Google's new Maps feature highlights different locations based on what you're doing
Google Maps is getting a new look soon.
Google previewed a redesigned look for Maps that makes it easier to find venues around you. The new design will be rolling out "over the next few weeks" and will appear in Google Maps' website and apps, as well as third-party services that use Google Maps.
With the update, Google Maps will subtly change based on what you're doing. If you're using navigation, for example, the app will highlight locations you're more likely to need while driving, like gas stations. Likewise, if you're looking at transit directions, Maps will point to bus stops and public transportation stops.
Google is also updating the color scheme it uses to identify business locations on the map, to make it easier to find specific types of venues. With the update, the type of business will determine the color of its icon on the map.
Restaurants and other venues that fall into the "Food & Drink" category will be orange, while "shopping" will be blue, and "Entertainment/Leisure" will be teal.
It may sound like a small change, but Google says these visual cues will make it easier and faster to find places when you're in an unfamiliar area.
Topics Google
Karissa was Mashable's Senior Tech Reporter, and is based in San Francisco. She covers social media platforms, Silicon Valley, and the many ways technology is changing our lives. Her work has also appeared in Wired, Macworld, Popular Mechanics, and The Wirecutter. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding and watching too many cat videos on Instagram. Follow her on Twitter @karissabe.
