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Google Maps for Android drops direction arrow in favor of a blue beam

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By Cosmin Vasile

Updated: Sep 21, 2016, 5:46 AM

Google Maps for Android drops direction arrow in favor of a blue beam

Some of you may have noticed there's a new update available for Google's Maps application for Android devices. Since the update doesn't come with an official changelog on the Play Store, you might not be aware of the changes it brings.

Luckily, we're here to provide you with all the details about the latest Google Maps update. First of all, this isn't really a major update, but it's important since it changes one of the most common aspects of the application.

The direction arrow that usually indicates the direction you're facing when using Maps has been replaced with a shining blue beam. We're not sure if that's a better choice, but there's no turning back now that Google has decided to roll out this new feature.

According to Google, the beam is capable of telling users how accurate the phone's direction is at any given time. Supposedly, the narrower the beam, the more accurate the direction, while the wide the beam, the more likely it is that the phone's compass is temporarily uncalibrated, so the sensors might not work as intended.

But fret not, since there's an easy way to fix this issue. The solution recommended by Google is to move your phone in a figure 8 motion a few times. That's how you should get more accurate results when trying to pinpoint to a direction.

The solution provided by Google to calibrate the compass' sensors is likely to work better than the usual tilt method. However, that requires users to master the curving motion in order to get the best results.

source: Google

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Cosmin, a tech journalist with a career spanning over a decade, brought a wealth of experience to PhoneArena. His expertise lies in brands like Samsung and Nokia, and he has a keen interest in innovative technologies. After a brief stint in PR, Cosmin returned to tech journalism in 2016, committed to delivering clear and objective news. When he's not writing or appearing as a guest on TV and radio shows, Cosmin enjoys playing RPGs, watching Netflix, and nurturing his passion for history and travel.