Google has just unveiled their new, refreshed Maps 5.0 app for Android, launching soon. What's new about it? Well, it renders buildings in 3D, loads faster, works offline and will automatically rotate the map according to the phone's compass.
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Thanks to the small file size and scalability of the new dynamically drawn vector graphics in Maps, the app now renders in realtime, and maps download about 100 times less data—which leads to faster load times and super smooth zooming. (Previously, maps were downloaded as a bunch of tiles and zooming was more of a "snap to" experience.) The new 3D building models will start to appear as you get down to the street view level, and you can even tilt the map using a two-finger swipe gesture, altering the map's vertical orientation to offer a sense of a building's height. Imagine popping out of the subway in NYC and instantly recognizing where you're at by checking out the buildings around you in 3D. 100 cities, like New York, will be supported from the outset.
Google Maps for Android Now Faster, Smoother, in 3D and Works Offline [Google] (http://gizmodo.com/5707782/googles-android-maps-app-will-load-faster-work-offline-and-play-nicely-with-the-compass)