A conference at the Google i/o conference in San Francisco on Wednesday previewed the next thing in Google Maps. It seems Google Maps is going for the more personal feel, with news features displaying real time accidents and personalised information.

The next version of maps will be customised to the user. Ensuring the information dislayed is relevant to that person. If the user clicks on a restaurant, a box will appear that will show reviews of the restaurant from Zagat (an American restaurant review and guide ratings site) and your friends. With increased use of the maps, Google is able to supply the user with recommendations that are suited to the user. There will also be the chance to receive a discounts when searching for certain coffee shops, restaurants etc.

The navigation system on Google Maps has always been impressive even when providing an alternative route for public transport, but now it will offer an even better navigation system finding the fastest and most efficient route for the user in real time. And if you cannot decide what method of transport to use, Maps will provide a ‘schedule viewer’. This way you have all the possible options at your fingertiops making your choice of transport much easier.

The new version will even be your personal traffic reader, alerting you to accidents and automatically providing a different route, avoiding any traffic slowing incidents.

Text will not be as present in the next version, with the map filling the page. According to CNN:

The redesigned Maps will let Google’s sleek-looking maps and vast library of photos shine. Text takes a back seat in this version. Images from street view, user-submitted photos and fun Google projects like underwater view and interior 3-D tours are all highlighted, while map itself fills the page.

Lastly, Google Maps will have a feature enabling the user to zoom out all the way to see the Earth floating in space. Users will be able to see the cloud cover as well as the stars and sun’s position in real time.

These improvements are set to be made available over the next few months.

[Source: CNN News, YouTube]