Google Maps on Android Auto adopted a redesigned incident alert UI. It addresses a long-standing complaint about pop-ups that interrupt navigation directions. Meanwhile, a separate bug has surfaced that keeps Maps locked in day mode after dark.

The new alert clips onto the ETA bar at the bottom of the screen instead of swallowing your directions whole, via 9to5Google.

Turn instructions, road names, and distance countdowns stay exactly where they are. The Yes/No confirmation options appear within the small overlay, which fades away on its own after a few seconds if you do not interact with it.

The result varies slightly depending on the display in your vehicle. On taller screens, the improvement is noticeable but moderate. On shorter, wider displays, the new alert still avoids pushing critical navigation elements out of view.

Google hasn’t formally announced any of this, but the change appears to be server-side, rolling out gradually.

Over the past week, reports have been stacking up across Google’s support forums and Reddit from users whose Maps no longer switch to dark mode at night. The app just stays in its blinding day theme, headlights on or not.

Meta has officially announced Instagram Plus, a new subscription service that adds exclusive tools aimed at personalization, deeper social interactions, and additional story insights.

The core Instagram experience remains unchanged and free for everyone, while Instagram Plus serves as an optional upgrade for users who want extra features and more control.

Launched on June 4, Instagram Plus arrives with 11 features spread across three major categories: connecting with friends, gaining insights, and personalizing the app experience.

Instagram Plus – 11 new features

Get closer to who matters

• Story Spotlight – You can now give your story priority for your friends.
• Super Hearts – Users can send vibrant, animated hearts that burst across the screen to celebrate stories from friends.
• Multiple Story Audiences – Create as many audience lists as you want, so you can share exactly the right story with exactly the right people.
• Story Extend – Now set your story to last 48 hours so the people you care about have more time to see it.

See previews and insights

• Story Preview – Plus subscribers can preview stories without the pressure to react.
• Story Rewatch Insights – Instagram Plus users can see how many times their stories were rewatched.
• Search Viewer List – Quickly check if a specific person viewed your story.

Make it yours

• Custom App Icon – Choose your own app icon from a curated selection designed by Instagram and Instagram creators.
• Custom Bio Font – Customize the font of your profile bio to match your style.
• More Profile Pins – Pin up to 6 posts to your profile to highlight what matters most.
• Post Directly to Profile – Post to your profile or highlights without it appearing in friends’ feeds.

FAQ: 5 questions everyone is asking

1. Does Instagram remain free?

• Instagram says the standard experience is not changing and will continue to be available free of charge.

2. What is Instagram Plus?

• Instagram Plus is a paid monthly subscription that unlocks exclusive Instagram features; it’s entirely optional.

3. How is Instagram Plus different from Instagram?

• Instagram Plus introduces 11 additional features over the free version, including Story Spotlight, Super Hearts, Multiple Story Audiences, Story Extend, Story Preview, Story Rewatch Insights, Search Viewer List, Custom App Icons, Custom Bio Fonts, More Profile Pins, and Post Directly to Profile.

4. Can I cancel Instagram Plus anytime?

• Meta allows subscribers to cancel their Instagram Plus subscription; users retain access until the current billing period ends.

5. Is Instagram Plus available worldwide?

• Instagram Plus is rolling out globally. Users can check their Instagram settings to see whether the subscription has become available in their market.

The Smart Reply feature of Google Messages has had one glaring flaw for years. Tap the wrong suggestion, and it’s gone, sent, no taking it back. Well, Google is now finally doing something about it, and you would like it.

Smart Replies were always a liability for anyone typing fast in a noisy environment, and disabling the feature entirely became the workaround.

The new Google Messages Smart Reply feature is called “Tap to Draft,” and it does exactly what it sounds like. Instead of firing off a Smart Reply the moment you touch it, the suggested text drops into your compose field first.

You edit it, ignore it, or hit send when you are actually ready. Well, this isn’t on by default; you will need to dig into Settings, then Suggestions and Actions, and flip the switch yourself.

The fix is rolling out now with the stable build version 20260522_00_RC00 of Google Messages (via 9to5Google). The feature itself is fine, and the opt-in requirement is the part that will frustrate people who never find the setting.

Google is now rolling out Google Meet on Android Auto to all users. This new feature lets people join Google Meet calls directly from their car while driving.

The feature first started rolling out in April, but it is now becoming available to everyone. It is designed to help users stay connected while keeping their focus on the road.

Google Meet on Android Auto only supports audio calls. Video calls are not available, and the phone’s camera stays turned off during the meeting. This helps reduce distractions and makes driving safer.

To use this feature, drivers can open the Meet app on the Android Auto screen and see any scheduled meetings for the day. With a single tap, they can join the meeting immediately. There is no pre-call screen or extra setup required.

The interface is very simple. Users can mute or unmute themselves and leave the meeting when they want. However, they cannot start a new Meet call from the car. They can only join scheduled meetings or answer incoming Meet calls.

Google has also removed some features to improve safety. Options such as Hand Raise, Polls, and Q&A are not available while using Meet in Android Auto. Also, there’s a useful feature called “On-the-Go” mode. When a Meet call starts in the car, the connected Android phone automatically switches to this mode.

There is one limitation. Google Meet on Android Auto does not fully support Work profile accounts. Users may see active work calls, but they cannot view scheduled meetings or call history from those accounts.

Google is making it easier and safer for drivers to attend important meetings while traveling with Google Meet on Android Auto.

WhatsApp is testing plenty of new features and changes in its Beta channel, but two of them are actually exciting. WhatsApp for Android would add a new Contacts tab along with a View Once option for text messages.

Dedicated WhatsApp news blog WABetaInfo discovered a new Contacts tab and View once option for text messages in the recent Beta builds. The features are currently being tested, while a rollout window is unknown.

Contacts tab

WhatsApp is preparing a major interface overhaul for the navigation bar with version 2.26.22.6. The app is testing a new Contacts tab, which will replace the Updates tab, offering easier access to your contacts within the app.

Status Updates will be shifted to the top, beside the app header. The appearance is becoming more like Instagram Story look. Presently, the app keeps Updates and Channels inside the Updates tab, with Updates in rectangular cards.

View Once text messages

WhatsApp Beta 2.26.22.7 version added a View once option for text messages for some users. Similar to photos and videos, the View once text feature will vanish the text message after the recipient views the content.

That’s going to be a great tool to keep your sensitive messages ultra private. Texts becoming inaccessible after viewing once will be a big deal. It will be useful in everyday conversations when you want to ensure secrecy.

WhatsApp continues to develop and test new features and UI tweaks. Changes are applied to the Stable channel once they are verified by the engineers. Future updates of WhatsApp would bring some of the upgrades to your device.