Update: The new Google Maps app is now available on the App Store.
Google announced an update for its Google Maps for iOS app today that adds a fresh new Material Design layout focusing on bright colors and real world surfaces and shadows. The software’s refreshed interface is set to roll out over the next few days, with new features like dinner reservations from OpenTable (US only) and enhanced information cards with photos and reviews of popular attractions near your location.
In addition to driving, walking and public transit directions, Google Maps now has support for Uber pickup times and fares. However, this new feature will only be accessible if you already have an Uber app installed on your device and the company’s transportation service is available in your location.
Lastly, if you’re feeling adventurous, Google’s Explore option is anchored at the bottom of your map for fast access nearby local hot spots. So don’t be afraid to venture out when in new surroundings.
Google Maps for iOS is available for free on the App Store.
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Awesome, I can’t wait to try it out.
Has the icon finally been flattened?????
Still calling it ‘google maps’ rather than ‘google adverts’
Looking at your images, I can’t actually see a map.
Seriously, that is a problem with google maps: it started great but has steadily gone downhill in terms of less and less map being visible under all the text and ads.
Oh, I just fired up Waze for the first time in about a year. What an amazing disappointment too. At one time Waze was awesome with just a couple ads. Now it is simply insane and unusable. Shocking and disappointing. I guess that’s the risk of Google as they travel down their 20 year path of turning into Alta Vista.
There are literally no ads that cover the map. I don’t know what maps app you are using, but it definitely isn’t Google Maps.
???
You never ever used Google Maps?
There’s no ads on Google Maps. What the heII are your talking about?
When is the update going to be out?
As much as it pains me to say things are looking a lot better with the new Material Design finally everything is more unified and cohesive. Makes my next phone purchase alot more interesting…
Still don’t know why anyone would use Google Maps for directions – they’re abysmal. I regularly compare them against TomTom and Google is 100% fail 100% of the time.
such a shameless lie. google maps has been my savior since iPhone 4s. stop spreading the hate, maps are one of the things google is king in. apple maps are cool and prettier, but have no POIs whatsoever so they are useless.
LIES!!!
They should be designing iOS apps to look and work like iOS apps, not porting the whole Android UX.
Dear Google developers for the iOS platform,
Please respect the design guidelines for iOS applications. Please avoid ‘side-menus’ and ‘pull-up panels’. Remember that with small screen estate, the actual content (exactly one of the following: the map, a list of entities when searching, the details about a selected entity, the possible paths to a location …) should fill as much of the screen. One navigation bar and one toolbar (in any colour and transparency level) is all an app can afford, and even then, try to hide them when not necessary (like Safari does).
Most importantly, don’t try to reinvent a user interface paradigm for iOS when Apple designed one for its users. Changing from one method of operation to another when switching apps has a cognitive switching penalty, something which users on the go can’t afford. Be more consistent; try to differentiate with actual features, colours, and minor design changes.
Not respecting the guidelines for the platform you’re developing for can be an unnatural, inconsistent, and—frankly—alienating experience for its users. Games are probably the only kinds of apps that can afford changing the user experience around, since they aren’t tools and require engagement anyway—assuming that it is accompanied with a great tutorial (esp. with gestures).
A hint: if you’re barely using Apple-provided views and view controllers, and if you have “mini-tutorials” in your mobile app, you’re probably “doing it wrong.”
Thanks,
some very opiniated iOS and Google user.
P.S.: This column is also meant for so many apps on the App Store that weren’t exactly designed with mobility in mind. I’m looking at you, Twitter client with your inconsistent, horizontally scrollable UI.
P.P.S.: If you’re an Android developer, follow the Android design guidelines (I assume Google has such things) for the same reasons. My rant isn’t iOS-only.
Apple approved but you are bitching about it? kkkkkkkkkkkkkk
Luckily Apple approved it. If Apple were to disapprove an app for trivial issues (like inconsistent design), that wouldn’t feel right either. Apple should disapprove apps that are unsafe, really confusing, or really affect the user experience.
My comment is more like a plea to developers (not only Google) to make their oh so handy apps even better by doing less.
Another designed for Android and not for iOS application by Google. What a joke. ‘Do as We Say, Not as We Do’ Developing UX, you should care about users first and follow the design guidelines of each platform.
How many Apple apps are designed for Android?
At least Google Maps and YouTube. :-p
I’ll stick with Apple Maps. I personally haven’t had any problems with Apple Maps. Plus I haven’t had a Google account in just over a year now. I wasn’t very happy being forced into the Google+ experience. And when I saw Google Now being forced upon everyone as well I called it quits. Looks like I was right. Google Now is taking over all Google products including the UI. No thanks.
What is this “Material Design” they keep talking about? Is ‘blue’ supposed to be a material?
Didn’t know so many people have the Google Maps app installed. I don’t, and can’t remember the last time I used their Maps on the web.
I have an iphone6, updated to IOS 8.1. I have both Google Maps and Uber installed and updated. Yet, when I go to Google Maps, there is no connection to Uber. How can I get this connection?
Anyone having issues with the turn-by-turn navigation for bike routes not recalculating routes if you go the wrong way?