Google Maps now with more detail: four cities with visible hedges, zebra crossings and path widths
Pedestrians should soon find it easier to get their bearings with Google Maps. The company has updated its maps for four cities. Expect to see more details than ever!
Curious to see which streets of London are lined with hedges? Or how wide the paths are in New York city’s Central Park? Google Maps will be able to deliver that information shortly. At least that’s if the smartphone website xdadevelopers is to be believed. A beta version is already available for some users.
Green hedges, grey steps
The new features are rolled out server side. In other words, there’s nothing you can do as an individual to get your hands on this detailed version of Google Maps. As soon as Google thinks you should receive this update, you will. Judging by the handful of screenshots provided by xdadevelopers, you can expect overhauled maps that are especially useful for pedestrians.
Google’s redesign includes road width and path width in parks as well as shrubs and other greenery. What’s more, you can see zebra crossings and traffic islands. Road turnoffs are displayed as rounded and no longer angular.
Another helpful redesign is that stairs are displayed in grey. This should make navigating a city easier for individuals with a disability. With this redesign, Google Maps is following Apple Maps’ example. Last May, the Apple company rolled out new features that should make daily life easier for people who use a wheelchair or have other limitations.
The video shows all new features from time stamp 21:23. By the way, Meg Frost, the presenter and Director for Product Design at Apple Maps, uses a smart wheelchair by Whill.
Beta version for four cities
What we know so far is that updates have been rolled out for four cities:
- London, UK (Central London)
- New York City, USA
- San Francisco, USA
- Tokyo, Japan (Central Tokyo)
Google is keeping details about the maps under wraps. So we still don’t know when and which cities will be added at a later stage and which users will be able to access those maps. However, in December, the search giant provided information about the new Community Feed that’s built into Maps. The feed shows you important data about your environment. This includes new meals added to the menus of your favourite restaurants or recommendations from local guides you follow.
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