load traffic layer with Google maps

[Joseph Kowalchick]

I want to use a task to find my location and load the traffic layer in Google maps, but I have no idea how to load the traffic layer.

I've been looking for 2 hours and I haven't been able to find an answer, so any help is appreciated.

[CazMaz]

Hi Joseph,

You could set the Traffic layer in the Maps app. If they are still set when you close Maps, they will be there for the next opening.
Unless Maps has changed this, you can also set Maps to auto center on your location through the Maps settings.

All you would have to do then is launch the Maps app from tasker, and you would get the result you have asked for.
If you are looking to control Maps further or from within your own app, here's the link to the developers.
https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android/reference/com/google/android/gms/maps/GoogleMap

Good Luck,
Respectfully,
CazMaz

[Joseph Kowalchick]

CazMaz they must have changed it because it doesn't load the layer of it was on the last time I used the app.

I'm not a developer and I use Tasker for some basic stuff. In this case my I just tap an NFC tag and toss my phone on the dashboard of the car any time I want to get my location and view local traffic.

For the life of me I cannot figure out how to get the traffic layer on without touching the screen... Kinda defeats my idea not interacting with the screen while I drive if I have to access that menu.

[Hagure]

The latest version of Google Maps/Navigation is a huge step backwards UX-wise! I'd love to see some traction on this, or a way to bring up the Directions list w/o resorting to input touch events.

[Joseph Kowalchick]

Thanks guys. I agree that this needs a bit more attention... Hands free maps usage is a big safety improvement, but it is not simple to do with my best friend (Tasker.)

From the research I have done (much of which is over my head) I learned that Tasker can "broadcast an intent" to be received by Maps... Do you think you can show me how to use this to tell maps to load the traffic layer?

...some clarification to my earlier post... The layer sticks when I load Maps again from my UI, but it is gone when I launch Maps from Tasker. Weird.

[Dan Shuck]

Try opening maps as an app instead of as a map. Mine remembered traffic was checked when the task was set up to open as an app

[Dan Shuck]

This worked for me ...Note 2, 4.3 no root
Maps (68)
A1: Load App [ App:Maps Data: Exclude From Recent Apps:Off ]

[Mingshuai Wang]

You can try the AutoLocation plugin,it can launch google maps app with traffic layer.