The trick to making a great app is to make it usable. Intuitive navigation can add a lot to the user experience, and Google Maps has this. However, according to 9To5Google (via Android Police), a new swipe gesture in Google Maps will make it just a bit less intuitive.
If you wanted to use Google Maps without the search bar and other UI elements, you’d only need to tap on the screen. This would give you a clean interface to look through. If you wanted to place a pin, you’d just need to tap and hold on an empty spot on the map. That’s how it’s been for years, but Google is making a small tweak that might inconvenience some people.
Google brings a new swipe gesture for Google Maps
The company has been testing this new change out since February, and people are starting to see it. When you’re using Google Maps, instead of tapping on the screen, you’ll need to swipe up on the search bar to clear out the UI. That’s not the hardest gesture to perform, but it brings unnecessary hand gymnastics into the equation. It involves you reaching up to the top of the screen to perform this.
Now, if you tap on the screen, the app will drop a pin. So, people will open the app and start dropping pins thinking that they’re going to clear the interface. However, Google does show a little notification telling you about the new gesture.
It’s weird that Google chose to do this. There didn’t seem to be a problem with the old method. You were able to clear the screen and drop pins without changing your grip on the phone. This won’t particularly break the Google Maps experience, it will be a bit of an inconvenience.
In any case, if you don’t see this change, Google is still rolling it out. It should reach your device soon.The post This small change could make Google Maps a little less intuitive appeared first on Android Headlines.

Source: ndroidheadlines.com