Google Maps Loses Two Tabs Out of Five in Bottom Bar Redesign

[MacRumors]

Google Maps is rolling out a redesigned bottom bar to iPhones that aims to give the app a less cluttered look by reducing the number of tabs on the screen.

Old Google Maps bottom bar (left) vs. new one​

Previously only on Android, the new bottom bar reduces the number of tabs from five to three. As spotted by 9to5Google, "Go" has been removed, but users can still access it using a new "You" middle tab, via a new "Saved trips" section therein.

"You" was previously called "Saved," and retains the same bookmark icon. But tapping it takes you to an updated page with new top tabs for "Notifications" and "Messages," both of which serve content that was previously found in the "Updates" tab, now removed. That leaves "Contribute" as the last tab of the three on the main maps screen.

• Apple Maps vs. Google Maps: Which Is Better?

The rollout is occurring in version 6.129.1 of Google Maps. If you've updated and don't see the new bottom bar, try force-quitting the app via the app switcher screen and then re-open it, which worked for us.

Article Link: Google Maps Loses Two Tabs Out of Five in Bottom Bar Redesign

 

[hagar]

You see a lot of apps following this trend. Not happy about it. I prefer quick access from the bottom toolbar.

 

[cutcopypaste]

In one sense this change is a bit bizarre because the bottom bar really isn’t where the clutter is. But I also never use the bottom bar so won’t miss them

 

[d5aqoëp]

I expected Google Maps to use AI to generate some random Made-up maps and pretend to take me there. Then they can remove every single option in that app including the maps itself. That's the bleak future we are headed at right?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

In one sense this change is a bit bizarre because the bottom bar really isn’t where the clutter is. But I also never use the bottom bar so won’t miss them

Agreed. The clutter is at the top.

 

[Deine Mudda]

Apple Maps > Google Maps

 

[rustygh]

You see a lot of apps following this trend. Not happy about it. I prefer quick access from the bottom toolbar.

Yup, it's similar to the single home screen brainless minimalistic people. It's slower!

 

[Kalixt]

Apple Maps > Google Maps

I don't think so, apple maps missing way to add photos of places you visited, also you can't see real images of streets and world around. I use it a lot when I am planning trips to look around of my destination. They don't even had browser version, how is it better in any way ?

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Apple Maps > Google Maps

It's getting there, but as long as they Yelp attached, I'm going for Google Maps.

Plus, I could not make heads-or-tails of the bus and rail routes, with Apple Maps, when visiting Seattle last fall. I haven't used public transport with any regularity for 20 years, so maybe I just don't know what I'm doing, but Google's version made sense.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Haven’t used google maps in past 6-7 years. My wife uses google maps and it is absolutely hilarious on some routes, and very inaccurate in some areas. And Google places of interests is spam and very slow in updating closed restaurants or business compared to yelp.

 

[gleepskip]

I don't think so, apple maps missing way to add photos of places you visited, also you can't see real images of streets and world around. I use it a lot when I am planning trips to look around of my destination.

This is Apple Maps at street level

 

[marcoago]

They don't even had browser version, how is it better in any way ?

Apple Maps: Directions, Guides & Traffic

Find local businesses, get place recommendations, view maps and get driving directions on Apple Maps.

beta.maps.apple.com

 

[Deine Mudda]

I don't think so, apple maps missing way to add photos of places you visited, also you can't see real images of streets and world around. I use it a lot when I am planning trips to look around of my destination. They don't even had browser version, how is it better in any way ?

It’s not Google, therefore privacy and data security is better in every way.
Plus the navigation is excellent.
I would never use a Google service in my life ever again.

 

[Kalixt]

Apple Maps: Directions, Guides & Traffic

Find local businesses, get place recommendations, view maps and get driving directions on Apple Maps.

beta.maps.apple.com

I know about it, it still in beta and they added it only recently.

 

[Kalixt]

View attachment 2408608
This is Apple Maps at street level

available only in US ? oh great... that's maybe 5% of what google have

 

[bradman83]

View attachment 2408608
This is Apple Maps at street level

available only in US ? oh great... that's maybe 5% of what google have

It's actually the opposite, Apple Maps has comprehensive "Look Around" coverage in many countries outside of the US but abysmal coverage in the US. Almost all of Canada is covered but in the US it's limited to the largest cities and metro areas and/or major tourist destination. Midsized and smaller cities still don't have coverage (to say nothing about small towns) almost 10 years after launch and the satellite photos in some places are many, many, many years out of date.

Google's StreetView is much more comprehensive (albeit lower quality) and in some places has multiple years of captures you can browse through.

 

[rehkram]

The redesign, small as it is, is a long overdue improvement IMO. I want logical groupings and hierarchies vs the overload of random splatter. But I'm an IT guy.

 

[trip1ex]

Previously on "As the World Turns..."

 

[Jeo_cz]

Now they can get rid of the rest 3...

 

[Jetson]

What's that bright white line at the bottom of the screen?

It's that useless, annoying iOS home-bar that can't be turned off.

When is Apple going to wake up and give us a setting to hide it?

Or better yet, just ditch it entirely!

 

[MNWildFan]

You see a lot of apps following this trend. Not happy about it. I prefer quick access from the bottom toolbar.

Me too

Doing something like this in removing some of those tabs from the bottom makes access to some things now wildly inefficient

 

[BigGongZillaSkrillex]

You see a lot of apps following this trend. Not happy about it. I prefer quick access from the bottom toolbar.

Tbh I do prefer this design. This is how I have my YouTube app on iOS.

 

[mactactic]

My friends at google worked on this project, this has been one of our complaints since 2017! The bottom app drawer was an eyesore and a distraction!!
Congrats to my friends!!!

 

[rehkram]

Me too

Doing something like this in removing some of those tabs from the bottom makes access to some things now wildly inefficient

Well I guess it depends on how you define "wildly inefficient"

 

[nCode]

Just wished Apple Maps worked great in the UK.

Google Maps data with Apple Maps UI is a dream. 😔