According to Android Authority, Google Maps is leading the way as the first application to adopt the new Live Updates feature introduced in Android 16. Users who are part of the Android 16 beta 2.1 can now experience enhanced navigation convenience by viewing the time remaining until their next turn and the estimated time of arrival directly on the status bar of their devices.
The Live Updates feature was first unveiled during the initial beta release of Android 16. Google describes it as a “new class of notifications” that aims to help users monitor and quickly access important ongoing activities. This innovative feature bears resemblance to the Live Activities seen on iOS, which provides real-time notifications accessible from the lock screen and the Dynamic Island.
As highlighted by Android Authority, there is now a new option available within the Google Maps app that allows users to disable the "live info" feature, which appears both on the status bar and the lock screen. However, it’s important to note that the Live Updates feature is currently only partially supported in Android 16 beta 2.1. Notifications from Google Maps are still appearing as “collapsed” on the always-on display, limiting their visibility and functionality.
While the adoption of Live Updates in Google Maps is still in its early stages, there is ample time for Google and other developers to enhance the feature. The official launch of Android 16 is not expected until June, suggesting that further improvements and full support for Live Updates could be on the horizon as developers continue to refine their applications.
