Google Maps gets a new icon and another paint job on its 15th birthday

· 1 min read
Google Maps gets a new icon and another paint job on its 15th birthday

Wow, it's been 15 years since the launch of Google Maps! And, as a celebratory action, Google has updated the Android and iOS apps with many user interface improvements and so much more.

To begin with, the new build ships with a brand new colorful yet simple icon. Google says that its design was based around the pin as a symbol of getting users to their desired destinations around the world.

Further changes have been made to the bottom tab bar, which now houses exactly five options - three in my instance, I guess, because of where I live. To briefly list them all: Explore, Commute, Saved, Contribute, and Updates. The especially new one here is the latter, which serves users with currently trending places and other contributed recommendations.

Another slew of changes to be had in the coming months is going be to the AR-based Live View feature. More precisely, Live View is initially set to pick up experimental capabilities from the likes of improved assistance when searching for places - you will be able to see exactly how far and in which direction a place is.

Those are all very much welcome changes, but dark mode is still nowhere to be seen.

Source: Google