Google maps has been becoming worse over time. It used to show metro lines by default. Now, you have to turn that on as a layer. It used to show all the stations on those lines. Now, depending on zoom, it algorithmically decides that some aren't important enough to show. It also stopped showing things like station names and what stops there. So you can no longer use it as a transit map, and just glance at it for directions. The alternative is the far more tedious interaction of typing in your destination and waiting for the server to respond with step by step idiot-proof directions when all you actually needed was the line number.
But then it gets worse. Suppose the page is still loading. For some arcane reason, part of the interface loads, then the map, then the rest of the interface. If you can't find the navigation buttons for pan and zoom, they are exactly where you first looked they simply weren't displayed yet. The interface also used to make it easy to drop pins and measure distances. Just basic quality of life utility that a good online map should have.
How did gmaps get worse? If they did literally nothing it would be better. Someone came in at some point and decided "this isn't designed enough" and proceeded to hide or rip out features. Superficial minimalism. It's not simplification, it's reduction.
But then it gets worse. Suppose the page is still loading. For some arcane reason, part of the interface loads, then the map, then the rest of the interface. If you can't find the navigation buttons for pan and zoom, they are exactly where you first looked they simply weren't displayed yet. The interface also used to make it easy to drop pins and measure distances. Just basic quality of life utility that a good online map should have.
How did gmaps get worse? If they did literally nothing it would be better. Someone came in at some point and decided "this isn't designed enough" and proceeded to hide or rip out features. Superficial minimalism. It's not simplification, it's reduction.