Google is reportedly ready to roll out an update for its Maps application to make things much more detailed. The brand new aesthetic will be easier to read at a glance, particularly in terms of differentiating environments. And that all comes down to a better color-mapping algorithm being applied. Now, when Google Maps is pulled up, at less magnified zoom levels, the colors will be far more representative of the actual landscape.
That includes a better distinction between mountains and ice caps, as well as deserts, beaches, and dense forests.
Less dense woods also still appear to be colored in a lighter green. But the distinction is much easier to make regardless. And the colors chosen are fairly obvious. With deeper greens used for dense forests and beige tones used for deserts and beaches. White, of course, is reserved for high mountain peaks and ice caps.
This won’t just be randomly assigned or only applicable to the back-country areas
Now, all of this will still be based on satellite imagery, Google says. That should equate to a higher degree of accuracy. And with the new colors, that’s going to be more accurate still. But this isn’t just being applied to the outdoor area where people don’t generally live. It also will apply to cities.
A slower rolling feature will ensure that street maps are more detailed with a similar overlay of coloration changes for environmental features. But also with more detailed street features from crosswalks and sidewalks to pedestrian islands. Roads themselves will be shown in shape and size that’s more accurate “to scale.”
All of which should make the app’s other features easier to use.
When will the new Google Maps update arrive?
For cities, the new details are going to take a bit longer to be applied. And that shouldn’t come as a surprise since cities are arguably changing more frequently. And a more detailed view is an absolute must for the best navigation experience. To begin with, over the “coming months” only New York, San Francisco, and London will see the feature. More cities will be added later on.
For landscape features found out in the natural world, That’s starting a roll-out this week, globally.
