Skip to main content

Google Maps working on feature that shows well-lit streets?

Google Maps, which is continually releasing new features and updates to further improve the experience for its millions of users, reportedly has another one in the pipeline that will focus on making navigation at night safer.

XDA Developers spotted code in the Google Maps v10.31.0 beta that reveal the Lighting Layer, which will show streets that have good lighting. Activating the feature will highlight well-lit streets in yellow, and there will also be indicators for streets with poor to no lighting.

Recommended Videos

The code suggests that Google Maps users will need to zoom in to see the lighting data, and that the feature will initially be available only in certain regions. There is no information, however, on which countries will first receive the Lighting Layer, and when it will be added to the public version of the app.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

No screenshots of the feature were available, as it is currently in development and not yet live. It is unclear how Google will acquire the necessary information for the filter, and how it will be able to keep that information updated as lighting fixtures are added to streets, or if they get broken.

The feature will be a welcome addition to people who rely on Google Maps whenever they are in unfamiliar territory, such as tourists walking or driving in foreign cities or countries. It will also help people plan safer routes, avoiding streets with poor to no lighting.

Google Maps’ Lighting Layer will eventually join a long list of features for the navigation app, which has increasingly become a versatile tool for travelers. Google recently started experimenting with placing Local Guides in the For You section for easy-to-access travel tips, and has added to the app certain capabilities of Google Translate to make it easier to move around in foreign countries.

Some of the features rolled out by Google Maps this year that focus on the safety of its users include improved voice guidance and verbal announcements for users who are blind or have limited vision, and a new navigation warning system on natural disasters that will lead people away from potentially dangerous situations.

Aaron Mamiit
Aaron received an NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was four years old, and he has been fascinated…
Google’s December 2024 Pixel Drop just arrived with a boatload of new features
Someone holding a Google Pixel 9.

It’s December, and that means a big new update for your Android phone, as well as even more goodies if you’re a Google Pixel user.

Google is officially rolling out its December 2024 Pixel Drop, and there's a lot to go over. From new features for all Android users to a few things exclusive to Pixels, here's the lowdown on what's new.
New features for all Android users

Read more
The Google Pixel 9 may soon get a powerful phone call feature
Someone holding the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, showing the back of the phone.

With the Google Pixel 9 series, Google offers a feature called Call Notes in the Google Phone app. Powered by Gemini Nano, the feature automatically generates call summaries and captures points discussed. Thanks to artificial intelligence, that feature could soon be expanded.

According to Android Authority, an APK teardown has revealed code indicating that a new feature called “Call To-do List” may soon be available on supported devices. The code strings link “Call To-do List” to “Fermat,” the code name for the Call Notes feature.

Read more
Google is preparing a cool new feature for its Pixel Recorder app
The Voice Recorder app running on the Google Pixel 7 Pro.

Smartphones are great tools for voice recording, whether it’s a simple voice memo or even an interview. If you have a Pixel phone, then the Pixel Recorder app is about to get a lot more useful with a new “Clear Voice” feature discovered in the latest update's Android Package Kit (APK).

With Clear Voice, the Pixel Recorder app will “reduce background noise while recording for clearer speech playback.” Basically, it will keep human speech while removing unwanted and distracting background noise. The feature was found via 9to5Google in some strings in version 4.2.20241001.701169069 of the Pixel Recorder app.

Read more