At Google I/O this May, Google revealed its redesigned Maps on your desktop browser and promised a similar redesigned Maps apps for Android an iOS soon. Today, Google revealed its new redesigned app that is rolling out gradually on the Play Store, along with some great improvements and some strange moves.
The new app brings an entirely new design clearly visible on the main screen, with the currently viewed area of the map. Differently from the last version, there are no grey menus or interface obscuring parts of the screen and map. Instead, you have a clean look with just three things on top of the map, a search bar with two smaller icons for navigation and profile (similar to the one found on the desktop app), a “Locate Me” button similar to previous versions and the new “triple dash” icon which opens up the left-side navigation bar.
Following Google’s new design guidelines extra options are found on the left-side navigation bar, which gives you access overlapping info on map like traffic, public transit or satellite, as well as access to the settings menu.
Google brought its Google Now styled cards to Maps’ Explore Menu, which is reached through the search bar on top of the map. The feature reveals info on restaurants or attractions in the form of cards, making it faster and more pleasing to look for new places, see reviews and making your own.
On its press release, Google emphasized the improved navigation and alternate route support when traffic is chaotic. Google Maps will now suggest alternative routes if traffic on your route will make it a more time consuming path. Still, Google hasn’t integrated any of Waze’s technology on this update, but we hope to see it soon.
The tablet interface also got redesigned and is now more spacious and more intelligently designed in a way to better take advantage of the extra space through button arrangement and the display of cards.
Unfortunately, Google has removed the offline maps cache option that can now only be accessed through typing “OK Maps” on the search bar. A bad move away from the much needed offline maps that leaves users with a laughable solution. In addition, Google retired Latitude but its location based features are to be added to Google+ in the future.
You should receive the update in the coming weeks, but if you’re one of the few people out there not using Maps, then take our advice and follow the Google Play link and give this fantastic Maps app and its cool new design a go. Check out the screenshots below and don’t forget to leave your comments.
[Via Google Blog]
