I’m a longtime Google Maps consumer, even I’ve bother navigating the app typically. It’s not about Google’s large redesign from final yr that angered most individuals. I’m wonderful with the brand new colours and wouldn’t swap again to the earlier palette. This really proves that we will simply adapt to app consumer interfaces, and we do it shortly even when the modifications appear scary.
What I don’t like is how I continuously have to tug up and right down to open menus and look at data whereas I’m navigating. I do this on a regular basis whereas strolling or utilizing public transit, and it’s even worse whereas driving. I typically get misplaced within the menus and neglect what I used to be in search of.
That’s much more annoying in case you’re coping with a model new metropolis that you need to navigate to get to a selected vacation spot shortly. I don’t even wish to suppose how troublesome it have to be to navigate Google Maps in case you’re a much less tech-savvy consumer.
A couple of months in the past, Google gave us a short have a look at what the brand new Google Maps UI might be. The app would possibly dispose of full-screen menus and supply extra contextual details about the place you might be on the map. It may additionally present extra of the map quite than litter the navigation panel with different UI components.
Right here’s what the redesign teaser seemed like again in early February:
It seems that Google hasn’t deserted the UI modifications, and that’s nice information. As a substitute, Google has been tweaking the design modifications, and it’s now providing an early look have a look at the redesign.
After discovering the preliminary UI design take a look at in February, 9to5Google says Google pulled it from Android gadgets after just a few weeks. However Google is now again with an identical Google Maps design take a look at that builds on the earlier model. The complete-screen data sheets are actually changed with panels which have rounded corners and don’t take up all the show. You’ll be able to nonetheless see the map on the high, which makes in-app navigation simpler than earlier than.
Google additionally positioned easy “X” buttons on the data sheets that inform you methods to shut a panel to concentrate on the map.
Talking of the maps, when the data sheets are minimized, you see extra of the map and any navigation strategies you may need. That’s an incredible improve, a minimum of for me. Whereas I’m utilizing Google Maps to find locations round me, I nonetheless want it for navigating greater than anything.
After touring for a few weeks and utilizing Google Maps extensively to seek out shops, locations to eat, resorts, and getting assist with public transportation, I can safely say I positively would have appreciated the redesign. It’s a lot cleaner than the present UI, and it’ll make discovering your manner across the Google Maps app quite a bit simpler.
As all the time with unreleased Google Maps options, nothing is remaining for now. Google continues to be testing the redesign, and the brand new UI is just obtainable on Android after you get on model 11.127.x. That assumes Google makes it obtainable in your space or in your machine. As an iPhone consumer, I don’t have entry to any of that.
Nonetheless, as soon as Google is pleased with the brand new UI, it’ll be obtainable on Androids and iPhones. You’ll be able to see the brand new design modifications extra intently by following this hyperlink, as 9to5Google captured loads of screenshots highlighting the modifications.
