The Huawei Google Maps alternative is starting to reach some users in beta: Petal Maps can now be downloaded to a selected group of mobiles. We have tested the application: we tell you how it is and what you can expect from it. We also explain how to download it if you have a Huawei Android.
Before the inability to access Google services and applications Huawei has been developing its own alternatives. With HMS Core got a way to bring your mobile services to a large number of smartphones, same as with Petal Search, your vision of Google search (and app installer). And with petal Maps Huawei has achieved a great alternative to Google Maps, its operation is at a very good level. We have checked it.
Petal Maps, Maps and GPS Guided Navigation
Lacking Google Maps is one of the great drawbacks for the owners of a modern Huawei, not in vain the application of maps has become almost a standard. It is true that the store Huawei AppGallery It has several quality alternatives, such as Here WeGo or TomTom Go Navigation, but the gap left by not having Google Maps reinstalled is large. Y Petal Maps covers you in a more than acceptable way.
Petal Maps is in beta version for some Huawei phones that have HMS Core with version 5.0 or higher. The available version is still somewhat limited, but it offers full access to maps and also GPS navigation, the two essential functions in an app of its style.
We have been testing the location on the map and the navigation without having found any notable drawbacks: Petal Maps works as expected. It has a simple interface, the maps are perfectly legible, these have real-time traffic thanks to TomTom data (at the moment there are no more layers), favorite locations can be saved (by default Petal Maps brings work and home, two addresses that can be defined) and, as we said, point-to-point navigation with voice guidance is also included.
Petal Maps is not anywhere near as complete as Google Maps, Huawei does not intend it either. It does offer what a user needs from a map application: to tell them where they are, where is any other point on the map and how to get to that point step by step. Petal Maps delivers.
No business recommendations, but with all the basics
If we talk about functions we have to admit that Google has made Maps a gigantic application. In fact, we could almost say that the maps function is the least of it since Google Maps focuses the experience on business and user activity. Recommendations are one of the basic functions, Google Maps has evolved towards a social environment rather than a purely informative application as far as maps are concerned.
Petal Maps is a clean map app, without superfluous options, an application that offers locations and navigation, nothing more. Although nothing less, Huawei has achieved a mobile software that is perfect to find any place in the world and navigate with the car to it. Yes for now no public transport or walks, we will see how it evolves.
We can search for a specific place in the world by receiving suggestions in the search bar, accessing the traffic layer to visualize road congestion in real time, we have the lower menu ‘Directions’ to start GPS navigation and a tab labeled ‘I’ that offer access to profile information. And ready.
Petal Maps is still very basic, but it is also a beta, so Huawei has enormous room for improvement. We must refrain from knowing extended business information (it does include POIs by categories), we do not have satellite or public transport layers, Petal Maps does not allow downloading maps to be used offline and GPS navigation is very limited (it does not even include an option to avoid tolls). Huawei will expand the possibilities with future updates.
A great approach to Google Maps
We have already seen that Petal Maps is quite basic even though it offers what is necessary to be considered a good map and navigation application. There are other more complete options in AppGallery, such as Here WeGo or TomTom Go Navigation, but as a first approach Huawei has not achieved bad application. It is perfect for those who do not need advanced use of maps.
Petal Maps is currently available for Huawei P40 Y Huawei P30, also for new Huawei Mate 40. However, you can download the APK and use it on your Huawei mobile without it having to be one of those mentioned. We have tested Petal Maps successfully on a Honor Play: you can download the file from this link (via Huawei Blog). The official AppGallery file Is here.
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The news
We tested Petal Maps, Huawei’s new Google Maps that you can now download
was originally published in
Xataka Android
by
Ivan Linares
.
