Google has launched a new Google Maps Go app on its Play Store. As the name would suggest, this is a lightweight version of the main app and is meant for use with the Go Edition of Android Oreo. This version of Android was unveiled in India earlier this month. Google Maps Go seems more like a progressive web app, accessed through an icon.
The description of the app on the Play Store states, “Google Maps Go, the lighter version of the original Google Maps app. Designed to run smoothly on devices with limited memory and on unreliable networks without compromising speed to provide your location, real-time traffic updates, directions, and train, bus, and city transit information. You can even search and find information about millions of places, such as phone numbers and addresses.”
Google notes that the app is available in over 70 languages and offers “comprehensive, accurate maps in 200 countries and territories.” Further, the app also offers transit and business information.
Google Maps isn’t the only app to get a special ‘Go’ edition. Google is also working on a lightweight version of the YouTube app. Aptly called YouTube Go, the app is currently available as an unreleased beta. Furthermore, Google also announced the launch of Files Go, a lightweight file manager meant to run on devices with low memory.
Android Go itself is designed to run on smartphones with RAM as low as 1GB. The company is aiming it at developing markets, like India, where low cost 4G devices are burgeoning.