Photo: XDA
Despite the massive map data update that it received last year, many believe Google Maps looks outdated, as the mobile UI features a design that’s been around for too long.
And the Mountain View-based parent company seems to know this too, so it has apparently started working on a subtle overhaul to provide users with a more modern interface for some key features.
One of the first sections of Google Maps to get a visual refresh is the route selection screen. As you can see in the screenshot in the article, said feature is evolving with a more modern approach that eats less space on the screen and aligns with other elements of the app, including the search box on the home screen.
The floating panel at the top of the screen replaces the old-school layout eating an important part of UI while selecting a traveling mode is now possible with a pull-out list displayed at the bottom. In other words, these options now show up when you need them, so otherwise, the focus is on the actual map, thus providing you with the essential information in a more straightforward manner.
For the time being, this important update is only available for a small set of users, so it’s believed it’s still in its early days, and it’ll take a while until Google starts beta testing it on more devices. There’s nothing you can do to try it out today, as it’s all powered by a server-side switch that Google activates as it continues improving the feature.
In addition, only Android devices are getting the new design, but for consistency, there’s a good chance that sooner or later, Google brings this Google Maps update to all mobile devices out there.
We don’t have an ETA as to when the new visual overhaul could go live for everybody, but given the public testing phase has already started, expect it to launch later this year.
One of the first sections of Google Maps to get a visual refresh is the route selection screen. As you can see in the screenshot in the article, said feature is evolving with a more modern approach that eats less space on the screen and aligns with other elements of the app, including the search box on the home screen.
The floating panel at the top of the screen replaces the old-school layout eating an important part of UI while selecting a traveling mode is now possible with a pull-out list displayed at the bottom. In other words, these options now show up when you need them, so otherwise, the focus is on the actual map, thus providing you with the essential information in a more straightforward manner.
For the time being, this important update is only available for a small set of users, so it’s believed it’s still in its early days, and it’ll take a while until Google starts beta testing it on more devices. There’s nothing you can do to try it out today, as it’s all powered by a server-side switch that Google activates as it continues improving the feature.
In addition, only Android devices are getting the new design, but for consistency, there’s a good chance that sooner or later, Google brings this Google Maps update to all mobile devices out there.
We don’t have an ETA as to when the new visual overhaul could go live for everybody, but given the public testing phase has already started, expect it to launch later this year.
Google News