I’m a longtime Google Maps person, 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 are able to simply adapt to app person interfaces, and we do it rapidly even when the modifications appear scary.
What I don’t like is how I consistently 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 overlook what I used to be on the lookout for.
That’s much more annoying should you’re coping with a model new metropolis that it’s a must to navigate to get to a selected vacation spot rapidly. I don’t even wish to suppose how troublesome it should be to navigate Google Maps should you’re a much less tech-savvy person.
A number of months in the past, Google gave us a short have a look at what the brand new Google Maps UI could possibly be. The app would possibly get rid of full-screen menus and supply extra contextual details about the place you might be on the map. It might additionally present extra of the map slightly than muddle the navigation panel with different UI parts.
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 an alternative, 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 check in February, 9to5Google says Google pulled it from Android gadgets after just a few weeks. However Google is now again with the same Google Maps design check that builds on the earlier model. The complete-screen data sheets at the moment are changed with panels which have rounded corners and don’t take up the whole 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 deal with the map.
Talking of the maps, when the data sheets are minimized, you see extra of the map and any navigation solutions you may need. That’s a fantastic 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 search out shops, locations to eat, inns, 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 so much simpler.
As at all times with unreleased Google Maps options, nothing is closing for now. Google remains to be testing the redesign, and the brand new UI is barely 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 person, I don’t have entry to any of that.
Nevertheless, 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 carefully by following this hyperlink, as 9to5Google captured loads of screenshots highlighting the modifications.
