Google's I/O developer conference kicked off in San Francisco today. While Larry Page didn't have anything new to share about everyone's love-it-or-hate-it nerd toy during the keynote address, Google did release something much more useful for the normal folks in the audience: Google Maps updated interface.
The new Google Maps has been rebuilt from scratch in order to better integrate the company's location-based search products and personalize them to each user's needs. When logged into Google, for example, Maps will highlight a user's frequent haunts and (somewhat hauntingly) learn about their favorites based on search history, posts on Google Plus, and information plucked from their Gmail account. Test runs of the new service today revealed Larry Page is a big fan of celebrated San Francisco restaurant State Bird Provisions. Taking that one step further, Google will be able to recommend new places you might like while traveling in a new city, based on your hometown favorites and preferences of people with similar taste.
Aside from becoming a massive mine for your location data, Maps will get a few more interface tweaks. Searching for directions now brings up a few possible routes, similar to how the mobile app provides a multiple options. Transit travel times, pedestrian-friendly routes and bike lanes are all readily available as well, and there's a handy tool to compare estimated travel times across all routes and modes of transport. Likewise, searching for dinner now presents multiple options: clicking on any "Asian Fusion" restaurant now shows you other fusion restaurants nearby. On the other hand, maps now include ads or local deals in the form of purple pins.
If you prefer a higher-altitude view of the planet, Google Earth will now be integrated into the browser version instead of a separate app. With a click, users can fly around 3D-rendered buildings and landscapes. Zooming out on the globe will even display the Milky Way and real-time weather patterns.
Naturally, there's a promo video, which includes directions to Benders, known for their Slim Jim Bloody Marys:
The desktop app starts rolling out to users over the next few weeks and you can sign to jump the line right now. An update to the iOS and Android versions should also land sometime in the not too distant future.
