Google Maps developers yesterday introduced some visual changes and subtle navigation aids for both desktop and iOS that aim to make it easier for users to explore the world around them.

Google Maps
The most immediately obvious visual changes include the removal of road outlines to make traffic and transit routes easier to delineate, as well as clearer typography for street names, points of interest, transit stations, and so on, making them more distinguishable.


Another, less obvious but significant change is the way Google Maps represents high density areas of interest – restaurants, bars, shops, and so on – which now appear as orange shaded hotspots on the map. As the video above demonstrates, zooming into an orange area brings more details into focus, allowing users to tap them for more information.

Google Maps color schemeThe new Maps also gains a more subtle and balanced color scheme to help users differentiate between man-made and natural topographic features, as well as identify places like hospitals, schools and highways more easily.

Google Maps is a free download for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

Sandstorm Avatar
87 months ago
I like the new design. And either way - everything Google Maps offers is still LIGHT YEARS ahead of the Apple Maps.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Northgrove Avatar
87 months ago
Looking... hmm, OK. With reservations for how this looks in daylight.

At first glance I thought they had just lowered contrast by brightening everything and bringing earlier bold colors to be more pastel like, which would be a bad thing since low contrast sucks especially in daylight.

However, due to how ridiculously poor contrast streets already were (mid grey with a hint of warmth against a little bit darker grey), I think the new style (light grey against white) is slightly better although clearly not perfect if in broad daylight.

The highway above is now more pastel like which I don't think matters too much because it still clearly stands out thanks to its deviating color. This also helps bring attention to route numbers and the district names that are all given better attention.

Still, this is one pastel like map. It seems like Google is shooting for a 50/50 split between style and usability. I'd prefer a bolder move there, 30/70? These maps are, after all, heavily used outdoors and then bright pastel colors are far from optimal.

Another idea is if Google Maps (and Apple Maps?) would have a switch to enable bolder colors. That would help a lot sometimes. Here's an example from the Swedish Eniro service which I think has a map much more tuned towards actual use: http://i.imgur.com/FhYn5ov.jpg (sorry for JPG on what should have been a PNG; Imgur is being stupid)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Scrip Avatar
87 months ago
Hmmmm... I like the larger, more prominent names... but I'm not a fan of the lightening of the major highways.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Aston441 Avatar
87 months ago
Looking... hmm, OK. With reservations for how this looks in daylight.

At first glance I thought they had just lowered contrast by brightening everything and bringing earlier bold colors to be more pastel like, which would be a bad thing since low contrast sucks especially in daylight.

However, due to how ridiculously poor contrast streets already were (mid grey with a hint of warmth against a little bit darker grey), I think the new style (light grey against white) is slightly better although clearly not perfect if in broad daylight.

The highway above is now more pastel like which I don't think matters too much because it still clearly stands out thanks to its deviating color. This also helps bring attention to route numbers and the district names that are all given better attention.

Still, this is one pastel like map. It seems like Google is shooting for a 50/50 split between style and usability. I'd prefer a bolder move there, 30/70? These maps are, after all, heavily used outdoors and then bright pastel colors are far from optimal.

Another idea is if Google Maps (and Apple Maps?) would have a switch to enable bolder colors. That would help a lot sometimes. Here's an example from the Swedish Eniro service which I think has a map much more tuned towards actual use: http://i.imgur.com/FhYn5ov.jpg (sorry for JPG on what should have been a PNG; Imgur is being stupid)
Agree 100%


Back in the day I used a custom color scheme with my TomTom that was similar to the Swedish one you linked too.

Contrast and usability should always trump style, especially at 80mph.

I guarantee a color scheme like GMap's latest would never be installed in an F-35.
[doublepost=1469533382][/doublepost]
I don't care about Google Maps because I don't use them but I will reply because some comments here are about Apple Maps.


Readability issue should be solved with hardware. Screen should be bright enough to work on the sunlight. Apple moves toward this goal. Compare iPhone 6 and 5.
I don't think different contrast would perform better on the sunlight. When you are using bad screen, like Nintendo 3DS for example, it is impossible to see what's on it, no matter what game are you playing.


Bad idea. Adding a switch is easy but it is bloating UI, makes it more dangerous because you now need to think about this switch and you need to manage it. It also makes it more complicated and most people will don't understand it. I saw people having troubles navigation because the've been using car navigation when walking. Adding one more switch will not make things better.


This Swedish map makes me want to puke. I am using maps almost every day and if I would have to use this, I would become depressed in a week. Design is not just for prettiness, it affects our mood and perception.
Dear Lord what is going on with our millennials?

Depressed? Mood?

Holy...

Dude at 80mph I don't give a flying about your mood. I'm trying to navigate safely at high speed. Shove your feels.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sshambles Avatar
87 months ago
I always thought Apple Maps looked a little out of place at first (with its colour tones), but now Google Maps have just done exactly that too. Makes sense, but still.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
urtules Avatar
87 months ago
I don't care about Google Maps because I don't use them but I will reply because some comments here are about Apple Maps.

