Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Google Maps redesigns its iconic location pin and adds a cheeky auto icon

To mark its 15th anniversary, Google Maps has rolled out a new version of its pin marker and added a party car graphic for drivers.

The new incarnation of the pin - a feature that helps users mark a place on Google Maps - is patterned with Google's four brand colours of blue, red, yellow, and green.

Moreover, while navigating on the road, drivers using Google Maps will find that a celebratory vehicle icon, also sporting the Google colour scheme, will pop up. This feature will be in use until 9 February.

Google Maps has come a long way since its original February 2005 debut in the district of Newton in Sydney, Australia. That same year, the tech giant launched Google Earth, a 3D representation of the earth. Major milestones along the way for Google Maps have included its real-time traffic and street view tools which were rolled out in 2007. Currently, its street view imagery covers more than 16 million kilometres of roads and paths around the world.

Google Maps in 2005

The Google Maps service came to Hong Kong in July 2008, with the street view function launch for both Hong Kong and Macau following in October 2009.

Google Maps has evolved greatly over the years. In 2012, the platform introduced voice navigation functionality in Hong Kong, providing driving and walking hints and directions in Cantonese.

Two years later, Google Street View Trekker - a function that captures the most beautiful scenery around the world - was launched in Hong Kong. Currently, this function features 31 hiking trails and fitness trails, including Dragon's Back, the Tung O Ancient Trail, the MacLehose Trail, four reservoirs, five islands, two featured attractions (Beas River Equestrian Centre, and Stanley Market), and 30 outing attractions in Hong Kong.

A Google Street View Trekker staff member in the field.

Other features include the 2014 launch of The Time Machine feature (allowing users to review the development of areas) and the 2016 introduction of Google 360 views, as the company sent its street view car to drive around Hong Kong, gathering 360-degree images in visually stunning areas like Mui Wo, Ngong Ping, and Pui O.

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