Starting today, Google Maps will look a little different on mobile as the company has announced an update to its smartphone apps. The Maps service has been around for a long time and the update is designed to modernize the look and feel with a fresh makeover.
Google Maps is a popular app that is capable of providing turn by turn directions and real-time updates on how busy the roads are - even though it can occasionally be hacked. The advanced Google Maps features did not arrive overnight, but are the result of many years of development and tweaking. In fact, it has taken approximately 15 years in total for the service to get to where it is today. To celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of Google Maps, the app has now been giving a new look.
Google is rolling out a new app update on both Android and iOS. The update comes with a number of feature changes, although the most obvious difference is the new logo. To mark the Maps anniversary, the app icon and general branding is changing to focus more on the Google Maps pin. The pin has always been a central part of the experience and it is what’s used to denote locations and places of interest. Due to this level of prominence, the pin now takes center stage as the icon. Finishing off the new look is the color scheme Google now uses for most of its services and products, including Google Assistant.
Here Are The New Google Maps Features
Besides the branding, one of the major functional changes is the bottom row within the app. Previously, this row was comprised of three tabs: Explore, Commute and For you. Following the update, there’s five tabs with For you removed and Saved, Contribute and Updates added. Google explains the three new tabs are designed to make it easier for users to navigate the entire app from the home screen.
Another new change is the level of granular information that’s now available when traveling by public transport. Google Maps was already capable of advising on transport delays and even how crowded a bus or train might be. However, Google has now expanded the riding feature to include information on temperature and accessibility. In addition, there’s also new safety-related information, such as whether there’s any security features on board or a dedicated women’s section. Google also announced some improvements to its Live View feature, although they are not rolling out as part of the current birthday update.
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Source: Google
