Google continues to modernize the Maps interface. And after color changes, the mapping and navigation app is entitled to several discreet but welcome improvements, particularly in terms of route search.
For many of us, Google Maps has become a faithful companion when traveling, but also in everyday life. Whether it’s to get to an appointment, check the travel time or simply find a nice little restaurant where you can have lunch, the Mountain View firm’s mapping service is always there, faithful to the post. Also, small changes often have a big impact on its users. Lately, Google has made efforts to rework its interface, notably by adopting new colors for its maps – which is far from pleasing everyone –, adding a 3D view during navigation and displaying the weather different places (see our article). But other significant changes are coming, including to route search, as noted 9to5google.
New Google Maps interface: lighter and more intuitive
First, if you tap anywhere, a new card appears with close and share buttons in the upper right corner – a minor addition that might almost go unnoticed. Its edges are more rounded, with a little overprint effect, and the map remains visible in the background. The location files are therefore no longer displayed in full screen, which precisely reinforces this “file” aspect, making navigation more pleasant and more intuitive.
The biggest change in Google Maps concerns the route search. The interface for entering departure and arrival addresses no longer extends over the entire upper part of the screen, but takes the form of a pop-up window, superimposed, with rounded edges. Here again, this lightens the rendering and strengthens the mapping side of the application. As for the carousel presenting the different means of transport (car, public transport, on foot, bicycle, etc.), it no longer occupies the entire screen, but takes the form of a superimposed sheet to be deployed upwards.
All these changes bring a more than welcome touch of modernity and make navigation a little easier. You will be able to benefit from it thanks to update 11.113.x of the application for Android, which is currently being deployed gradually – the new version should not take too long on iOS.