Google Maps for Android Receives Update Featuring Bottom Sheets, Moving Away from Full-Screen Results Display.
Google Maps for Android has reportedly received an important quality-of-life update, which will make it much easier to navigate through parts of the interface. According to a report, Google has reworked how the user interface (UI) while searching for directions is displayed in the app, ditching the full-screen in favour of a bottom sliding sheet layout. Additionally, Google Maps has also made upgrades to the Location interface which pops up when a user clicks on a landmark site for more information about it. It is not certain whether the redesign will be rolled out to users on iOS.
The new interface was spotted by 9to5Google, and screenshots shared by the publication show the redesigned Google Maps UI. According to the report, the directions search result page received the most significant upgrade. Earlier, the top of the page was filled with search fields and transportation options from edge to edge , while the bottom would show the estimated travel time along with buttons for Preview, Steps, and Pin.
In the new interface, the search fields are no longer connected to the edge and instead are placed centrally in a rectangular box with curved edges. The top of the screen and the sides still show the map. The transportation options have also been shifted to the bottom, which has adopted a sheet layout with a background sheet. Further, clicking on a particular transport mode does not open it in full-screen mode anymore, and instead only extends a bottom sheet with the map still visible in the background.
This new layout offers a less cluttered and more immersive experience. The elimination of the full-screen transport selection window allows users to seamlessly switch between different options and observe changes in the map simultaneously. These updates align with the Material Design 3 guidelines, emphasizing the use of bottom sheets in apps.
Additionally, interface adjustments have been made to the Location and Places section, according to reports. Tapping on any location in the Google Maps Android app now reveals a similar sheet layout that isn’t full screen, allowing a portion of the map to remain visible. This not only enhances immersion but also provides contextual information. The updated Location sheet includes Share and Close buttons.
Earlier this week, Google Maps introduced another significant enhancement to its Android app with the wider rollout of a weather forecast overlay feature. This feature displays current weather conditions and air quality index (AQI) within a small box in the left corner of the map browser. While iOS users have had access to this feature for several years, the Android implementation offers a more simplified layout.