Hi Justin,
Thank you for the reply. Unless I am missing the true intention of this new design, these are a few end-user design / usability challenges I see:
1) Screen real-estate and element positional shift. Almost a quarter of the desktop space is now consumed by this new Info action region. As such, the map isn't centered. Splash screens, etc. are all moved. This effects usability due to the uncomfortable alignment and awkwardness of a each map now that they are shifted to an unexpected (un-centered) position.
2) This now requires users to perform an additional click (to hide it) and get to the information they are actually after when selecting a map from Hub.
3) The Info action region is disassociated and feels out of place in look, feel and purpose for a public map Hub. It does not by default show supporting information specific to the map a user selects (without somehow configuring it additionally first). Guessing the purpose is to replace a traditional splash screen?
4) In my experience, public map users want less, not more. Hubs is powerful because we can created subject specific apps that get to the point with as few clicks as possible and as much subject specific design as possible (no extra fluff). For us, this app design approach leads to better overall adaptation and usability.
***POSSIBLE FIX??*** After troubleshooting, I think our solution will be to have each app open in a new tab. This is very unfortunate because it takes away from the purpose of a true Hub. However, it seems to work. I guess we will have to go this route until (fingers crossed) this is fixed, as we can not have this odd Info Action region appear every time the public wants to use a map.
