Google Messages to Add Live Location Sharing Feature
▼ Summary
– Live location sharing is a versatile feature that allows someone to track your whereabouts in real-time, useful for meeting up or safety.
– Google is developing this feature for integration into its Messages app, as discovered in the latest beta version’s code.
– The integration is a logical move to keep features concise and convenient within a messaging context.
– The feature would work similarly to Android’s Find Hub, showing avatars on a map and allowing mutual, constantly updating location sharing.
– Users can control sharing by setting durations or stopping it at any time, and Google’s move aligns with competitors like WhatsApp offering similar functionality.
The ability to share your real-time whereabouts directly within a messaging app offers a significant boost in convenience and safety. Google Messages appears poised to introduce a live location sharing feature, a move that would bring it in line with competitors and centralize useful tools for its users. This functionality, discovered by code sleuths examining a recent beta version, suggests a future where you won’t need to switch apps to let someone follow your journey on a map.
Imagine coordinating a meet-up in a crowded downtown area or providing a loved one with peace of mind as you travel through an unfamiliar neighborhood. This feature is designed for precisely those scenarios. By activating it within a conversation, you could share a dynamic, updating map view of your location for a set duration or indefinitely, all while continuing your text chat. The integration promises to work similarly to the existing system in Android’s Find My Device network, where your profile icon moves on a map in real time.
The practical benefits are clear. Unlike sending a static pin, a live feed shows movement, making it effortless to gauge someone’s progress or ETA. You can set a timer for the sharing session, after which it turns off automatically, or manually stop sharing at any moment for full control. This mirrors the functionality already enjoyed by users of apps like WhatsApp, indicating Google’s intent to keep its native messaging platform fully competitive. Consolidating this tool within Messages streamlines the user experience, placing a powerful utility right where conversations about plans and check-ins are already happening.
(Source: Android Police)
