Microsoft seems intent on keeping Windows 10 for mobile as competitive as possible, as the tech giant has announced a series of updates for Windows 10 Maps. The upgrades were first teased earlier this week through Reddit, where the firm referred to an "exciting update" for the mobile system's native navigation app.
The timing of Windows 10 Maps' upgrade is quite notable, since Here, a popular navigation app for Windows Phone users, would not be supported by Microsoft's Windows 10 mobile devices starting March 29. Thus, it is extremely pertinent for Microsoft to offer consumers a viable alternative.
The update to Windows 10 Maps is in no way superficial, as well, as Microsoft has made it a point to address several of the most prominent concerns that users have pointed out over the past few months. Among them, of course, would be an improved driver UI and the ability of the app to display multiple search results on the same map.
Favorite spots that are tagged by users would also be visible offline, and turn-by-turn instructions for drivers have also been improved. Windows Maps product marketing manager Kushal Kapoor emphasized the convenience that the upgrades would give to the app's users.
"As an example, now you can see search results for Hotels and search results for Restaurants in the same area easily. Planning a trip or a night out in the town and sharing with family and friends just got a lot easier. You can also view multiple searches and directions at the same time layered on top of each other or use tabs to switch between views," he said.
Kapoor further stated that much of the changes Microsoft initiated with the Windows 10 Maps app were done as a direct response to the concerns of the system's users. Thus, the interface of the new version of Windows 10 Maps has been redesigned, with navigation options being moved to the left on desktop and navigation options being moved to the bottom for users utilizing mobile devices.
"For the phone, this directly improves the experience when using your device with one hand, especially when getting directions or opening your favorites with a single tap. Moving navigation to the bottom of the phone is just one of the great ways Insider feedback is helping us improve the experience for all Windows 10 Map app users," Kapoor said.
Of course, being an upgrade navigation app, Windows 10 Maps would now be able to integrate Microsoft's assistant, Cortana. With the upgrade, drivers would be able to travel with Cortana giving turn-by-turn directions in real-time.
At least, for now, the updates to Windows 10 Maps are set to become available for Windows Insiders first. While there has been no official word on a widespread release of the update as of writing, it is expected that Microsoft would be rolling out the full, updated version of Windows 10 Maps within the next few weeks.
