Google Maps on the Fitbit Versa 4 and on a smartphone have several key differences:
1. Functionality and Interface:
- Smartphone: Google Maps on smartphones offers a comprehensive set of features, including transit directions, street view, and detailed maps. It provides a full-screen interface with zooming capabilities, making it easier to navigate complex routes.
- Versa 4: On the Fitbit Versa 4, Google Maps is more streamlined, focusing on turn-by-turn directions for cycling, driving, and walking. It lacks transit directions and street view, and the interface is optimized for a smaller screen, showing essential information like current direction and upcoming turns[2][3][4].
2. Auto-Start Feature:
- Smartphone: On smartphones, users must manually open Google Maps and start navigation.
- Versa 4: The Versa 4 has an auto-start feature for cycling and walking, which automatically opens Google Maps on the watch when navigation begins on the connected smartphone. For driving, this feature must be manually enabled[4][5].
3. Always-On Display (AOD):
- Smartphone: Smartphones typically do not have an AOD mode for Google Maps, as they are designed to conserve battery by turning off the screen when not in use.
- Versa 4: When the Versa 4's AOD is active, it shows only the current direction, providing a glanceable view of navigation information[3].
4. Dependency on Smartphone:
- Smartphone: Google Maps on smartphones operates independently.
- Versa 4: The Versa 4 requires a connected smartphone to use Google Maps, as it relies on the phone's app for navigation data. The watch acts as a companion device, displaying directions initiated on the phone[2][5].
5. Platform Compatibility:
- Smartphone: Google Maps is available on both Android and iOS smartphones.
- Versa 4: Initially, Google Maps on the Versa 4 was limited to Android users, with iOS support planned for later rollout[2][4].
Overall, while Google Maps on the Versa 4 provides convenient, wrist-based navigation, it is designed to complement smartphone use rather than replace it.
Citations:[1] https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Versa-4/Versa-2-vs-Versa-4-or-Sense-2/td-p/5229315
[2] https://screenrant.com/use-google-maps-fitbit-sense-2-versa-4-how/
[3] https://www.phonearena.com/news/Google-Maps-now-works-without-any-issues-on-the-Fitbit-Versa-4-and-Sense-2_id145121
[4] https://9to5google.com/2022/12/19/google-maps-fitbit-sense-2-versa-4/
[5] https://www.androidpolice.com/how-to-set-up-google-maps-on-your-fitbit-sense-2-or-versa-4/
[6] https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/1chcza6/google_maps_different_infos_on_different_phones/
[7] https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to/how-to-use-google-maps-on-fitbit-sense-2-fitbit-versa-4
[8] https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Versa-4/Google-Maps-not-working-on-Versa-4/td-p/5298124