Google Maps gets an important design change, here’s what’s new - Times of India (2024)

Google Maps now includes a weather conditions feature that shows the current temperature, weather icon, and Air Quality Index. It also provides insights about impending weather phenomena as users navigate the map. The feature keeps users informed about weather conditions while traveling.

interface

and

user experience

. The most notable shift involves ditching fullscreen UIs in favour of a more streamlined approach, aiming for better information accessibility and less clutter.
Gone are the days of tapping a place and being enveloped by a fullscreen information sheet.

Now, tapping reveals a smaller sheet that sits atop a sliver of the map background. This retains context while offering quick access to key details like close and share buttons.
Another big change is in the whole

directions search

experience on Google Maps. The once fullscreen search bar is now trimmed down, focusing solely on address input. The carousel of transportation options has been relocated to the bottom, improving reachability on mobile devices. Swiping up on this section reveals additional options, but it no longer takes over the entire screen.
These changes aim to make Google Maps feel less cluttered and more intuitive, especially on smaller screens. The streamlined layout is also expected to improve one-handed usability on mobile devices.

The redesign is currently rolling out gradually, with some Android users (version 11.113.x) experiencing it first. An iOS rollout is expected to follow soon.
Weather conditions come to Google Maps
Meanwhile, Google Maps users may notice a new addition nestled in the top-left corner of their screens, right below the search bar and place filters. This latest feature is a small rectangular box that defaults to displaying the current temperature along with an icon representing the weather conditions and the Air Quality Index (AQI). Moreover, it offers insights about impending weather phenomena like rain or snow, specifying the expected timing.
As users navigate across the map, the information within the box updates accordingly, ensuring that individuals stay informed about the weather conditions no matter where they are travelling.