Overhauled Google Maps Leaks Again Before Google I/O
A new pre-Google I/O leak gives more details on a Google Maps overhaul that Google may introduce at Google I/O later today.
The new leak looks very similar to the previous Google Maps overhaul leak with a bigger emphasis placed on the Maps themselves with floating UI elements instead of static sidebars. This leak, however, shows off more of the features that will accompany the UI revamp.
On a page that was since pulled, Droid-Life saw a walk-through for the new Google Maps that highlighted all of the alleged new features in the new Google Maps. Those features include some Google Earth functionality, smarter search, flight searches and new transportation options.
From Google Earth Google will bring the Earth View mode to the browser, giving users a new way to view cities around the world. A screenshot shows the new Earth View will work in any browser that supports OpenGL without a plug-in.
The smarter search bar in Google Maps floats on top of the map tiles, getting out of the way as much as possible. A search in the new search bar will display more information including destinations, ratings, reviews and even indoor maps in the search results. As shown in the previous leak, the new search bar will let users use their Google+ friends to find recommendations to find locations.
The new flight search option will bring Google’s relatively unknown flight search into Google Maps, showing flight paths and ticket prices.
Users can also use the new Google Maps to compare the time of those flights to other modes of transportation. The overhaul will likely introduce an option to compare different modes of transportation making it easier to find the best or fastest way to get somewhere.
The page did not mention Android or iPhone in the overview of the new Maps, though they will likely make it to mobile apps sometime in the near future. If nothing else, the new Google Maps UI should work well in the browser on the iPad and Android tablets.
