Google structure Maps with 3D, social search And cards
Google's got what it says is a brand new version of Maps that's been rebuilt from the ground up.Google says it's rebuilt Google Maps for the Web with a new version that's more immersive and social.
The new version takes a page from Google's mobile efforts by putting the search box inside the map, and making use of cards -- Google's take on interactive information widgets.
"It's simple and powerful. The map is the user interface," Google's Bernhard Seefeld told attendees at the company's annual developers conference, where the new Web service was unveiled.
When users click on locations, information about it appears on cards. That can include navigation, which includes a comparison between driving times and public transit times in one spot. Google's also surfacing social results, showing places that friends have reviewed.
The maps interface also includes a 3D view, which Google now says does not require any additional software or browser plug-ins. This is a similar experience to what Google's offered in its Earth app -- in fact, users can even zoom all the way out to see the entire earth, with a live view of clouds.
Details about several of the features leaked out ahead of I/O, and were spotted by Droid Life.Google is previewing the new version of the service beginning this week. Users can sign up as part of the preview beginning today, with invites going out beginning Thursday.
When users click on locations, information about it appears on cards. That can include navigation, which includes a comparison between driving times and public transit times in one spot. Google's also surfacing social results, showing places that friends have reviewed.
The maps interface also includes a 3D view, which Google now says does not require any additional software or browser plug-ins. This is a similar experience to what Google's offered in its Earth app -- in fact, users can even zoom all the way out to see the entire earth, with a live view of clouds.
Details about several of the features leaked out ahead of I/O, and were spotted by Droid Life.Google is previewing the new version of the service beginning this week. Users can sign up as part of the preview beginning today, with invites going out beginning Thursday.