Google Maps has introduced alterations to the way users can hide the search bar and other user interface (UI) elements within its app for Android and iOS devices. In the past, users could simply tap anywhere on the map to conceal the UI, revealing the complete map. However, the method has now shifted to a new gesture: users need to swipe up on the search bar to achieve the same result.
This transformation was initially spotted by some users in the Google Maps Help forum back in February and has now been implemented across all devices. The new gesture intends to offer users a complete map view. However, some users have found this new gesture less intuitive and convenient compared to the previous method.
An additional outcome of this change is that tapping anywhere on the map instantly drops a pin, which could be advantageous for some users but bothersome for others. Furthermore, this alteration impacts how users can dismiss other UI components, such as the Explore sheet and location listings.
On the flip side, certain situations might require users to swipe up twice to make the UI vanish. While the bottom bar displays the “Latest in [area]” sheet from Explore, users need to swipe once to remove this UI, and then a second time to eliminate the rest of the UI. However, when location listings are present, only one upward swipe is necessary.
Google Maps ranks among the most popular and widely utilized apps globally, making any change to its functionality a potential game-changer for user experience. Despite this adjustment, it remains unclear why Google chose to implement this modification or whether there are plans to revert to the previous method in the future.
Meanwhile, a consortium of tech giants including Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and TomTom have initiated a novel endeavor aimed at providing open map data for developers. The Overture Maps Foundation, established in the previous year, has recently launched its inaugural dataset, encompassing vast information about global locations and transportation networks.
The coalition aims to challenge the online map market duopoly currently dominated by Google and Apple, which often charge app developers for using their maps as a service. By offering the underlying map data at no cost or minimal expense, the Overture initiative seeks to foster innovation and competition within the mapping and navigation sector. The dataset was gathered and contributed by Meta and Microsoft, and meticulously verified and refined by the Overture team.
This collaborative effort asserts that their data surpasses the accuracy and comprehensiveness of other open map sources, such as OpenStreetMap, which relies on crowdsourced information. With this ambitious initiative, the tech giants are paving the way for a more dynamic and competitive landscape within the world of digital mapping and navigation.
