Do you love Google Maps integration across the web but wish for a little more visual variety? Have you ever felt that the stock standard Maps look and feel just broke the visual appeal of an app or website? If yes, then Google has a gift for you, assuming you’re the developer. Google has now given developers the option to customise the look and feel of their apps and sites with an enhanced API – new APIs how exciting!
Google Maps is one of the few things that truly bridges the digital and physical divide, it is one of the most truly transformative and useful pieces of technology we have next to, and inside, our smartphone. However, the interface is getting a little monotonous, even with Google’s recent face lift, it’s just the same everywhere. Thanks to the new styling wizard developers will be able to customise the maps colour pallet, hide labels, vary road appearance and toggle POIs within the map.
This will allow developers to customise the map completely for the purpose and theming of their app or site. The new API will also ensure these design changes are responsive across form factors, allowing developers to implement a consistent visual pallet across their mobile, tablet and web properties.
Whilst Google Maps is excellent and one of my favourite part of the internet it has begun to get a little same same, it will be great to see developers begin to implement a varied style across the web.
