Google Maps replaces direction arrow in favour of blue beam

Google has finally added a long-awaited feature to its mapping service: it now shows users the direction they are facing!

Although the feature had been available to Beta users for some time, Google has now made it available to the masses.



The direction arrow on blue dot that used to show a user’s position is now being replaced with a shining blue beam, described by Google described as a "flashlight guiding your travels”.

The width of the beam also tells you how accurate your phone’s direction is at any given time: the narrower the beam, the more accurate the direction!



The wider the beam indicates that the phone’s compass is temporarily uncalibrated.



To adjust, all users have to do is the swim gesture in the air making a figure eight while the app is running on their phone.

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