by Sarah Perez (@sarahintampa)
Google Maps has quietly rolled out a new feature that will make it easier for you to see where you need to go when using turn-by-turn navigation: integrated Street View images on the directions screen. While the app has always allowed you to see an overview of the upcoming turns and distance between them, the new feature introduces an option to tap to see the associated Street View imagery as well.
The change was first spotted by Android Police, who believed it rolled out more broadly over the past few days. We reached out to Google for further confirmation, and the company said the feature has been widely available since early in May, and is now offered to Android users worldwide.
The feature hasn’t yet made its way over to the iOS version of the Google Maps app, however, and Google could not confirm when it would reach that platform.
Users don’t have to do anything differently to see these images appear – you just enter your current location and destination as usual, then view the route. Where before you’d see only the list of turns, you’ll now notice that many will have a photo thumbnail next to them. Tap this thumbnail and you’ll be taken to a full-screen 360 degree Street View experience, which is oriented properly for the direction you’re going.
