Google Working on Bare-Bones Maps That Removes Almost All Interface Elements and Labels (androidauthority.com)
(Friday October 31, 2025 @12:41PM (msmash)
from the bare-bones dept.)
- Reference: 0179922606
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/10/31/1527233/google-working-on-bare-bones-maps-that-removes-almost-all-interface-elements-and-labels
- Source link: https://www.androidauthority.com/google-maps-power-saving-3611409/
Google Maps is testing a power saving mode in its latest Android beta release that [1]strips the navigation interface to its bare essentials . The feature transforms the screen into a monochrome display and removes nearly all UI elements during navigation, according to AndroidAuthority.
Users discovered code strings in version 25.44.03.824313610 indicating the mode activates through the phone's physical power button rather than through any in-app menu. The stripped-down interface eliminates standard map labels and appears to omit even the name of the upcoming street where drivers need to turn. The mode supports walking, driving, and two-wheeler directions but currently cannot be used in landscape orientation.
[1] https://www.androidauthority.com/google-maps-power-saving-3611409/
Users discovered code strings in version 25.44.03.824313610 indicating the mode activates through the phone's physical power button rather than through any in-app menu. The stripped-down interface eliminates standard map labels and appears to omit even the name of the upcoming street where drivers need to turn. The mode supports walking, driving, and two-wheeler directions but currently cannot be used in landscape orientation.
[1] https://www.androidauthority.com/google-maps-power-saving-3611409/
I fully support this (Score:1)
by wecnal ( 10262644 )
The amount of times that I've hit that stupid "navigate by voice" button (or whatever it is) is FAR too high.
No street names is the norm (Score:2)
Since digital maps came out there has been one thing they cannot seem to get right, labeling roads, especially when zoomed in. We've all been there, desperately needing to know what the name of the street is that we are on, pinching to zoom in further only to have the name we could barely read before, now completely disappear.