Google Maps Platform is a set of mapping solution APIs and SDKs that allows developers to embed Google Maps into mobile tools, apps, and web pages, or to retrieve data from Google Maps. Depending on your needs, you may find yourself using one or a combination of these APIs and SDKs.

These changes aim to make Google Maps feel less cluttered and more intuitive, especially on smaller screens. The streamlined layout is also expected to improve one-handed usability on mobile devices.

Google owns both mapping apps as they acquired Waze in 2013 but kept it as a separate app with separate developers that focused on different features. While both apps provide the same basic functionality and utility, significant differences may appeal to you based on how you use a mapping app.

While Google my maps is primarily designed for creating and sharing custom maps, it does not provide built-in navigation features like the Google Maps app.