Google Updates Google Maps for Android Smartphones, Tablets

From DailyTech: Google has rolled out some official updates for the Google Maps app for various smartphones and tablets running Android. The updates will also come soon to the iPhone and the iPad.

The new app updates build on the design released for the iPhone last December, and brings the retirement of Latitude and some changes to offline and My Maps.

“Explore” is designed to allow users to visually browse and discover new places without typing. All the user has to do is tap the search box and access cards showing the users places to eat, drink, sleep, and shop. The new app features enhanced navigation, showing things such as current traffic conditions and new features to navigate around traffic.

Those new features include reports of problems on the road along with incident details, and Google Maps will now alert users of the better route is available and makes rerouting faster. The alert and reroute feature is only available on Android at this time.

Zagat ratings and Google Offers are also now integrated into search results on Google Maps. Offers from national brands such as Macy's and others will be labeled right on your maps. Presumably that means if you're on a trip and you drive by a store that currently has a valid Offer, you'll be able to see it right on the map.

With the retirement of Latitude, users can still see friends and family on the map via the added location sharing and check-ins to Google+.

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