Google Maps 2.0

We love Google Maps. For a geographically challenged person like me, Google Maps is a must-have. But boy isn't it cluttered?!

I miss the days when the maps did only two things :
1. Show locations on Search
2. Show directions to the location

But after tons of updates and new feature releases, it has gotten a lot cluttered. We wanted to fix it - design-wise

We focussed on two important aspects for the redesign :

1. Reduce the amount of info shown on the home page to reduce cognitive overload on the user.
2. Put emphasis on three most important actions - search, locate and commute.
3. Always be conscious of the user's intent - which is to search for a place or commute to a place.

This is our first cut and we will keep refining this direction with more options and iterations.

What do you guys think?