Google Maps Gaining More Detail With New Color-Mapping Algorithmic Technique

[MacRumors]

Google today announced a major update for Google Maps, which will see the feature gaining more detail and granularity to better highlight natural features and terrain.

Google is introducing a new color-mapping algorithmic technique that can take the high-definition satellite imagery used for Google Maps and turn it into what Google says is a "comprehensive, vibrant map of an area at a global scale."

The updated Google Maps app will provide a better look at an area's natural features, making it easier to see beaches, lakes, rivers, oceans, vegetation, and even mountaintops. Color-mapping works by using computer vision to identify natural features from satellite imagery, which are then analyzed and assigned a range of colors.

According to Google, the new Google Maps design is available in all 220 countries and territories that Google Maps supports, and in the near future, there will also be more detailed views of roads for pedestrians.

Google Maps will provide accurate road shapes and widths, along with the locations of sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian islands. Detailed street maps will be coming to London, New York, and San Francisco in the coming months and will expand to other cities later.

Apple has also been working to improve the detail shown in the Apple Maps app, and has rolled out redesigned Apple 2.0 Maps across the United States. This year, those mapping updates are also set to come to Canada, Ireland, and the UK.

The updated maps provide more detailed roads, buildings, parks, marinas, beaches, airports, and more, to make it easier to navigate areas with these features.

Article Link: Google Maps Gaining More Detail With New Color-Mapping Algorithmic Technique

 

[johannnn]

Consumers are the winner here. I love to see Apple Maps and Google Maps constantly enhancing their apps all the time.

 

[HappyDude20]

It’s cute that the article mentions Apple Maps at the end as if it’s a viable
Competitor. The only reason it’s a competitor is cause Apple includes Apple Naps automatically in all of its devices.

But Google Maps has worked hard over the years to bring us great features.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Wow! this looks very cool.

 

[gsmornot]

I just hope it correctly reflects that my lawn is greener than my neighbors.

 

[rgeneral]

Yup. To me we get best of both worlds. Ironically you get more choice on an iPhone than android.

 

[one more]

New Google Maps = 220 countries, Apple Maps = 1 (the US) + 3 more to come “later this year”. Honestly, Apple...

 

[indiekiduk]

Still seeing the normal bland Iceland here

 

[4jasontv]

I find Google maps great for exploring details on a desktop, but for actual navigation I still prefer Apple Maps.

 

[Anox]

I find Google maps great for exploring details on a desktop, but for actual navigation I still prefer Apple Maps.

At the moment Apple Maps on Mac is fun
And this a feature I really waited for but I just can’t see myself using Google Maps over Apple Maps I just got used to it by now

 

[slvrscoobie]

It’s cute that the article mentions Apple Maps at the end as if it’s a viable
Competitor. The only reason it’s a competitor is cause Apple includes Apple Naps automatically in all of its devices.

But Google Maps has worked hard over the years to bring us great features.

Apple Naps.
1) its true, apple was naping when they decided to do it on their own
2) an app for napping sounds wonderful

 

[cocky jeremy]

It’s cute that the article mentions Apple Maps at the end as if it’s a viable
Competitor. The only reason it’s a competitor is cause Apple includes Apple Naps automatically in all of its devices.

But Google Maps has worked hard over the years to bring us great features.

Apple Maps has never once failed me. It looks a lot nicer too. With that said, I drive like an *******, so I use Waze to look out for cops 99% of the time. lol.

 

[4jasontv]

Ok. So playing around with it for a bit I can't help but notice that it doesn't even show Kolbeinsey. How do you pick Iceland to demo the updates and not mention this oversight?

 

[slvrscoobie]

I find Google maps great for exploring details on a desktop, but for actual navigation I still prefer Apple Maps.

do you Like to get lost or use the most inefficient way to get somewhere?

 

[NightFox]

I just wish on close-ups, both Google and Apple maps would move away from their obsession with pastel shades, or at least give the option for better contrast. Trying to see white roads with pale grey edges against a pale yellow background is a really bad case of form over function.

 

[4jasontv]

do you Like to get lost or use the most inefficient way to get somewhere?

What are you talking about? Apple Maps works fine. I don't need to know the degrees drifting per turn. I tell Siri where I want to go, she confirms, and as we travel she gently buzzes my wrist to let me know left or right. I don't need see the type of rock I will be passing.

