Google Maps Offers Restaurant Reservations & Uber Pickup Time and Price Estimates as Part of Material Redesign

Google announced today a material redesign of its Maps app for Android and iOS Lollipop users, complete with solid, bold color, and texture schemes.

The move was announced via a blog post written by Evelyn Kim—Google Maps UX Designer—following a recent redesign overhaul for several other apps, such as Google Drive and Google Calendar, as well as the introduction of the new Inbox email app.

According to the announcement, this new Google Maps look is all about “creating surfaces and shadows that echo the real world; with Google Maps’ new material feel, layers and buttons come to life so you know just where to touch to get directions, recommendations and imagery.”

Google is standing by its technological innovation premise, as it continuously improves its Maps app to help users discover interesting places around them more easily. With the update, users can instantly view an “info layer,” complete with photos and reviews, by just tapping on a place’s info sheet found at the bottom of their screen. [See Figure 1]

Figure 1

The company has also improved its OpenTable integration for US-based users. Right from within the Maps app, users can seamlessly book a table at a restaurant, so long as it is listed in OpenTable. [See Figure 2]

Figure 2

Also a new feature for the app is the price and duration estimates for Uber rides. Back in May, the company introduced an option that estimated how long it would take an Uber car to get users to their particular destinations, and now, Google Maps users will also be able to see Uber’s pickup price and waiting time whenever they request for directions, presuming they have the Uber app on their phones. [See Figure 3]

Figure 3

The Maps update is expected to roll out to Android and iOS devices over the next week.

Do you think Google will see an increase in the number of Maps app downloads with this new feature? Will Material Design be as important to business owners as it is to smartphone users in general? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.

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