What you should know
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- Google Maps is testing a redesigned UI for Android that features sheets instead of full-page UIs, allowing more of the map to be visible in the background.
- The redesign includes replacing double-backed sheets with single sheets for a cleaner look and more background visibility.
- Another significant change is the simplification of the top display in Google Maps, which now only includes two fields for the start and end locations of navigation, with transportation options moved to the bottom.
- The redesigned UI has been spotted on version 11.127.x of Google Maps for Android, indicating it is a server-side update still in testing phases.
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Full Story
Back in February, whispers and rumors hinted at something new brewing within the digital walls of Google Maps for Android. A UI facelift was on the horizon, promising a sleeker way to navigate our world. This wasn’t just any update. It was the kind that swapped out full-page UIs for something more… fluid. Sheets. Yeah, those panels that let you peek at the map beneath while plotting your next move. The aim? To keep the map, that digital representation of the world around us, always in sight, even if just a sliver.
Tapping the “Exit” icon, a simple “X” next to the Share button, would whisk these sheets away. But, as quickly as it appeared, Google yanked it back, leaving us wondering, “What’s next?” According to the folks over at 9to5Google, it seems our wait might be ending. Some Android users have spotted these changes making a comeback. And guess what? There’s more. The double-backed sheets from February’s glimpse? Gone. Replaced by sleek, single sheets that offer a tidier look and, dare I say, a bit more info lingering in the backdrop.
Now, let’s talk about what’s up top. The Google Maps display has slimmed down to just two fields. One whispers the starting point of your journey, and the other, the destination. They’ve ditched the edge-to-edge design, and the transportation modes? They’ve scooted down to the bottom of the screen.
Spotted in the wild on version 11.127.x of Google Maps for Android, this redesign still plays hard to get. It’s a server-side update, elusive, like a rare Pokémon. My Pixel 6 Pro, armed with the latest Android 15 beta, hasn’t caught this variant yet. It’s stuck on version 11.126.0103. Curious about your Google Maps version? Dive into Settings > Apps > Google Maps and scroll all the way down. It’s a little treasure hunt.
Here’s hoping Google decides this redesign is more than just a fleeting fancy. That it sticks around, gracing all Android devices with its presence. Because, let’s face it, we’re all a bit tired of the “now you see it, now you don’t” game Google seems to love playing.