Increasing colour contrast to make map more readable...
Readability issue should be solved with hardware. Screen should be bright enough to work on the sunlight. Apple moves toward this goal. Compare iPhone 6 and 5.
I don't think different contrast would perform better on the sunlight. When you are using bad screen, like Nintendo 3DS for example, it is impossible to see what's on it, no matter what game are you playing.

Another idea is if Google Maps (and Apple Maps?) would have a switch to enable bolder colors.
Bad idea. Adding a switch is easy but it is bloating UI, makes it more dangerous because you now need to think about this switch and you need to manage it. It also makes it more complicated and most people will don't understand it. I saw people having troubles navigation because the've been using car navigation when walking. Adding one more switch will not make things better.

Here's an example from the Swedish Eniro service which I think has a map much more tuned towards actual use: http://i.imgur.com/FhYn5ov.jpg
This Swedish map makes me want to puke. I am using maps almost every day and if I would have to use this, I would become depressed in a week. Design is not just for prettiness, it affects our mood and perception.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 16

iOS 16.4 for iPhone Nearing Launch With These 5 New Features

Monday March 20, 2023 11:50 am PDT by
Apple says iOS 16.4 is coming in the spring, which began this week. In his Sunday newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the update should be released "in the next three weeks or so," meaning a public release is likely in late March or early April. iOS 16.4 remains in beta testing and introduces a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone. Below, we have recapped five new features ...
apple park at night 1

Apple 'Tracking Employee Attendance' in Crackdown on Remote Working

Thursday March 23, 2023 3:41 am PDT by
Apple is tracking the attendance of its employees at offices using badge records in order to ensure they are coming in at least three times a week, according to Platformer's Zoë Schiffer. Since April 2022, Apple employees have been operating on a hybrid home/office work policy as part of a gradual return strategy following the pandemic, with staff required to work from the office at least...
iphone 14 pro max deep purple feature purple

iPhone 15 Pro Rumor Recap: 10 New Features and Changes to Expect

Thursday March 23, 2023 6:42 am PDT by
While the iPhone 15 series is still around six months away from launching, there have already been plenty of rumors about the devices. Many new features and changes have been rumored for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max in particular. Below, we have recapped 10 changes rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models that are not expected to be available on the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus:A1...
dynamic island

iPhone 15 Dynamic Island to Include New Integrated Proximity Sensor

Friday March 24, 2023 12:27 am PDT by
This year, all iPhone 15 models will include Apple's Dynamic Island that unifies the pill and hole cutouts at the top of the display, but there will also be a material change to the feature that wasn't included in the iPhone 14 Pro models. According to a new tweet by Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the proximity sensor on the iPhone 15 series will be integrated inside the Dynamic Island ...
maxresdefault

Nothing Launches $149 Ear (2) Wireless Earbuds to Compete With AirPods Pro 2

Wednesday March 22, 2023 9:48 am PDT by
Nothing today announced the launch of its second-generation wireless earbuds, the Nothing Ear (2), which offer many of the same features as Apple's AirPods Pro 2 at a lower price point. We went hands-on with the Ear (2) earbuds to see whether they're a viable alternative to the AirPods Pro 2 for those who want to save some cash. The Ear (2) earbuds are the successor to the Nothing Ear (1),...
voice isolation

iOS 16.4 Adds Voice Isolation for Cellular Phone Calls

Tuesday March 21, 2023 11:01 am PDT by
The iOS 16.4 update that is set to be released to the public in the near future includes voice isolation for cellular calls, according to notes that Apple shared today. Apple says that Voice Isolation will prioritize your voice and block out the ambient noise around you, making for clearer phone calls where you can better hear the person you're chatting with and vice versa. Voice...
TMobile Sprint

Apple Stops Allowing Sprint iPhone Activations, Removes Sprint References From Online Store

Thursday March 23, 2023 12:06 pm PDT by
Apple is no longer allowing customers who purchase an iPhone, cellular iPad, or Apple Watch to activate a device with now-defunct mobile carrier Sprint. Apple has also removed remaining references to Sprint from its online store. When checking out with a new purchase, Sprint is no longer an option for connectivity, a change that Apple appears to have implemented today. Prior to now, Sprint...
airpodsd 3 purple 4

iOS 16.4 Seemingly References New AirPods and AirPods Case

Tuesday March 21, 2023 11:43 am PDT by
The iOS 16.4 release candidate version that was provided to developers today appears to hint at a new set of AirPods that could be coming in the near future. According to @aaronp613, the beta features references to AirPods that have a model number of A3048 and an AirPods case with a model number of A2968. There have been no rumors that new AirPods are on the horizon, and it is early for...