Google Maps is preparing a new “Power saving mode” behind the scenes on its Android app, which does away with color and only shows the absolutely essential details in exchange for improving your battery life.
As uncovered by the folks over at Android Authority, Google Maps is preparing a new feature on Android in the form of a “Power saving mode.” The name itself gives up the core idea, but a further description explains that the new mode will limit the app to showing only “key information.”
To save battery, press the power button while driving. Only key information such as next turns will be shown.
Weirdly, the power saving mode is activated by pressing the power button.
In action, the power saving mode in Google Maps takes away the color of the interface as well as most of the information you’d usually see. There’s no traffic information, no street names, and only the bare minimum of information. Instead, you’re just told which turn is next and how long the journey is, all in a black and white color palette.
Why the monochrome setup? The obvious answer is battery life, as Google is on record saying that darker color palettes use less power. The standard dark mode in Google Maps has a blue tint, though, which lessens the impact compared to a black and white setup like this.
There’s no word on when this might arrive for the general public.
Google Maps can be a crucial app in important situations, so being able to use it with lesser power impact could be genuinely useful. Would you use this new power-saving mode?
More on Google Maps:
- T-Mobile’s satellite internet now powers Google Maps among these apps
- Google Maps for Android shrinks FABs, updates location button
- Google Maps maimed Timelines for privacy, but that’s worse than abandoning it
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