Google Maps' appearance takes new direction

Google is notoriously slow and calculating about changing it the user interface of its services.

In fact, Google hasn't made any major changes to the look and feel of Google Maps since its launch in 2005.

On Friday, the company launched several refinements to Maps--the biggest changes to its look since launch. While you might not notice these changes immediately--unless you are a hardcore Google Maps user--they are designed to enhance the readability of the maps.

Notice how roads and names are called out more effectively in the new version.

(Credit: Google)

As seen above, the thick street outlines that can make maps harder to read have been eliminated.

Google describes the update here:

(L)ocal and arterial roads have been narrowed at medium zooms to improve legibility, and the overall colors have been optimized to be easier on the eye and conflict less with other things (such as traffic, transit lines and search results) that we overlay onto the map. Hybrid roads have gained a crisp outline to make them easier to follow, and the overall look is now closer to an augmented satellite view instead of a simple overlay.

Google Maps' comparison of London in the old and new views.

(Credit: Google)

[MyRightEye]

Actually I think the old way is much clearer.

[trentreviso]

To me, both of the OLD maps look much easier to read and navigate than the new ones.

Guess I'll have to resort to my GPS device a lot more, now.

[Super2online]

Google maps take a turn in the wrong direction - will users find themselves wondering where they are? Will we have a hard time staying between the lines, and avoiding the outlines? Who knows? Who cares? The answers to these questions and more, will be found the next time you look for your destination on Google Maps.

[KTLA_knew]

I prefer Bing maps over Google by WIDE margin, but Google's new rendering is definitely an improvement in readability over the old.

[t8]

Oh yeah those really big ads on Bing Maps are wonderful.

[farker1]

Google Maps is far superior. If I search "s 9th street philly" on Bing Maps, I get this:

There was more than one match for your location.
Location suggestions
1. S 9th St, Florala, AL 36442
2. S 9th St, Gadsden, AL 35901
3. S 9th St, Lanett, AL 36863
4. S 9th St, Opelika, AL 36801
5. S 9th St, Ashdown, AR 71822

Google Maps just takes me to South 9th Street, Philadelphia. Bing does not even suggest Philadelphia.

[BingItOn]

After 4 years they decided to change the color on the map. Good job!

[BingItOn]

I searched for 9th Street on Googl and I got this

E 9th St, New York, NY
W 9th St, New York, NY 10011
9th St, Kirkland, King, WA 98033
9th St, Cando, Towner, ND 58324
9th St, Booneville, Prentiss, MS 38829
9th St, Greeley, Weld, CO
9th St, Bavaria, Saline, KS 67401
9th St, Barron, WI
9th St, Priest River, Bonner, ID 83856
9th St, Woodward, OK 73801

Philadelphia is not even on the list. It went to Philadelphia straight away for you because it must be aware of your current location because you may be logged in Gmail or its cookies.

Bing showed me 5 choices for 9th street on the city I live (diff zip code, NE. SE etc).

So sorry you don't have any selling point here. Changing color on the MAP after 4 years is no bog deal.

[ddesy]

BingItOn,

The exact search was "s 9th street philly," and it worked perfectly for me. I'm nowhere near that location and have never searched for it before.

Bing fails at it because Bing just isn't that good.

[BingItOn]

-- Bing fails ???

If you want I can give you examples where Bing does a good job and goofle fails.

I think I understand your frustration, when I read the title I said Wow and then when I learned they changed the color on the map in 4 years and make it a big deal, I got depressed.

Personally I like Walking direction which on Google provides, beside that I stick with Bing.

[BingItOn]

Also look at the Birds Eye view of any location between both and judge for your self.

[BIGELLOW]

It's entertaining to watch adults throw temper tantrums on the Internet. It's what makes the Internet so great.

[sailinganfd]

How true.

[Qwavel]

Wow, the new maps are much worse then the old ones - they look faded and unclear.

[nikola99]

Anyone notice the new Real estate... option under More..? Has that been there for a while as well?

[VirtualDavid]

An important point missed: Google now displays parcel boundaries.

[mantrik00]

Of the two views shown here, the old maps view looks better: both from the point of view of clarity as well as eye friendliness.
I guess the new maps view, being less graphically rich, would render faster on devices.

[luke_marsh]

So who invented Google Earth then. I though that people would be interacting on a 3d representation of the Earth and the solar system when I first saw the Internet, my joy was to think that if I had children they would not be able to Ignore the Earth or allowed have a narrow perspectives of others. Here is a great case where its not the initial idea that's so important but man learning to develop and make use of the reality.

[luke_marsh]

Augmented reality used to give me nightmares does that mean I invented it.

[dineshtilva]

anybody know how can save VECTOR MAP from google map or any web pages? dinesh tilva at g mail dot com

[chrispix99]

Check out Collin County, it also shows the property lines for each parcel of property!
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&source=hp&q=plano,+tx&ie=UTF8&gl=us&ei=6pflSo-3MM6e8AaYyemHBw&ved=0CBUQ8gEwAA&hq=&hnear=Plano,+Collin,+Texas&ll=33.040849,-96.733224&spn=0.012591,0.016243&z=16

[ddesy]

Unlike a lot of people here, I can definitely see how the maps look clearer for the zoom level. At this type of zoom level, you don't need the details of the smaller streets!

[dbloyd]

Google [and Apple too] are the new Microsoft. Not a lot of change when a product is updated.

[dollhouse nanny]

The old version is easier for my eyes to read. I like the old colors better and the wider main streets to orient where you are. I am a frequent user of google maps.

[garydewitt]

What did they do to the maps! Within a 2 mile radius of my house there are now roads that don't exist, and road that were closed 10 years ago are now back on the map.

[davidlevyhanover]

Gary - would you mind sharing, what state, town and streets you are seeing this error in?

[LoudHeart]

I wasn't aware that the colors are bit dimmer than usual until I read this article. The new UI looks good. However, I encountered few business addresses that were not pin-pointed correctly on Google map versus Bing map. The location of the pins were off a bit despite the fact that I entered the business address its county name and postal code.