Significant news! Last night my phone received an update of the app (dated 17th July), and now WiFi connection is established automatically and map mode available! Still Pixel 7 PRO and R1300RT.

I did sent the email as mentioned, and received the following (standard?) answer after a couple of days:

"Of course we regret the problems you are facing with your cell phone from Google. This is certainly not the product experience we want for our customers.

Unfortunately we can only assure you ...

I just got a brand new R1300RT, and have not been able to use the map mode. The phone is a Google Pixel 7 Pro. Similar story, BT connection is OK, so is step-by-step navigation.

However, I was able to use map mode with an old LG Nexus 5X which has served as a web-camera since the start of the ...