Google responds to complaints; Maps for Android finally gets offline Maps button

It was exciting to note that Google had finally updated its Maps app with a brand new interface and new features, it was even more exciting to use it; that is until realisation dawned that the Internet giant made it difficult to use the one major feature it had – offline maps. Within a couple of days of the release, Google has hurriedly issued an update to address this matter.

In a Google+ post announcing the update, the Maps team wrote that it was happy to hear that the new update was being accepted well but was also hearing users who had complained about the lack of an easy way to access maps offline. The Maps app now has a “Make this map area available offline” card below the search box for easier access for times you need to whip the map out fast. The team wrote that this can work even as you type “OK Maps”.

Offline button finally comes to Maps for Android

Google Maps has also added the “Where’s Latitude” link at the bottom of the side menu which will provide you with more information about the “future of location sharing”. Essentially, Google will be providing more information about its location-sharing feature it is planning to kill off on August 9 this year.

The update rolled out by Google for devices running Android version 4.0.3 and up overhauled the Maps design and interface completely. The design is similar to what Google Maps for iOS had since December last year.

The offline-Maps update will be rolling out slowly the world over, so if you haven’t seen an update in the Google Play Store yet, you will need to wait it out a while.