Google maps voice d...
 

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Google maps voice directions lacking detail - any ideas?

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Recently moved from a Samsung flip phone to a Pixel and in Google Maps the voice directions are missing road names, signed destination directions and other detail. They're never wrong as such, but definitely less helpful at more complex road layouts, e.g.

Take the second left onto West Road -> Turn left. (bad because this arrives just before the first left now!)

Take the slip road towards Runcorn -> Take the junction.

I've got some maps downloaded to the phone, so it should have all the data needed and I can't see anything in the options that's not turned on. Anyone have any bright ideas?


 
Posted : 05/09/2024 9:08 am
cycus and cycus reacted
 bens
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If you hit the button in the top right hand corner to open the menu,

Go to settings  > Navigation Settings > Voice Selection

It should be:

Default (English)

Speaks Street Names

If it's set to "English (UK)" then I don't think it works the same


 
Posted : 05/09/2024 9:47 am
multi21 and multi21 reacted
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Boom - I'll try that on the way home tonight. It was set to UK English. Cheers bens. #thumbsupemoji


 
Posted : 05/09/2024 11:02 am
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When using Apple Car Play, etc.  there're three options.  Normal, minimal and off.  You may be on the middle one.


 
Posted : 05/09/2024 11:13 am
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Lol, I've always thought saying Street names was completely pointless.

Never knew that you could turn it on and off.

Now it's off. The next issue will be when I realise that I did need it I'll be lost and not have a clue how to turn it back on again.


 
Posted : 05/09/2024 9:47 pm
J-R and J-R reacted
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Lol, I’ve always thought saying Street names was completely pointless.

I find it quite useful when you're in an unfamiliar town with lots of little residential streets close together, and generally in urban areas the road name signs are quite well maintained.

Also when you are on a big motorway interchange/junction when it tells you to follow signs to XXX helps you get in the right lane, sliproad etc.

It's working again now thanks to bens, but has adopted an awful AI/American accent where the Samsung was definitely more British. Maybe Google being an American company made this a conscious choice.


 
Posted : 06/09/2024 12:55 pm
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Just be careful of voice directions https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9d13qxq3w9o . I have mine switched off and use a combination of visual and reading road signs!


 
Posted : 06/09/2024 12:58 pm

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