All articles tagged with #maps
ZDNET summarizes Google's I/O Android Auto reveal: a refreshed three-panel, Material You–inspired UI, immersive Maps navigation, self-generated widgets, and Gemini AI capable of car-specific controls and multimodal queries like identifying landmarks. The update aims to make driving more contextual and hands-free, with rollout later this year and varying availability by vehicle, as illustrated by a Volvo EX60 demo.
Over two months after its release, a Reddit user has built a near-1:1 replica of the Kanto region in Pokémon Pokopia, using a blank Palette Town map and adjusting routes and city sizes to fit. Interiors exist for a few locations like Professor Oak’s Lab and Mt. Moon, while others are simplified. The creator plans to expand with Route 29 and New Bark Town using extra space.
Google announced a major Android Auto upgrade that scales to non-standard car displays, introduces customizable widgets via Gemini, adds an immersive Google Maps 3D view, and enables video playback in parked cars (auto-switching to audio when you drive). Rollout is planned across multiple OEMs throughout the year.
iOS 26.5 adds end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between iPhone and Android, brings a new Maps 'Suggested Places' feature (with groundwork for ads), expands EU support for third-party wearables (proximity pairing, notifications, and Live Activities), adds an option to choose which attachments to transfer when moving from iPhone to Android, introduces an Inuktitut keyboard, and fixes over 50 security vulnerabilities.
Apple released iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, introducing end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhone and Android (beta), a new Maps 'Suggested Places' feature with ad groundwork, and a Pride Luminance wallpaper; updates are available OTA with carrier/region caveats, and Apple signals iOS 27/iPadOS 27 previews at WWDC.
Apple’s iOS 26.5 introduces three new features: (1) end‑to‑end encryption for RCS messaging between iOS and Android devices (beta, rolling out to supported carriers); (2) a new Suggested Places feature in Maps that offers location-based recommendations (with ads coming to the US and Canada later this year, labeled accordingly and with privacy protections); and (3) a Pride Luminance wallpaper that refracts a spectrum of colors on iPhone and iPad when running iOS 26.5/iPadOS 26.5. SMS remains unencrypted; Apple cautions the update RC suggests a global rollout next week, ahead of iOS 27 at WWDC 2026.
iOS 26.5, expected in May, is a relatively minor update that largely sets the stage for iOS 27. In beta, it hints at end-to-end encryption for RCS in Messages, adds local ads and a new "Suggested Places" feature in Maps with privacy protections, and includes a new Pride wallpaper. It also signals broader cross‑device support for third-party wearables and headphones in the EU under the Digital Markets Act, plus a few other small tweaks.
Kiln reveals its Spring 2026 roadmap: launching April 23 across Xbox, PC, Steam, and PS with five maps, a Dinosaur Decoration Pack, progression up to level 50, weekly post-launch updates, new maps and features through summer, a Photo Mode, and two editions (Standard and Fired Up) with exclusive cosmetics and attachments.
Live Science reports that comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS), a Kreutz sungrazer, did not survive its close pass with the Sun. Space-based observations show MAPS disintegrating into a cloud of debris and a ghostly tail after reaching perihelion about 100,000 miles from the solar surface, leaving no visible body behind.
A newly discovered comet, C/2026 A1 (MAPS), is brightening rapidly and could become visible from Earth if it survives a perilous close approach to the Sun on April 4, passing about 99,000 miles from the solar photosphere. If it endures, it may be seen in the western twilight around April 8–14, potentially as bright as Venus, with the safest viewing through SOHO’s LASCO C3 imagery from April 2–6. Astronomers emphasize eye safety when looking near the Sun and note the comet’s Kreutz sungrazer nature and long orbital history, with observations focusing on the Sun‑watching spacecraft for near-real-time images.
A newly discovered comet, C/2026 A1 (MAPS), has brightened enough to potentially be seen from Earth in coming weeks, but only if it survives an extremely close pass by the Sun on April 4, nearly skimming the solar surface at about 159,000 km. If it endures, it could briefly appear in the western twilight between April 8–14, possibly rivaling Venus in brightness. Observers are urged to use caution around looking at the Sun; binoculars may help locate it and viewing via SOHO's LASCO imagery offers a safer alternative. The MAPS team discovered the comet on Jan. 13 in Chile, and its fate hinges on whether solar heat and gravity tear it apart during perihelion.
Astronomers are buzzing about Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS), a Kreutz sungrazer discovered in Chile that could become a bright naked-eye comet if it survives its extreme Sun approach at perihelion in early April. Its current magnitude is faint, and experts split on whether it will survive and brighten; by early March we should have a clearer forecast. If MAPS performs, it could grace the western evening sky in mid-April after sunset, but many Kreutz comets disintegrate near perihelion. The MAPS name honors the team that developed its discovery program.
Battlestate Games confirms Escape from Tarkov's first major crossover with Escape from Duckov, kicking off February 10. The collaboration will bring a Tarkov-inspired map, a mount system, and festival content, with players facing off against classic Tarkov characters as part of the crossover.
Nadja announces she is taking over this month’s Java Realms map release, sharing her top map picks (Anaglyph, Xaleem’s Battle of the Bands, Beast Fortress, Sky Brawl, Starlight Nexus, Ice Outpost) and explaining how to load the maps in Realms. She also highlights updates to current maps (Beaconators, Be-Boxed, Desolate Desert, Destroy, Void Chains) with new features and bug fixes, thanks Mojang and Oskar for the support, and invites players to try Realms and learn how to load content.
Phasmophobia's 2026 roadmap reveals major updates including a Player Character overhaul, Unity 6 upgrade, netcode improvements, a Nintendo Switch 2 release, and the long-awaited 1.0 with a horror rework and lore updates. The year also brings map reworks for 6 Tanglewood Drive and 13 Willow Street, a new map, and returning events (Cursed Hollow, Crimson Eye, Winter's Jest) plus a new limited-time event.