Google Maps Beta for Android Now Available to All via Google Play

Google has been working on making it easier for users to sign up for beta Android app for a while now, with the first major announcement that allowed developers to offer beta access via Google Play made back in June last year. The company in May made it even easier for users to sign up, and also opt out of beta testing. However, the Google's own apps till date haven't yet offered beta access via Google Play.

That has changed this week, with the access to the Google Maps beta app now available to Android users via Google Play. Currently, users have access to version 9.27, which doesn't appear to have any major changes from last week's 9.26.1 release. To sign up for beta testing of the app, which will allow users to get future pre-release builds with as-yet-unreleased features, you'll need to visit this Google Play page. Those who want to try v9.27 without signing up for the beta can sideload the Google-signed apk via APK Mirror.

To recall, Google last month made signing up for app betas via Google Play even easier than before with the release of the Play Store v6.7 app. Users can now join and leave betas from the app listing page, leave beta feedback, see beta testing status right at the top of the app listing, and also be notified if app hasn't yet been released publicly yet. Users may still be required to join the relevant Google+ community before signing up, but it's up to the developer to make this mandatory. The beta feedback goes directly to the developer and is not made public for everyone to see.

As for the last Google Maps update - v9.26.1 - it brought several new features, but officially just one - users can now search along the route in bicycling and walking navigation. Other changes discovered (via Android Police) include changes to Driving Mode FABs; notifications for new and popular places; a shortcut to 'OK Google' settings, and the ability to change icon via the Your Places screen.