14 DAY TRIAL // Last week, Google anxiously announced that it would introduce a new feature for Android, iOS and desktop users of its Maps platform. The new tool would allow users to share their real-time location and ETA with friends and family.
To do so, users would simply need to open the side menu inside Google Maps or tap on the blue dot showing their location on the map. Location sharing was designed as a simple and quick method for everyone to share their current position and let people know how much time is left before they reach their destination. In its release report, Google didn’t mention when the new feature would roll out to all users, the tech giant only said that it would reach Android, iOS and desktop users soon.
Location sharing is disabled in Google+
But it seems that Google has already disabled the feature in Google+ and redirected users towards Google Maps, as Android Police noticed. When users tap on the side menu in Google+ and choose Locations, the app displays a message saying that “Location sharing has moved to Google Maps.”
It also says that users should continue to Google Maps to choose the people they want to share their location with. That’s quite simple and straight-forward, except for the fact that location sharing in Google Maps is not yet live for everyone. Perhaps, Google intends to start rolling out the feature as soon as possible, but decided to remove the feature from Google+ beforehand.
Either way, users are now left without any solution from Google to share their current location with friends and family, except for the Trusted Contacts app. The move does come just a day after Facebook announced that it introduced live location sharing in its Messenger app, both on Android and iOS. Nonetheless, Google will surely sort this out very soon, with an update to bring live location sharing to its Maps application.