Maps update (version v25.04.01.717254420, if you’re curious) has now extended this functionality to all One UI 7 users.
I’ve been playing around with both versions, and while the beta version v25.05.02.719889437 seems to be where it’s at, even the stable update has this feature sneaking in. The navigation chip in the status bar can be a bit of a tease; it’s there one moment and gone the next if you’re using PiP mode.
So, what does this mean for you? If you’ve got a Galaxy device running One UI 7, your navigation just got a tad more user-friendly. And for those of us still waiting on the full rollout, it’s an exciting hint of what’s to come. Samsung’s been tight-lipped about when we’ll see One UI 7 everywhere, but this update from Google Maps tells me we might not have to wait much longer.
Google Maps v25.04.01.717254420 is rolling out live navigation in the Now Bar and Live Activities for devices on One UI 7. Works on S24 too!
Repost pic.twitter.com/6XKVABfoOH
— Tarun Vats (@tarunvats33) January 30, 2025
Now, I want to hear from you: How do you feel about integration like this? Is it a game-changer for your daily routine, or do you prefer the old-school way of checking your map? Drop your thoughts below or let’s chat about it – which Samsung features do you think need this kind of intuitive upgrade next?
P.S. If you’re still on the fence about updating, maybe this is the nudge you need. But don’t just take my word for it – try it out and see if it sticks!
(Via)
