Google Maps is bring forth a colorful new update in the hail week , sum terrain and street - level coarseness to its UI that , after 15 years , was in desperate pauperization of a makeover .

To do this , Google ’s using computer imaginativeness to analyze landscape features in its extensive program library of planet imagery and add color - coding based on the terrain — sandy beaches and deserts in tan , snow-white heap tops in white , and flora in green , with the denser the forest or local plant life lifetime , the darker the shade — so that users can get a good idea of an area at a coup d’oeil without flip to a artificial satellite panorama . In ablog post Tuesday , Google say these more elaborated maps will be available in the 220 nation already supported by Google Maps , “ from the biggest metropolitan areas to small , rural towns . ” You should start seeing the update sometime this week as it rolls out internationally .

The company ’s planning to better Google Map details in more metropolitan area as well . Supported metropolis will show the precise material body and breadth of road to scale along with sidewalks , crossing , and pedestrian islands among other information to help users voyage the expanse . With so many people going stir crazy from being cooped up inside or trying to fend off the petri saucer of a crowded subway car or bus , urban center areseeing a boomin people bike and walking and as a result , more citizenry are using their phones to help them get around . Google also note that knowing where the nearest crossing or pavement is can be “ crucial information if you have accessibility needs ” such as have a wheelchair or stroller .

In this before and after shot, you can see more of Iceland’s natural features like forests and snowy mountain tops in the new Google Maps update.

In this before and after shot, you can see more of Iceland’s natural features like forests and snowy mountain tops in the new Google Maps update.Graphic: Google

These updated metropolis maps are limited to London , New York , and San Francisco initially and will roll out in the “ come months ” with plan to finally enlarge the feature to more city .

This makeover come up at a sentence when Google ’s condition as the de - facto navigation app has come under serious fire on Io and Mac . In recent age , Apple hasoverhauled its map appdesign and added functions to directly compete with Google Maps , such as its higher resolving answer to Street View , Look Around , and flashy features likescanning the skylineto better nail your position .

Google

In the update screenshot (right), Google Maps outlines crosswalks and sidewalks among other details.

In the update screenshot (right), Google Maps outlines crosswalks and sidewalks among other details.Graphic: Google

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