[News] Previewing the upcoming Google Maps
Google has decided it will add a cleaner interface to its popular Maps product, while also adding a new level of personalisation to it, so expect a big renovation for the next version of Google Maps. It has already begun a limited rollout started this week.
It seems that this big update is being focused on each individual’s personality, so if it knows you are going to a frequent restaurant, it will add that specific restaurant as a landmark for you, if you are logged in to the service, and will also highlight the roads that approach that landmark.
Every map adjusts itself for different people, so someone else on another computer may not see a landmark marked in your map, that you see, so again, it’s all about personalisation.
The famous pins that used to mark the locations of your searches are now rare in the upcoming Maps update. Instead they are replaced by different icons for different types of categories.
The Public Transport data has also been upgraded and will now report a whole week of schedule instead of just the next few services.
If you are a meteorologist or just love gazing up into the clouds, then the new view of Earth in Google Maps now include real-time cloud cover from weather satellites. So if you have nothing to do, and want to waste a bit of time, then cloud-gazing on Google Maps isn’t such a bad idea if you want to see if there will be a storm coming!
Aside from the Google Maps web service, Android will also be getting an updated version of the mapping application soon, but it will not be as big of an update as the web one. But it will get a new user interface and a better search system for local businesses.
Searching for restaurants will work the same way as before but now users are able to choose to view each restaurants reviews either from friends, other Android users or from a local review site.
Users wishing to access the new web version of Google Maps can get an invite to the product by signing up at http://maps.google.com/preview. It has already begun sending out invitations so make sure you sign up to also get a sneak-peak preview of the new Maps product if you’re lucky!
For more information please view this short clip on the next version of Google Maps down below:
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