- New battery saving mode for Google Maps, exclusive, for now, to the Pixel 10
- Minimalist black and white interface without superfluous elements to reduce consumption
- Up to four additional hours of autonomy during car navigation
- Only available while driving, in portrait orientation, and can be activated from settings or with the power button.
Those who use their mobile phones as GPS for their daily commutes know that Navigation with Google Maps drains the battery at a considerable rate.Having the screen on all the time, high brightness, active GPS, and mobile data constantly running is a combination that's not kind to battery life, especially on long road trips in Spain or the rest of Europe.
To alleviate that wear and tear, Google Google has begun rolling out a new battery saving mode in Google Maps on the Pixel 10 series.This is a driving-focused feature that simplifies the interface as much as possible, taking it to The always-on display promises to add up to four extra hours of use. Under certain conditions, this is especially useful when there is no plug or car charger in sight.
What is the new battery saving mode in Google Maps on the Pixel 10?
Google Maps' so-called battery saver mode arrives as part of the November Pixel Drop and it is being progressively activated in all models of the family: Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro FoldWe're not talking about a simple setting hidden in a menu, but about a new way of displaying navigation designed to spend as little as possible when using a mobile phone as a navigation system in the car.
To achieve this, Google relies on an Android feature known as AOD Min ModeThanks to this, Maps can run on the device's Always-On Display with very low resource consumption, showing only basic route information. The interface becomes monochrome (black and white), with reduced brightness and a limited refresh rateall aimed at preventing the battery from plummeting.
In this view, the map adopts a Very simple presentation on a dark backgroundThe route is marked in white, and the other streets in shades of gray, without any additional layers of information or embellishments. The goal is for the driver to retain at a glance the essentials for navigation, foregoing secondary details that, while convenient, increase fuel consumption.
According to internal tests cited by the company, the mode can Add up to four extra hours of autonomy while navigating in a carGoogle clarifies that the actual gain depends on parameters such as the chosen brightness level, screen settings, traffic conditions, or the type of route, so the experience may vary from user to user.
In practice, this approach is intended for those who do long road tripsWeekends away from home or intensive work commutes, where every point of battery counts to reach the destination without getting stranded halfway through the journey.
How Google Maps' interface changes to save battery
When activated battery saving mode in Google MapsThe application reduces its appearance to a minimum. The usual floating buttons disappear on the right side, as well as the shortcuts to report incidents, the quick search button on the map, or the lower controls that usually accompany the full navigation view.
Another important sacrifice is the removal of current speed indicatorThis data requires constant on-screen updates and therefore incurs additional energy consumption. In Eco mode, this function has been disabled to prioritize energy savings, which may surprise some drivers but is simply a matter of reducing any element that puts extra strain on the system.
The top part of the screen retains the bar with the next turn and essential route informationThe top section displays only basic information: remaining time, distance to travel, and estimated time of arrival. There are no additional menus or layers of information to clutter the view, so the driver sees just what they need to stay on track.
In this mode, the The Google Assistant or Gemini button is also left out of the interfaceEven so, the system status bar remains visible, displaying the time, battery level, and signal strength, so the user can monitor these elements without having to go to the desktop or turn on full screen.
If you need to see notifications during your route, simply... slide in from the top to display the classic Android notification panel. And if at any point you need to return to the full Google Maps experience, the process is simple: tap the screen or press the power button again to return to standard mode with all its features.
Limitations, conditions of use and availability
This mode has been specifically designed for the car navigationAnd that's reflected in several restrictions. The clearest is that It only works when the route is set to go by car.If the user chooses to walk, cycle, or use public transport, the energy-saving option does not come into play for now.
Furthermore, Google has limited its operation to the vertical orientation of the phoneThose who typically place their phone horizontally on the dashboard or in a windshield mount will not be able to activate the minimalist view as long as they continue using the device in that format. This decision aims to maintain a very specific and simple design, although the company may review this policy in the future.
Another important point is the temporary exclusivity for the Pixel 10The feature is only coming to this generation via a server-side update, and there's no official date for when it will be rolled out to previous Pixel models or other Android phones in Europe. Google itself has acknowledged that, for now, it's a feature reserved for its latest family of devices.
Regarding its default state, the mode is usually It will be automatically activated after the updateHowever, each user can decide whether to keep it or not. It can be disabled at any time from the Maps navigation settings if the full interface is preferred, even at the cost of increased battery consumption.
It is important to keep in mind that, once the device detects that the destination has been reached, Battery saving mode closes automaticallyThis prevents the reduced view from remaining active when it is no longer needed and restores the traditional experience without the user having to do anything.
How to turn battery saver mode on or off in Google Maps
Activating this battery-saving mode in Google Maps for the Pixel 10 can be done very quickly while driving. If the route is already underway, simply... Press the phone's power buttonInstead of turning off the screen completely, the system switches to the minimalist black and white interface, running on top of the always-on display.
In some cases, when starting a new driving route, the following appears an information card at the bottom which offers the option to activate power saving mode with a single tap. This notification serves as a reminder for users who haven't yet explored the settings or who are unaware that the feature is already available on their device.
The other way to manage this is by going directly to the app's settings menus. The process is the usual one: Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, and go to "Settings".From there, you have to access the "Navigation" section and locate the "Driving options" block, where the specific switch appears to activate or deactivate the battery saving mode according to each person's preferences.
This manual control is useful for those who, for example, only want economy mode in Long journeys on highways or motorways They prefer the full view on short trips around town. It also allows drivers who regularly drive in Spain or other European countries to decide to what extent sacrificing visual elements is worth it for gaining minutes (or even hours) of range.
In day-to-day operations, it's quite transparent: once the journey is over, Maps returns to standard mode without any additional steps, ready to be used in any other context, whether to check a nearby establishment, review reviews or plan a walking route.
Relationship with Gemini and driving experience in the Pixel 10
In parallel with the rollout of this mode, Google continues to strengthen the Gemini integration with Google Maps and with the overall experience of the Pixel 10. Although the assistant button is not featured in the battery-saving interface, the company wants drivers to rely more on the full view. natural language voice commands and even less so when tapping on the screen while driving.
Gemini allows you to ask questions like "What's my next turn?" or "What time will I arrive?"as well as requesting locations along the route, for example, "find a gas station on my route" or "locate a restaurant with a daily menu near my destination." These types of voice requests are especially practical on long road trips where manually interacting with the mobile phone is not advisable.
Another new feature related to the assistant is the use of indications supported by real reference pointsInstead of simply saying "turn right in 300 meters," Gemini can mention specific businesses or locations, such as "after the gas station" or "past the supermarket." While this approach is most noticeable in the overall interface, Google's general philosophy is to make navigation more natural and intuitive.
Taken together, both the battery-saving mode and the Gemini integration point to Refine the driving experience with the Pixel 10In this area, mobile phones are increasingly replacing dedicated GPS devices. For users in Spain and other European countries, where using phones as navigation systems is widespread, these changes can make a significant difference in convenience and safety.
With this update, Google is betting on a interface reduced to the essentialsWithout sacrificing the key features that make Maps an almost indispensable tool while driving, Google Maps' battery saver mode offers a streamlined interface, activated with a simple gesture, and focused on extending battery life. This makes it an interesting ally for those who drive a lot of miles with their Pixel 10, whether on daily commutes or road trips.
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