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Google Maps on Android Auto To Get a New Interface and New Colors
Google keeps refining its apps, and it looks like it’s now the turn of Google Maps on Android Auto to receive additional polishing. A recent APK teardown revealed a significant interface update for Google Maps on Android Auto.
While it might look pretty basic at first, with some users considering it rather a downgrade than a step forward, the new UI makes perfect sense for drivers.
There are two modes that Google is testing: one aimed at the light visual mode and a second one for the dark theme. Both rely on a simplified look and neutral, occasionally darker, colors to make the interface less distracting.
The new UI removes unnecessary visual elements, such as the buildings, focusing only on roads. That’s how most people use Google Maps in their cars, and considering navigation mostly comes down to roads, the application will eliminate visual elements that don’t necessarily make sense and only cause the UI to be more cluttered.
The same for dark mode, where instead of the dark blue, we’re getting a full black background. The next-turn indicators continue to be black, and this is also the case with the journey details panel, where users find information like distance remaining to the destination and the time of arrival.
It’s unclear whether Google wants to continue the work on this visual update or if the company is just experimenting with different approaches, but this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a lighter mode being tested in Google Maps. Google is seemingly looking into different approaches, and the reasoning makes perfect sense, as Google Maps must be less distracting and easier on the eyes.
Meanwhile, Google Maps is also getting another major update. Google described this refresh as the biggest update in over a decade, especially as Google Maps is getting 3D navigation with see-through buildings, improved turn-by-turn directions powered by Gemini, and more detailed maps that include crosswalks, sidewalks, and medians.
The update is already rolling out in regions like the United States and Canada, but Google did not provide an ETA as to when more regions are supposed to get it. What we do know is that the update involves tremendous work, especially because of the more detailed maps, so it could take a while until more regions begin to receive the update.
The new maps are available both on your Android phone and on Android Auto, so it’ll be interesting to see how Google mixes them with the new visual mode being tested today.
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Google MapsAndroid AutoAndroidnavigation app
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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