Google is renewing their Maps design and adding some impressive new features. Check out the videos below to see how Google managed to make Maps even more user friendly.

Like what you see? You can request a preview of the new Google Maps.

source: Google Maps Preview and The Verge

If a user does not have or want to upload a profile image, LayerVault let’s users create a custom and unique default profile image with a fun to use Kaleidoscope tool. This is a very unique and fun way to solve a difficult problem. Kudos to the Layer Vault team!

New Google+ UI is a great inspiration to carefully thought through and designed transition effects which makes the elements very pleasant to use. Try adding different types of entries as an example.

While commuting I read a lot of blog posts of my favourite websites on my phone. I notice that an increasing number of blogs are overlooking a major usability issue with overlays.

The Visual Website Optimizer blog, for example, has an overlay on the far left of their website. On the desktop this is excellent and no problem. However when reading their blog posts from the LinkedIn app, the overlay is blocking my view the whole time. Oops.

We all know the frustration of boiling down a twitter post to the required 120 characters or less. Twitter now makes it easier by highlighting in red the characters that are over the limit. This subtle hint helps you to visuals how many characters you need to get rid of.