Google is rolling out a new feature ‘Live View’ AR Navigation and it will be available on both Android and iOS devices. With this feature you may possibly never get lost even in an entirely new place. This is an improvement, a massive one at that, over the existing GPS arrangement.
In the augmented reality (AR) based navigation feature, if you are stranded at a place, you just need search for a destination, or select it on the map, then tap the blue 'Directions' button at the bottom of the screen. Then select Walking directions, where a Live View option will appear at the bottom of the screen. A user just has to tap this and the app will guide you through the process of using it.
This new technology was demonstrated by Google at the I/O Conference last year and it has taken until now for the tech major to now launch it for use on the smartphones globally. Smartphones, whether run on the Android OS or iOS, if they are equipped with ARCore and ARKit compatibility should be able to enjoy this ‘Live View’ feature.
It is explained that there is a Visual Positioning System (VPS) technology behind this. In addition, this feature will be linked to the Google Street View feature which will provide the coordinates. It is understood that Google had been testing this feature at a private level for some time.
There is another feature called AR fox that could do a similar function. However, it is the Live View AR Navigation that is being released now.
You could possibly try this feature the next time you are stuck in an unknown place.