Google has today started a slow roll out of a new version of Google Maps which includes a refreshed UI similar to that of the Google Maps Desktop Preview and the latest version on iOS. It’s very clean and, so far, simple to navigate around.
There’s nothing really groundbreaking to tell you about, so we recommend you just download it for yourself now (Android 4.1 and 4.2 only for now) or wait for the official roll out for your specific device via Google Play.
Download
Android 4.2: Download .APK
Android 4.1+: Download .APK
In our quick play around with the new version, we found searching for a location brought up instant ‘time-to-destination’ via all available means of transportation — public transport is hit and miss in most places. We’re also given a quick link to street view at that location.
Swiping around the map, it was clear that it’s not very smooth at all with stutter occurring on both the Galaxy S4 and HTC One. But give it a whirl and tell us what you think!
