Google Maps is beta testing an AR navigation feature called Live View . By leveraging live footage from a user 's smartphone camera , Live View superimposes directions on the screen to assist in identifying turnings , giving clearer instructions than top - down navigation . Owners of Android phones supporting tablets and iPhones with ARKit capability can test the feature on Google Maps when tracking Google directions . The development keeps Google ahead of Apple in navigation , after Apple Maps just recently applied for an AR direction feature .
Google Maps is beta testing an AR navigation feature called Live View. By leveraging live footage from a user's smartphone camera, Live View superimposes directions on the screen to assist in identifying turnings, giving clearer instructions than top-down navigation. Owners of Android phones supporting ARCore and iPhones with ARKit capability can test the feature on Google Maps when using walking directions. The development keeps Google ahead of Apple in navigation, after Apple Maps just recently applied for an AR direction patent.