What you need to know
- Google Maps has quietly introduced a new look for the Shared Location Pin.
- The icon now removes the white border around your contact’s avatar for a cleaner design.
- It appears to be reaching users gradually via a server-side update.
Google Maps users who frequently use the app to track the combined location of their family members will soon notice a cool new feature code update. This is due to a slight change made by Google to the Navigation app’s shared location pin.
As I spotted it Android Police (Opens in a new tab)Maps’ shared location icon is now a more refined look that fits in with the rest of the app’s design. The pin icon now displays your contact’s profile picture without a white border, which is a slight change from its previous look.
Since the white border is gone, viewing a contact’s avatar becomes much easier without staring. It improves the visibility of the participating party’s profile picture and makes the feature more consistent with the overall Maps aesthetics.
The ability to share your location in Maps is one of its most useful features, so it makes sense that Google is paying some attention as well. However, the recent design change is a bit weird as the white border appears again when you click on a contact’s name.
This is the latest modification made by Google to Maps in recent memory. Since June, the search giant has pushed a series of updates to the app, including the ability to display an Air Quality Index (AQI) based on data from the Environmental Protection Agency and PurpleAir. Maps also recently began showing traffic price estimates for nearly 2,000 toll roads in select countries. Recently, it was discovered that the latest beta version of Maps includes new features that will show an energy-efficient route for electric and hybrid vehicles.
However, the new update does not bring with it any significant functional changes. And just like what Google does with features like these, it looks like the new look is being rolled out via a server-side update.