What you need to know
- Google Maps has started showing traffic lights on Android for a small number of users.
- In addition to navigation mode, Google is testing showing traffic lights in the traditional map view as well.
- Apple Maps began showing stop signs and traffic lights last year.
Google Maps is preparing to add a useful new feature for Android users. According to the folks over at Droid-Life, Google is starting to show traffic lights in Maps for a small number of users. The traffic lights show up both while navigating and when browsing around in traditional map view.
As you can see in the screenshots below, the icons for traffic lights aren't very easy to see when you are just browsing around. In navigation mode, however, the icons do seem to grow in size and are much easier to see. As of now, though, they are not highlighted in the list of instructions while navigating.
The feature can prove to be quite useful in planning a route, especially when you're in a hurry and want to avoid a route that is filled with traffic lights. Apple Maps has been showing traffic lights and stop signs to users since late last year.
While the screenshots do confirm Google is currently testing the feature, we cannot be certain if the feature will be widely rolled out to users in the near future. Right now, it just appears to be a server-side test involving a very small number of users.
