What you should know
– Google Maps has undergone a significant visual transformation with a new color palette
– The new design’s color palette replaces traditional warm hues with a more contemporary aesthetic
– The new color scheme has received mixed reactions, with some users finding it difficult to discern between road types
– The update is now widely available across the web, Android, and iOS platforms, including Android Auto
Full Story
Google Maps has recently undergone a major visual overhaul, introducing a new color palette that has sparked mixed reactions among users. The update, which was initially rolled out for Android, iOS, and the web versions of Maps, has now also been extended to the Android Auto counterpart. The new color scheme aims to improve usability and enhance the overall user experience by replacing warm hues with more contemporary and refreshing colors. Roads now feature a range of grays, allowing them to stand out more prominently against the background of parks and forests, while freeways have been given a darker gray hue with subtle blue undertones, blending seamlessly with water bodies that now display a lighter blue shade.
While Google claims that the new color palette offers several advantages and enhances legibility, many users have expressed their discontent with the changes. Some have reported that the new colors make it difficult to discern between road types, while others feel that the brighter colors mimic Apple Maps, adding to their frustration. The sentiment has been echoed on platforms like Reddit and other social media, with even an ex-Google Maps designer expressing her discontent with the direction the Google Maps team has taken. Users have taken to Google Maps support to express their frustration, and it remains unclear what Google’s position is on the users’ complaints or whether the company intends to implement further changes.
Throughout the testing and gradual rollout of the new color palette, which began in August, it seems that the majority of users have not been in favor of the changes. The intent behind the update was to enhance usability and improve the overall user experience, but it has faced criticism from a significant portion of the user base. As the update is now widely available across various platforms, including Android Auto, it remains to be seen whether Google will address the users’ complaints and consider further changes to the new color scheme.
