Google Maps remains the world's favorite mobile navigation app, though the controversial interface update released earlier this year served as a solid reason to jump ship to Apple Maps and Waze.
However, the Mountain View-based search giant keeps working on improvements, sometimes betting big on innovative features, as is the case with Immersive View for routes. The feature allows users to preview their routes in a multi-dimensional view that comprises satellite imagery, street-level photos, traffic conditions, and weather forecasts.
With this feature, users can become familiar with every turn before they start driving, so Google Maps helps make the route more familiar even when driving in new regions.
Now, the search giant looks ready to release another big update.
The company has seemingly started testing 3D buildings in Google Maps on Android Auto, using an approach that might remind of the new Apple Maps experience. The detailed city experience, rolling out to users gradually, includes 3D buildings and landmarks with in-house Apple maps (compared to the previous version, which relied on third-party maps).
Google is currently testing the new design with a limited number of users on Android Auto, likely as the company is getting ready for a broader rollout in the coming weeks. The 3D buildings feature a transparent design, so they don't get in the way when driving in an urban region with a large number of tall buildings. However, the design doesn't look very intuitive, especially because it's hard to tell a 3D building apart from another.
Photo: reddit user seemebreakthis
You can tell they're there, but on the other hand, they're not easily noticeable. Google Maps will likely get more refinements before the broad availability is reached, possibly providing users with dedicated toggles to enable the 3D view.
It's impossible to tell who gets this feature and who doesn't, as Google is still in the experimental stage. Someone on reddit
they spotted the new design on CarPlay, too, so it doesn't seem to be limited to Android Auto for now.
Meanwhile, Google Maps is still under fire for the new color palette, whose rollout was completed a few weeks ago. The new colors were supposed to make Google Maps more readable, but they turned the navigation experience into a confusing mess, especially because the route is no longer clearly highlighted versus alternative routes.
Users have called for Google to bring the previous color scheme back to Google Maps, explaining that it can become a safety issue, especially when driving at night. However, the company keeps ignoring these requests, hoping everybody will eventually get used to the new interface.
It's too early to tell when the 3D buildings will land on Android Auto for all users, but the interface update doesn't seem tied to a specific update but is powered by a server-side switch.
Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones. Full profile
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