Google Maps beta is finally available for general users.
All you need to do is sign up on Google Play.
Users will receive pre-release beta builds of Google Maps.
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.
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