Google Maps is updating the Fused Orientation Provider (FOP) API to improve direction accuracy in busy areas. The update integrates gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer data, reduces magnetic interference, and takes advantage of Google Maps and third-party apps on Android 5.0 or higher.
We keep hearing about it Google Maps fiasco from all over the world where it steers people in a strange direction and eventually gets them stuck in a “worst case scenario”. Now, a new post on the Android Developers blog hints at Maps getting a new one update better with directions.
The post talks about a potential upgrade that Maps will get Blended Orientation Provider (FOP) API that aims to make “orientation” detection better on Android devices, regardless of the hardware used by different OEMs on their devices.
According to the post, the update will allow Maps to better interpret directions by combining gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer data to make it more accurate.
However, the idea of ​​Google using the data from all the sensors is not new, the company has used the API before, but the update will make better magnetic interference. According to the post, the changes will apply not only to Google Maps, but also to third-party apps that rely on Google Maps to offer navigation information.
It should be noted that the update will be done with the internals of Google Maps, it will not affect the user interface or the layout of the application. Also, updated API will be rolled out server-side or through an app update on Android devices running Android 5.0 or higher.
How it will affect users
As mentioned, the update won’t change anything in terms of the app’s design or user interface. Changes are internal in the form of an API that will be automatically pushed through an update. However, the update is set to make directions better, especially in busy areas.
The post talks about a potential upgrade that Maps will get Blended Orientation Provider (FOP) API that aims to make “orientation” detection better on Android devices, regardless of the hardware used by different OEMs on their devices.
According to the post, the update will allow Maps to better interpret directions by combining gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer data to make it more accurate.
However, the idea of ​​Google using the data from all the sensors is not new, the company has used the API before, but the update will make better magnetic interference. According to the post, the changes will apply not only to Google Maps, but also to third-party apps that rely on Google Maps to offer navigation information.
It should be noted that the update will be done with the internals of Google Maps, it will not affect the user interface or the layout of the application. Also, updated API will be rolled out server-side or through an app update on Android devices running Android 5.0 or higher.
How it will affect users
As mentioned, the update won’t change anything in terms of the app’s design or user interface. Changes are internal in the form of an API that will be automatically pushed through an update. However, the update is set to make directions better, especially in busy areas.
