One of Google’s most used applications is undoubtedly Google Maps. Whether we use it on our mobile phone or in the car via Android Auto, it is one of those essential applications that all Android users should have (even if they don’t have Android). Therefore, every slight change made to the application can affect millions of people, such as the controversial change in map colors that many people are still getting used to.
It won’t be that hard to adapt to the latest changes to Google Maps; in fact, it seems that this time, Google has learned that sometimes, no need to reinvent the wheel. This means that the new features of the Google Maps interface that are already starting to reach all users are not revolutionary; but the vast majority of users did not ask for this revolution, so they will probably be better received.
On this occasion, Google’s priority was on never lose sight of the map. In the current Google Maps application, every time we click on a location or open a menu, it takes up a good part of the screen; sometimes it even takes up the entire screen, for example when we want to see the data of a specific location. Google believes that this can be confusing, so they have redesigned the application to give greater importance to the map.
This translates to new menus and pop-ups that take up less space on the map, as shown in screenshots obtained by 9to5Google. For example, the full screen view with all location data is gone, and has been replaced by a popup window. The effect is very similar, since this pop-up window occupies almost the entire screen; but it does not take up everything, and the map will always be visible at the top, allowing us to return to it with a simple touch.
Similarly, pop-ups now take up less space on Google Maps; those that used to take up half the screen now take up about a third, and the smallest ones now only take up a bottom bar on the screen.
New Google Maps design
Free Android
To take up even less space, popups now have rounded edgeswhich gives them a larger appearance of “cards” floating above the map. This way, the map will always take up more space than before and in many cases we will not lose sight of the place we are looking for when we click on a location.
New Google Maps design
Free Android
Another big change in Google Maps is the search for addresses and directions. Until now, when we search for a location to start a route, the upper part of the left screen occupied by the origin and destination selector and the buttons to change the transport method, with the lower part with an emerging window showing the data of the road.
With the new design, origin and destination now float above the maptaking up less space and again, giving more importance to the map. The buttons to choose the mode of transport are now at the bottom
