Newsletter
In the race toward the official availability of Android 5.0 Lollipop, which appears to be November 12th at this point thanks to some last minute bugs, we’re getting more and more apps updated to comply with Google’s latest design language, Material Design. Google has probably been the best developer out there to update their apps, not just because they’ve been doing it at a rapid pace but because so many of their apps have been updated to comply with the new design language lately. This latest update comes in the form of Google Maps, which has reached version 9, and includes not just a UI overhaul but also some truly excellent integration with popular services.
First up is OpenTable integration, which promises you tell you if there’s any spots available at the restaurant you just found on the map, and even lets you make a reservation right there using the OpenTable service at participating restaurants without ever having to leave Google Maps. Even more awesome is the integration with Uber which lets you add Uber fares to the list of possible ways to get to your destination. You’ll need to have the Uber app installed before you are able to use this service, but since that’s free it shouldn’t be a problem.
Of course last but not least is the full user interface overhaul, which not only includes new Material Design colors and sensibilities, but also some navigation elements placed in better locations. The weird navigation bar on the bottom left corner has been replaced with the proper upper left position and includes not just the new hamburger menu icon, but also the new design of the slide-out menu. Everything else is more functionally designed too, and you can experience it right now without having to wait by grabbing the APK right here. Happy navigating!
