14 DAY TRIAL // The upcoming Windows 10 Redstone 3 update due in September is projected to bring a visual overhaul to the operating system, but also to Microsoft’s own apps published in the Store, all part of a new effort called Project NEON.
With the focus on blur and transparency, but also on some other new animations that have already been spotted on the desktop, Project NEON is supposed to make Windows 10 a more eye-candy operating system, without reducing the focus on productivity and speed.
The latest update to the Windows Maps app brings some Project NEON tweaks as well, after several other apps received them too, including here Groove Music and Movies & TV.
Blur effect on Windows phones
Just like was the case of the previous updates, the new Windows Maps version comes with the blur effect instead of the solid color, and the first place you’ll notice it is the search box. Whenever you type something in the Windows Maps app search box, the suggestions are displayed in a list that uses a blur effect similar to what we’ve seen in Groove Music.
On smartphones (yes, Microsoft is bringing Project NEON on Windows 10 Mobile devices as well, despite the recent bad news and forecasts about the end of the platform), the latest version of Windows Maps comes with the same blur effect in many more menus, including settings and view options.
Without a doubt, this is quite a nice touch in terms of visual improvements for the Windows Maps app, and in case you’re not seeing the changes just yet, you need to wait a little bit longer until Microsoft makes them available for everyone. The version that you must be running is 5.1705.1162.0.
Windows 10 Redstone 3, which should bring the full and final version of Project NEON, is projected to launch in September, but insiders will get all the improvements gradually as part of the preview program.