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- Google Maps is getting a redesign to coincide with its 15th birthday, the company announced on Thursday.
- The update brings features that were already available in the app - like the ability to contribute reviews and ratings and save favorite places to lists - front and center.
- The redesign highlights how Google Maps has grown into much more than just a navigation app over the last 15 years.
- Google is also adding a few new additions to Maps later on, such as additional information about public transit routes and a new mode for its Live View augmented reality view.
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Google Maps is getting an update on Thursday that emphasizes the app's evolution from being just a means of navigation to a hub for learning about nearby points of interest, commuting tips, and more.
Coinciding with Google Maps' 15th birthday, the search giant is implementing a redesign that focuses on five specific categories: "Explore," "Commute," "Saved," "Contribute," and "Updates," essentially highlighting all of the tasks people use Google Maps for besides getting directions.
That's a noticeable difference from the previous version of the app, which only had tabs for "Explore," "Commute," and "For You," a section that pulls together recommendations for places to visit.
The new look is certainly the biggest change coming to Maps on Thursday, but the company also has a couple of other new features in its pipeline. One such update will be coming to Live View over the coming months, the feature that uses augmented reality to provide turn-by-turn directions over the real world when holding your phone up. Google Maps will also be able to provide more information about public transit starting next month, similar to the feature it added last year that tells you if your train is likely to be crowded at a certain time.
The app icon is also getting a fresh update that looks like a pin, marking a departure from the previous iteration of the logo which more closely resembled a map.
Here's a closer look at the Maps refresh launching on Thursday and the other features rolling out next month.
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