Dec 17, 2010 15:43 GMT  ·  By

The Google Maps Android app has just received a massive update. Google Maps 5.0 for Android comes with quite a few new features, a richer visual environment, 3D view, compass mode and so on, but the biggest update was under the hood. It marks the switch from static images for the map tiles to vector graphics, a move that means significantly less data downloaded, better graphics at any zoom level and better performance.

"We launched Google Maps for mobile a little more than five years ago. Since then, we’ve added dozens of features, and we’ve grown from a few thousand to more than 100 million users," Michael Siliski, Product Manager at Google, writes.

"Still, a couple of things have remained the same: a flat, north-up map and the need for a strong Internet connection. Today, we’re changing that for the first time," he adds.

One of main highlights of the update is vector graphics for the map tiles, which translate into more freedom in rendering the map and smoother performance. This also powers the impressive 3D mode.

The second big new feature is significantly improved offline access for both Google Maps and Google Maps Navigation. Both tools now have more functionality even if you're not currently connected to the internet.

But the interesting thing is that all of the updates actually stem from the same thing, the switch to vector graphics. Vector graphics uses a lot less data than regular images, even compressed ones.

This way, Google says, drawing the map across different zoom levels uses 100 times less data than having to download all the tile images. This is because, once the vector data is downloaded, it stays accurate at any zoom level since it only needs to be redrawn.

Overall, Google estimates, that the latest version of the Maps for Android app uses 70 percent less bandwidth than before. This means faster access and less strain on your data plan and it also enables Maps to cache a much bigger area than before.

When your phone is plugged in and connected to a WiFi network, Maps starts downloading the map data for the regions you visit the most. This data is cached and is then available even if you're offline and even if you haven't looked up that part of town in Maps before.

While the technology has just been introduced to Android devices, you can be sure that it will be available on other devices soon, the iPhone seems like a sure bet, and very likely in the web versions of Google Maps, both the desktop and mobile ones.