Google Maps suddenly looks different: Update for the navigation view

The route planner Google Maps has always offered you several views to find the best way from A to B. In addition to a simple street map, there is a satellite view or, thanks to Street View, a panoramic preview of the destination. A map with 3D buildings has also been available for some time. However, it wasn’t available in the navigation view – until now.

In recent weeks there have been increasing reports on Reddit and other places online that Google has now enabled the 3D view for navigation. A test by Netzwelt shows: It’s true! Anyone who activates the 3D view in Google Maps on their cell phone before starting navigation should now see transparent 3D views of the houses in the area instead of a purely two-dimensional map when navigating.

3D view for navigation mode

This can make navigation in unfamiliar environments easier, as you can orientate yourself on the map by, for example, a high-rise building. The change may seem small at first glance, but it could be the precursor to an even larger update. In 2023, Google introduced Immersive View, which gives you a 3D animated view of your destination based on real photos.

This is currently only available for some sights and cities, but not in the navigation view. However, Google has promised to enable the immersive view for navigation as well. The 3D update could be an initial preparation for this, there is speculation online.

Whether this is the case remains to be seen. In any case, the new navigation view is a help. If it is not available to you yet, you will have to be patient. Google is currently only distributing the new view step by step. So it may take a while until it is available on your device.

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