Newly Redesigned Google Maps Focuses on User’s Points of Interest

Web Mapping Service Google Map is getting a fresh look to adapt to users’ travel methods and what they are looking for.

The company announced it has updated driving, navigation, transit and explore maps to better highlight information that the company thinks will be most relevant. That means gas stations when you’re driving or more prominently featured train and bus stations if you’re riding the rails or hopping on mass transit.

Google also said that maps would get an updated color scheme with new icons added to more easily identify places like a church, cafe, museum or hospital not just by their symbol, but also with a corresponding color to make it even easier to identify.

For instance, If you’re taking public transportation, it’ll highlight stops and route lines; if you’re exploring the area, it’ll focus more on points of interest. Each location type will have distinct colors and icons, too, so it should be easier to find a restaurant or movie theater if you’re new to the area.

Food and drink is now colored orange; shopping remains blue; pink is health; seafoam green is entertainment and leisure; green is for outdoor; and lighter blue is for transport.  There will also be icons for road closures, construction, and car accidents.

All Google devices that use Maps will be getting the update “over the next few weeks,” including the Assistant, search, Google Earth, and Android Auto. Eventually, the changes will also migrate to sites that embed Google Maps APIs.

It’ll show up in other apps and websites “over time.” While this isn’t the same as changing features, this could still make a big difference — the context-sensitive visuals could make sure you take the right bus, or discover an eatery you would have otherwise missed.