Google is celebrating 15 years of Maps with a fresh look and product improvements.
No longer just a means to an end, the revamped app for Android and iOS features a new, four-color icon, as well as the five-icon navigation system.
New Year, New Look
Five tabs provide easier access to everything you need (via Google Maps)
Replacing the old “hamburger” menu (where less popular functions go to die), the tab section includes three new options:
- Saved: view all bookmarked lists and locations; find and organize plans; share recommendations
- Contribute: share local knowledge about roads and addresses, missing places, business reviews, and photos
- Updates: discover trending, must-see spots from local experts and publishers
Users can easily access the tabs from anywhere on the platform. (Unless, like me, your just-updated app still shows only Explore, Commute, and For You. What gives, Google?)
“We’re constantly evolving to help you get around—no matter how you choose to travel,” VP of product Dane Glasgow wrote in a blog announcement. “Our new transit features in the Google Maps app help you stay informed when you’re taking public transportation.”
On The Go
New trip attributes help make informed decisions about travel plans (via Google Maps)
Following up on last year’s crowdedness predictions, the company introduced new insights about routes from past riders, “so you’ll be able to see important details,” Glasgow said.
Look for information on temperature, accessibility, women’s sections, onboard security, and (in Japan only) the number of carriages available.
The helpful tips, rolling out globally in March, come from past riders who’ve shared their experiences. You can do the same by answering a short survey within Google Maps about your recent trips.
The firm is also expanding its AR-powered Live View feature to better assist searches, and show users how far away and in which direction their destination is.
Glow Up
No makeover is complete without an aesthetic upgrade: The new Google Maps icon “reflects the evolution we’ve made mapping the world,” VP of product Dane Glasgow wrote in a blog announcement.
“It’s based on a key part of Google maps since the very beginning—the pin—and represents the shift we’ve made from getting you to your destination to also helping you discover new places and experiences,” Glasgow added.
Keep an eye out for a celebratory party-themed car icon, available for a limited time when you navigate with Google Maps.
More on Geek.com:
- Artist Creates Virtual Traffic Jams in Google Maps
- Google Maps Introduces Incognito Mode for iOS
- Google Maps Turns Spotlight on Local Guides
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