Google U-Turn Over Offline Maps Decision

Google has performed a rapid about-face with its new Android Google Maps app, just hours after announcing the latest version would no longer include the ability to use the maps offline.

Early on 11 July, Google responded to user complaints about the offline maps omission and announced that it would again add the feature to the latest Maps app, beginning immediately.

User Feedback

“Based on user feedback on offline maps, we pushed an update late last night to the new Google Maps app for Android,” a Google spokesman told eWEEK in an email.

Google also posted a Google+ announcement about its response.

“We’ve been happy to hear so many of you enjoying the interface and features of the new Google Maps app for Android, but we know some of you are missing an easy way to access maps offline,” the post states. “That’s why our engineering team has been working around the clock to add a ‘Make this map area available offline’ card below the search box for easier access. And, if you still want some #thumbercise, typing ‘ok maps’ will work too!”

The new version, featuring the reintroduced offline maps capabilities, will begin rolling out globally today, the company said.

Google had announced 10 July that the new Maps app for Android is getting a new “explore” option that allows users to visually browse and discover new places without typing. Instead, users can tap the search box, and they’ll see pop-up “cards” that display nearby places to eat, drink, sleep and shop. In addition, users will get enhanced capabilities that can help them navigate around traffic, with traffic details that can describe what is happening on nearby roads.

At the same time, though, the 10 July announcement also slated several Maps features for a demise, including the offline maps and the Latitude and check-ins features.

They were to be being replaced with location sharing and check-ins to Google+ for Android (coming soon to iOS) to provide similar services, the post stated. Google had told users in the 10 July post that they could still access offline maps by entering “OK Maps” into the search box when viewing the area where they were travelling. In addition, that post stated, “My Maps” functionality was also removed in the new app but it is slated for return to future versions of the app.

Users were critical of the moves on the Google+ page and Google apparently listened to the feedback. Users were just as happy about the company’s change of heart and thanked Google after it announced the turnaround.

That initial feedback caused Google to change its course, the company spokesman told eWEEK in a follow-up conversation. “After seeing some of the comments and reactions of users around the world who were missing the offline functionality, our engineering team worked around the clock to develop an easier way to cache a map for offline use,” the spokesman stated.

Google Maps On Android

The new Google Maps for Android builds on the design the company introduced for the iPhone last December and improves on it with a few useful search and navigation features, according to the company. The new version is the first dedicated app for Android tablets and iPads. The new app will run on Android devices with Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean versions of the operating system. The Apple version will support iOS 6+ when it is available in the future.