Experienced users keeping an eye on new app releases and trying to always be among the first to get access to new features are obsessed with version numbers. They are often the first indicator that something big might be changing under the hood of an app, as software typically increase the version number whenever a new major release happens.
Google apps don't fall into this category, and Android Auto is the best example. Jumping from version 12.9 to 13.0 might look like big news, but Google doesn't think so, and the new release isn't any different from a typical bug-fixing update.
The same applies to Google Maps, as the search company doesn't see any release to signal the release of a big update with a massive change in the version number. For example, Google Maps has been using version number 11.x on Android for three years, and the app has received several big updates since then.
Google is reportedly embracing a new approach for Google Maps version numbers, and it all makes sense. The company brings Android and iOS releases in sync with a version number that uses the year.week.xx.xxx format.
It might sound complicated, but if you look at the iPhone App Store, you'll see that the latest Google Maps update jumped from version 6.142.0 (dated November 15) to version 24.47.3. This latter update was released on November 22, and the same version should also be available for Android users through the Google Play Store.
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
The new numbering system makes more sense for Google and allows users to track releases more easily. The format includes the year (24) and the week (47) of the release, so when you look at the version number, you'll be able to tell precisely when it was released.
Obviously, if you're a user who doesn't care about such changes and only wants Google Maps to get you from where you are to where you want to be, the new version numbers won't affect you. It's more of a change aimed at Google's engineers and power users who want to track releases, also bringing the two mobile releases in sync.
Google Maps has received several big changes lately, including a speedometer on CarPlay and incident reporting on Android Auto and CarPlay. This means users can now report hazards on the road as they do in Waze, though the number of supported hazards is significantly smaller and includes roadworks, accidents, speed cameras, and stalled vehicles. This is a way to avoid cannibalization between Waze and Google Maps, as the search firm still sees no reason to merge the two apps.
The new number system for Google Maps versions is already live, and if you enabled automatic updates, the latest build installed on your device should be 24.47.3.
Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones. Full profile
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