New Google Maps Colours

[djsmith74]

What are everyone’s thoughts on the new colours that have been rolled out with Google Maps? Looks like not everyone has this, but my phone has been updated. As someone who uses Google Maps a lot for Sat Nav, I think the colours are awful. The old version was much more crisp and clear.

This article explains what I’m on about…

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/09/google-map...

[page3]

Google Maps has (in the UK at least) had awful colours for quite a while. Coincidentally they were ruined just when Apple managed to get them right on Apple Maps. Having our motorways blue is a pretty big usability benefit.

[Ham_and_Jam]

You know you’re getting old when you always like the old version of anything that’s changed.

st, I like the old version.

[marksx]

I can't remember the last time I used Google maps without satellite view on

[djsmith74]

Ham_and_Jam said:

You know you’re getting old when you always like the old version of anything that’s changed.

st, I like the old version.

Yep, that’s definitely true in my case! I appreciate I’m just moaning about something trivial, but it’s just annoying when something is changed for no tangible reason…

[AF11]

Google maps is fine daytime. But in night mode there is a huge lack of contrast, so i find it very difficult to see the navigation line. This is literally the most important part of nav software.

I don’t understand how trillion dollar companies can’t get basics like this right. Even Tom Tom had the option of changing colours and this was 20 years ago.

[kevinon]

AF11 said:

Google maps is fine daytime. But in night mode there is a huge lack of contrast, so i find it very difficult to see the navigation line. This is literally the most important part of nav software.

I don’t understand how trillion dollar companies can’t get basics like this right. Even Tom Tom had the option of changing colours and this was 20 years ago.

I'm a user researcher. We sit with users to understand what problems they have with prototype & live digital services.
We then help the devs and designers improve, with usual constraints (eg time, money).
There are so many systems that defy logic, it makes me wonder what happens with their user research?