• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

New Google Maps! Get it NAO!

S

Suspicious-Teach8788

Lifer
http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/0...interface-refresh-functionality-enhancements/

Here ya go! What's interesting is the new route overview where it shows the map and the route line looks awfully like iOS maps. I think it's the beveled edge Google added to the blue route line instead of the flat line from before... That was my first observation.

Anyway, overall it looks like we're moving to the new Google Maps look. The look of the new Google Maps isn't necessarily better, but it seems the biggest difference is the highways are more orange. Seems to stand out a bit better? Haha.
 
If it takes design cues from Apple's Maps app then I'm all for it. IMO, Apple's Maps App is superior to Google Maps, if we're just discussing the interface.
 
I'm liking it so far, it's very close to the iOS version of maps. The only thing I don't like is that you can't tap your location to see accuracy anymore.
 
It definitely has more of an iOS look, which I'm not happy about. The previous design was superior to iOS in every way. If anything, it seems to me that the roads/traffic/navigation/etc. lines are less clear than they were before (which was a complaint of mine with iOS maps).

I guess we'll see if any of the new functionality grows on me.
 
rcpratt said:
It definitely has more of an iOS look, which I'm not happy about. The previous design was superior to iOS in every way. If anything, it seems to me that the roads/traffic/navigation/etc. lines are less clear than they were before (which was a complaint of mine with iOS maps).

I guess we'll see if any of the new functionality grows on me.
Click to expand...

New Google Maps for Android is more in line with Google Maps beta for web than the iOS version in terms of how the actual tiles look. They are adaptive to what you are searching emphasizing some roads over others (for example, when looking at directions from your home to a mall, it will reduce emphasis on residential side streets by dimming them).
 
New maps runs a bit slower than the old maps, unsurprisingly. Probably not an issue on faster devices.
 
So I like the description and how it says that dynamic traffic rerouting will be used. I think they always had this capability, but I wonder why they're finally doing this now. Probably a Waze thing.
 
DLeRium said:
So I like the description and how it says that dynamic traffic rerouting will be used. I think they always had this capability, but I wonder why they're finally doing this now. Probably a Waze thing.
Click to expand...

pretty sure gmaps nav has done it for a while, it just never notified you in any way.

edit: i miss labs. i used measure all the time.
 
vshah said:
pretty sure gmaps nav has done it for a while, it just never notified you in any way.

edit: i miss labs. i used measure all the time.
Click to expand...

I've done comparisons with Waze. Granted this was back in Jan/Feb when I had to rush to the airport several times, but Maps would tell me to go the stupid way straight down the highway, but Waze would promise me 15 minutes savings by exiting to local roads.
 
Does it finally let you drag the route to go through a particular location like you can do on the web? Tired of not being able to force the route I want without having it recalculate (assuming I have data connection to do so, which is far from a given in my area
 
DLeRium said:
I've done comparisons with Waze. Granted this was back in Jan/Feb when I had to rush to the airport several times, but Maps would tell me to go the stupid way straight down the highway, but Waze would promise me 15 minutes savings by exiting to local roads.
Click to expand...

heh. didn't say it did it well :awe:
 
Hmm the text labels on it appear mirrored horizontal. When I tilt, it goes the wrong way. Looks like they may have accidently put the camera under ground.
 
Typical Google:

(From Reddit)

Still want my measure tool back from labs.

and for my menu button to open the menus.

and streetview in navigation.

and a way to manage cached maps.

but it's a start, and a sign they're listening. =)

EDIT: and for my search button to open search!
Click to expand...
 
WelshBloke said:
Have they killed off line maps with this update?
Click to expand...

YES. I didn't update, but I've read the recent articles about it. Never going to update until they bring offline maps back.

Offline maps made it extremely easy for me to go on vacations out of the country. I don't need to get data plan. I just use GPS and offline maps and wifi when at hotel.

There is still a offline maps option hidden in the latest version, but it seems likes it is very limiting and not as easy to use.
 
aceO07 said:
YES. I didn't update, but I've read the recent articles about it. Never going to update until they bring offline maps back.

Offline maps made it extremely easy for me to go on vacations out of the country. I don't need to get data plan. I just use GPS and offline maps and wifi when at hotel.

There is still a offline maps option hidden in the latest version, but it seems likes it is very limiting and not as easy to use.
Click to expand...

Its. The Exact. Same. Thing.

You type "ok maps" and it caches the area your screen is on.
 
NikolaeVarius said:
Its. The Exact. Same. Thing.
Click to expand...

I don't think that it is. With the old offline maps I could download 5 or so large areas. With the new version you are limited to 1 smaller area aren't you?

Saying that the old offline maps was pretty flaky for me, it always seems to lose the map data for some reason. It was never a great alternative to a proper off line gps mapping app.
 
thecapsaicinkid said:
I don't supposed they've fixed it so Navigation will calculate a route without a connection?
Click to expand...

I doubt it. Google nav/maps isn't and never was an offline app. There were ways of mitigating the need to be online but they were always a bit sub par.
Hopefully Google will concentrate on making it the best online mapping experience and leave the offline stuff to a different app.
 
WelshBloke said:
I doubt it. Google nav/maps isn't and never was an offline app. There were ways of mitigating the need to be online but they were always a bit sub par.
Hopefully Google will concentrate on making it the best online mapping experience and leave the offline stuff to a different app.
Click to expand...

the biggest obstacle is that route calculation has always happened on google's servers. they'd need to port that process to the phones. technically there's nothing that would allow them not to do it. i hope they do some day, but as you say it's not a priority for them or me due to other offline nav apps being available.
 
Sweet baby Jebus, I thought my Nexus 4 ran hot with Nav open before, Now it seems quiet a bit hotter. I had my phone plugged into my car charger and was driving with a Nav going, it shut down after about 60 seconds, anyone else having this problem? Before I could get 4-5 minutes depending on how warm it was outside and what the temp was inside of my car.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top