Are Living Updates feature can be used in apps where it is necessary to give information about active status, such as showing ETA during navigation, status to stay due to a call, food delivery or cab tracking. All these updates will be seen on the lock screen of the phone, so that there will be no need to unlock the phone again and again.
Google says that apps like MAPS can now show directions through a status chip on the home screen, while the information about the trip and next steps on the lock screen will be available through are living updates. The advantage of this will be that users will be able to monitor any ongoing transactions or travel continuously, without opening the app.
However, Google has also made it clear that developers have to keep in mind that are living updates are seen only for the activities that have been triggered manually by the user and in which the user’s frequent attention is necessary.
Also, Google has also released some rules to prevent misuse of this feature. Under this, are living updates cannot be used for ads, promotion, chat messages, upcoming calendar events or alerts. In such a case, standard notifications, quick setting tiles or app widgets have to be used.
Google has also mentioned some actions. For example, if a user buys a flight or concert ticket in advance, are living updates can be triggered, but only when the time of the event is very close.
