Google Maps Gets Labs And More In App Update

I’m not sure about you, but Google Maps is one of the applications I use on my Android Phone more than most others. That being said, when an update for it is available I’m alllll over it. And guess what? Google has just updated Google Maps to version 3.3.0 and it includes a few new features.

The main addition in the application description seems to be Labs which offer:

When I opened up the new Google Maps for the first time it asked “What’s new in Maps?” and it answered:

Once in Google Maps if you press Menu > More > Labs you get to see the following information:

Labs
Labs is a testing ground for experimental features that aren’t quite ready for primetime. They may change, break or disappear at any time. Click on a lab to enable or disable it.

Scale bar
Shows a scale bar on the map with distances in metric and imperial units

Terrain layer
Adds the terrain layer to the layers menu. The terrain layer lets you view physical features, such as mountains and vegetation, with elevation shading.

Popular Categories
Shows a browsable list of category searches when you use the search menu item. The hard search button still gives direct access to the normal search screen.

Layer button
Adds an on-screen button for easy access to layers

Compass arrow
Uses the digital compass to indicate the direction you’re facing while stationary

All of the labs features are disabled by default, so make sure when you first load the app you turn them on if you’re looking to find out what is new. The layers button is pretty convenient and as that feature is built out a little more – hopefully integrated with Places Directory – it will be even more powerful.

Give the new Google Maps a spin and let us know how you like it! Awesome to see Google activity developing new applications while they simultaneously improve their existing ones at an impressive pace. Keep it up Team G!

[Thanks Jef!]

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