The following time you load Google Maps in your iPhone or Android system, you would possibly discover one thing uncommon. It’ll look completely different than what you’re used to. It may not occur quickly, however the change is coming.
Some folks would possibly discover that Google Maps now resembles Apple Maps in the case of shade selections. That’s as a result of Google gave its primary navigation app a giant design makeover, one which we knew was coming. Google Maps will now replicate your environment extra precisely. That’s the aim of the brand new shade selections throughout the app.
However that’s not the one change Google introduced on Thursday. Google Maps is getting much more AI options. Some are anticipated upgrades, like Immersive View for routes. Others are model new, like assist for utilizing Maps as a kind of Google Search alternative to seek out no matter you may be on the lookout for round you.
What’s the take care of the brand new Google Maps colours?
One iconic Google Maps shade selection is the yellow Google makes use of for roads. They stand out higher that method. However that’s altering within the close to future. The yellow goes away, which can be fairly jarring to longtime customers. As a substitute, you’re going to get shades of grey. That is much like what you might need skilled in Apple Maps if you happen to use Apple’s Maps various on iPhone or the online.
Different shade shades may also change, and it’s all a part of Google’s want that can assist you higher perceive your environment. Along with the colour modifications, you’ll see extra life like buildings. Additionally, freeway exits can be improved so that you higher perceive what number of lanes it is advisable cross to get to your exit.
The Google Maps redesign gained’t be obtainable worldwide, no less than not at first. It’ll begin rolling out in 12 markets within the US, Canada, France, and Germany within the coming months.
Within the US, Google Maps may also inform you if there are HOV lanes. In Europe, Google will depend on AI to broaden velocity restrict info to twenty international locations. These options can be obtainable on iPhone and Android.
Extra AI in Google Maps
It’s not simply the brand new shade palette that may aid you perceive your environment higher in Google Maps. Search with Reside View is one other characteristic that may allow you to get round whereas discovering new neighborhoods on foot. It’s now known as Lens in Maps and makes use of AI in addition to augmented actuality (AR) to supply details about close by factors of curiosity.
Faucet the Lens icon, increase the telephone, and the digicam will do every thing else for you.
Moreover, Immersive View for routes is lastly rolling out. Introduced at I/O 2023, the characteristic makes use of AI to give you a greater have a look at your deliberate journey that requires Google Maps navigation:
Say you need to bike alongside the water to the Palace of Advantageous Arts in San Francisco. Simply request biking instructions, then faucet the Immersive View preview to see your route in a surprising, multidimensional view from begin to end. You may put together for every flip as if you happen to have been there with detailed, visible turn-by-turn instructions, and use the time slider to plan when to go out based mostly on useful info, like simulated visitors and climate situations. That method, you’ll be able to simply keep away from driving throughout wet climate or heavy visitors.
The characteristic is rolling out in varied cities world wide and can be obtainable on iPhone and Android.
Google Maps turns into… Google Search?
Possibly the largest AI replace Google introduced on Thursday considerations the general Google Maps expertise. Google desires you to seek for something within the app. Like on the lookout for “animal latte artwork” or “pumpkin patch with my canine.” These are examples that Google really provides.
Google will then give you photo-first outcomes of what you’re trying to find. Google Maps makes use of AI and superior picture recognition fashions to scan the billions of images customers add to Maps. Tapping a photograph will allow you to navigate to the situation the place it was taken.
The improved search in Google Maps characteristic will roll out this week within the US, UK, France, Germany, and Japan.
The corporate additionally desires you that can assist you uncover issues to do round you with the brand new Google Maps characteristic:
So if you happen to’re in Tokyo, you may seek for “issues to do” to see thematic place ideas like “anime,” “cherry blossoms,” or “artwork exhibitions.” Faucet on the locations that curiosity you to be taught extra, and even save the choices to a listing if you wish to test them out later.
Google additionally plans to prepare the outcomes higher to “spark your creativeness.” The thematic outcomes for actions and eating will roll out globally within the coming weeks.
Higher EV charging info
Rolling out this week globally is one other helpful Google Maps characteristic that electrical automobile homeowners ought to admire. The iPhone and Android app will provide much more details about EV chargers. The app will inform you if a charger is practical and the charging velocity it will probably provide. That method, it’s best to waste much less time trying to find the precise charger, and scale back the chance of working into items that aren’t operational.
