14 DAY TRIAL // Maps is one of the most popular Google applications, and for this reason, it’s no wonder the company pays extra attention to it. Google Maps will be receiving a new update with lots of useful goodies, especially the option to save offline maps to microSD storage, but you’ll also notice some visual changes and features.
Google has started rolling out a new update to Google Maps, making this application the first to be installable on the Android N Developer Preview. Version 9.31 brings some design changes as well as the option to save offline maps to SD storage.
Offline mode is one of the biggest modifications that Google Maps brings to its users, since it allows them to save maps to their SD storage. This feature is extremely helpful for routes that include areas with poor cellular coverage.
Useless to say, users who own a smartphone with really limited internal storage will be really glad to know that they can save offline maps on SD cards. The feature isn’t live yet but has been discovered during a teardown of the APK, performed by Android Police.
Google Maps version 9.31 comes with visual changes
These aren’t the only changes that Google Maps brings, as Google has also fixed the issue that Maps had with Android Auto. Apparently, Google Maps for Android N Developer Preview used to crash on Android Auto.
Google has also reintroduced Maps to Android Wear devices for Android N Developer Preview 4. The timeline section has also gotten some visual changes, as the title bar has become taller and now includes some new parts. Then, the month/year dropdown has been completely removed, together with the date and day of the week.
Google has added a new edit button inside the application that opens a screen where users can add a title and write notes.
The new version has already started rolling out, but users who simply can't wait for the update can download the APK.