Navigation UX is confusing / does not make all possibilities apparent #10348

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opened 2025-02-26 12:01:03 +00:00 by bocops · 0 comments

bocops commented

2025-02-26 12:01:03 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Problem:

As a first-time user of the Android app, it took me several attempts to eventually understand the navigation UX, failing at different steps along the way:

When navigating, I typically select the destination first, by either tapping on the map or searching. Either way, I end up with buttons "Route from" and "Route to" shown for the chosen POI (let's call this D).
Tapping "Route to" immediately starts a navigation from my current location to D, even if I intended to pick a different starting point.
Tapping "Route from" instead displays text "Use search or tap on the map to add a destination point" - but doing either does not actually "add [the] destination point". Instead, it shows buttons "Route from" and "Route to" again. I initially did not expect having to tap on either.
At this point, tapping "Route from" discards the previously selected point.
Only if instead tapping "Route to" (point S), I end up with a navigation between the two points I want to navigate between - but even then, they are in the wrong order (D to S instead of S to D).

In summary, the only apparent way to start a "correct" navigation between arbitrary points seems to be:

Select starting point, tap "Route from"
Select destination point, tap "Route to"

Only just now, while writing this issue, it occurred to me that I can also:

Select destination point, tap "Route to"
After navigation from current location is already being displayed, tap starting point, select "Route from"

Obviously, none of this is wrong per se, but perhaps the different possibilities could be better hinted at in the UI.

Potential enhancement:

Clarify in the UI that:
- stops can be added after a navigation has already started (solving item 2 and the "Only just now" part)
- destination must be added via "Route to" button (solving item 3)
- tapping "Route from" after starting point has already been selected replaces point (solving item 4)
Additionally, allow reversal of a navigation (Start <--> Destination) to solve item 5
Alternatively: For the first stop selected, get rid of the "Route to/from" differentiation, replacing these actions with a single "Navigate" button. If this button is tapped, bring up the following different options:
- "Route from current" (interpreting selected stop as destination, navigate there from current location)
- "Route from ..." (interpreting selected stop as destination, allow picking a starting point)
- "Route to ..." (interpreting selected stop as start, allow picking a destination point)

**Problem:** As a first-time user of the Android app, it took me several attempts to eventually understand the navigation UX, failing at different steps along the way: 1. When navigating, I typically select the destination first, by either tapping on the map or searching. Either way, I end up with buttons "Route from" and "Route to" shown for the chosen POI (let's call this D). 2. Tapping "Route to" immediately starts a navigation from my current location to D, even if I intended to pick a different starting point. 3. Tapping "Route from" instead displays text "Use search or tap on the map to add a destination point" - but doing either does not actually "add [the] destination point". Instead, it shows buttons "Route from" and "Route to" again. I initially did not expect having to tap on either. 4. At this point, tapping "Route from" discards the previously selected point. 5. Only if instead tapping "Route to" (point S), I end up with a navigation between the two points I want to navigate between - but even then, they are in the wrong order (D to S instead of S to D). In summary, the only apparent way to start a "correct" navigation between arbitrary points seems to be: 1. Select starting point, tap "Route from" 2. Select destination point, tap "Route to" Only just now, while writing this issue, it occurred to me that I can also: 1. Select destination point, tap "Route to" 2. After navigation from current location is already being displayed, tap starting point, select "Route from" Obviously, none of this is wrong per se, but perhaps the different possibilities could be better hinted at in the UI. **Potential enhancement:** - Clarify in the UI that: - stops can be added after a navigation has already started (solving item 2 and the "Only just now" part) - destination must be added via "Route to" button (solving item 3) - tapping "Route from" after starting point has already been selected replaces point (solving item 4) - Additionally, allow reversal of a navigation (Start <--> Destination) to solve item 5 - Alternatively: For the first stop selected, get rid of the "Route to/from" differentiation, replacing these actions with a single "Navigate" button. If this button is tapped, bring up the following different options: - "Route from current" (interpreting selected stop as destination, navigate there from current location) - "Route from ..." (interpreting selected stop as destination, allow picking a starting point) - "Route to ..." (interpreting selected stop as start, allow picking a destination point)

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