Screenshots featuring a new-look web version of Google Maps appear to have been leaked. Could this be one of the announcements at Google I/O next week?
The Google Operating System blog has revealed pictures that appear to highlight a number of new features and design alterations for the popular web-based mapping tool.
Most notable among these is the lack of a sidebar. Where currently any additional information about a location would appear in this clearly defined section of the screen, here the information is displayed in a window overlaying the full-screen map.
This focus on the map ahead of the interface should suit smaller laptops and even the iPad, which continues to lack a dedicated Google Maps app.
The pictures also appear to confirm that Google has updated Google Maps's colours, icons, and fonts. It's a complete redesign, essentially.
It's not just a visual spruce up either. One of the new features seemingly revealed by these leaked screenshots is the ability to view locations recommended by your Google circles.
If you're interested in the wider effect the popularity of Google Maps is having on the tech industry, you can read about how Google Maps will force Apple to collaborate here.
