Google Maps starts rolling out 'Live View' AR walking directions

Having to orient yourself in new surroundings can be tricky. Google Maps wants to help you out with that through the rollout of its Live View feature, which is basically augmented reality walking directions. It's rolling out in beta and it will be available on iOS and Android phones that have system-level support for AR (those that support Google's ARcore) and as long as Street View is available where you are. The idea isn't to have you looking at your phone constantly but to help you orient yourself in unfamiliar territory. The app shows you arrows and big, readable street markers overlaid over the real scene so you know what direction to take.

The feature was announced early this year and was available in early alpha mode to both Google Pixel users and Google Maps Local Guides. It lets you tap on any location nearby in Maps. Just tap the Directions button, then select Walking, and then Live View option should appear at the bottom of the screen.

Source: TechCrunch