 

[palmerc2]

Coming to Apple Maps in 2031

 

[Bustycat]

Hope that Apple Maps eventually becomes really useful globally...

 

[progressivebpm]

Still seeing the normal bland Iceland here

I wish they would show where Floki is.

Disclaimer: Not all the way through S6 of Vikings yet.

 

[genovelle]

It’s cute that the article mentions Apple Maps at the end as if it’s a viable
Competitor. The only reason it’s a competitor is cause Apple includes Apple Naps automatically in all of its devices.

But Google Maps has worked hard over the years to bring us great features.

Apple helped them build their mobile product as Iphone was by far the most used for years until Google decided to build a competing phone and then use turn by turn navigation as well as other features to limit the appeal of iPhone against android. They forced Apple into the maps business. When the 3rd party services were not working as they wanted. The embarked on controlling the data too. You have clearly not used Apple Maps in the last 3 years. The experience is far superior to Google.

 

[Nordichund]

Competition is good. Many places outside the US Apple Maps has so far failed the test. I have to admit Google Maps saved me once big time on a car journey in South Africa after my paid navigation app failed. But Google really used to run the battery down on my old 6S.

 

[CarlJ]

do you Like to get lost or use the most inefficient way to get somewhere?

Huh. Google Maps once told me to use any lane of the 5-lane freeway I was currently driving upon (at freeway speeds) to make an immediate U-turn. Complete with the screen showing 5 U-turn arrows, one in each lane (I wish I could have gotten a screenshot, but, you know, driving). My destination was 10 miles further along the freeway, there was absolutely no reason to make any lane changes even, for another 9 miles or so. Apple Maps has never ****ed up that bad for me - hell, Apple Maps’ directions have always been fine, the only problem has been getting Siri to understand my destination, from time to time.

I continue to see a lot of hate towards Apple Maps from people who likely haven’t used Apple Maps in recent memory. It started out rocky (it was developed hastily, because Google wanted more creepiness in return for extending the license for Google Maps), but it has improved continuously since. This feature of making the maps reflect terrain better is something Apple implemented a year or two ago.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

It’s cute that the article mentions Apple Maps at the end as if it’s a viable
Competitor. The only reason it’s a competitor is cause Apple includes Apple Naps automatically in all of its devices.

But Google Maps has worked hard over the years to bring us great features.

People also value different things in their mapping apps. I personally have both installed but I haven't opened Google Maps in months (just checked today noticed that it has a new icon). I used to like Google maps until it became very resource heavy and slow over the past few years. The navigation has also been problematic in a few places despite me reporting it constantly. Ever since Apple switched to the new maps in my area I've migrated all my saved places and have been using it exclusively because I much more prefer the UI and navigation. Haven't had an issue yet. So yes, for me Apple Maps is a legitimate competitor.

 

[coolfactor]

It’s cute that the article mentions Apple Maps at the end as if it’s a viable
Competitor. The only reason it’s a competitor is cause Apple includes Apple Naps automatically in all of its devices.

But Google Maps has worked hard over the years to bring us great features.

It's not healthy to hold onto such biases. Here in BC, Canada, my experience with Apple Maps far exceeded that of Google Maps in most cases. The tech just worked more reliably more of the time. Google Maps is very good, but Apple Maps held the edge on user experience.

Google Maps was smarter about avoiding U-turns, but the verbal queues would come late far too often whereas Apple Maps never failed with this. Plus, I have loved the Apple Watch integration, but Google Maps recently gained that feature, so it's a match there, I guess.

EDIT: I realized that I'm only talking about GPS navigation, which is pretty much the only thing I use Maps for, so there may be other use cases where Google Maps continues to hold the crown. It does work better to find locations by name, but Apple Maps continues to offer a better GPS experience (for me) when the destination is known.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

do you Like to get lost or use the most inefficient way to get somewhere?

Well, I've had issues where Google maps told me to move 5 lanes across almost horizontally after entering the highway so I can shave off a few seconds by going onto an onramp, another one where it led me onto a dirt road that was dimly lit so it can avoid some non-existent traffic. Since I don't like to get lost or use the most inefficient way to get somewhere, I've been using Apple Maps exclusively since the new maps came out.