10 things I hate about ‘New’ Google maps
Simply put, don’t remove functionality
Ok I know its not “new’ anymore its been almost a year, but still my annoyances with the redesign haven’t been ironed out by revisions to the design, leading me to believe Google aren’t intending to make any significant changes. As I also still haven’t ‘got used to it’ even with daily use probably shows that my rejecting stance probably isn’t about my dislike for change, more that there’s some fundamental problems with the design which I will narrow down to ten for the purpose of this post.
1. All that zooming about
I have no idea why it zooms in and out so voraciously but its extremely frustrating never mind slow. If want to see all McDonalds in the local area for example, the new maps will ignore my request and inexplicably zoom ridiculously close to a random store of their choice.
2. Hidden markers
Instead of the using the well established pin marker for search results, the new google maps now uses a subtle shop, restaurant, or bar icon in red to distinguish their locations. This is incredibly hard to spot especially when tens of other icons are displayed in the local area. This problem is especially prevalent in London where the local public transport icons are often red and in the case of the underground round too.
3. Removing map options
In the classic maps there was the option to be able to turn on public transport routes, terrain, or traffic independently of what search you had in action. This was eextremely useful for finding out quickly for comparing routes to various locations at the same time. Now this functionality, once clearly displayed in the top right, has been confusingly hidden within the search bar. Search public transport and the routes will appear…at the expense of any search you were currently doing. And don’t even think about viewing two of these at the same time.
4. Poorer offline maps
Prior to the change you simply had to scan over an area on your mobile you’d like to access offline and it would cache in quite some detail. Now you have to remember to type “OK maps” into the search bar at the location you want. A great feature of classic maps was setting up your maps before going abroad, for example, so that you could see your starred locations even offline, such as hotels and restaurants, now I have to rack up roaming bills or remember the quite hidden functionality of typing into the search bar.
5. Much slower
Yes the integration of google maps is quite cool but it has come at the expense of its once much loved zippiness. Every search or journey plan is blighted by the jumpy interactions and unpredictable speeds.
6. Removing some right click functionality
Being able to edit your journey quickly with a right click was supremely easy to use functionality that is inexplicably missing in this edition. In my book removing functionality is always a no go.
7. Editing route
Once the backbone of google maps. Got a complicated journey with multiple stops, or simply want to plan a bike ride run or afternoon walk? All you had to do was drag your blue line route into the shape you’d like. Yes this functionality is still present in the new version, but its so jumpy and clunky its almost unusable, especially on mobile which I wouldn’t even attempt.
8. UI rearranged
As I’ve touched on already quite a few features have been moved, hidden or outright removed. I’m sure the design team have their reasons for doing so but I’m not sure if they outweigh the years of constant use and muscle memory developed by its users was it really necessary to move the satellite image option from top right to bottom left, just so it linked with the (useless in my opinion) random images of the local area.
9. Collapsing and expanding menus
Yes its cool that the maps are now full screen so you can see more of your local, especially on mobile. But the animated jerkiness of the expanding and collapsing search bar is simply irritating and extremely slow. Combine that with the zoom and it feels as if the new google maps is determined t get you lost, not find your way.
10. Not letting you revert back to classic maps
A somewhat telltale sign to new maps problems is the inclusion of a “return to classic google maps” link, which is still present almost a year on. Clicking it though will only let you use classic maps for that session, close your window and you’ll be returned to the zooming future….
I guess most of these flaws can be categorised under one header, the removal of features or functionality. My continued frustration, and increased use of city mapper, is testament that people don’t forget. Luckily for google maps their monopoly on local business search is still far superior than the competition, so for now I plod on through its disorientating interface. Hopefully for not much longer however as CityMappers bike hire scheme integration and intuitive interface makes it hot on google maps heels.
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