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First look: Apple's all-new Maps in iOS 6

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The release of iOS 6 later this year will mark a major shift for Apple away from Google Maps to its own in-house mapping solution, complete with 3D recreations of cities, turn-by-turn directions and crowd-sourced traffic data.

Developers can get a first taste of the new Maps application in iOS 6 with the beta issued by Apple on Monday following the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote presentation.

The new 3D mapping technology found in the updated Maps application is not yet active in all cities. However, it can be tested with Cupertino, Calif., which is where Apple's corporate headquarters is located.

Turn-by-turn navigation with the new iOS 6 Maps application features a user interface that mimics freeway road signs, telling users where to turn. Directions can also be prompted using Siri.

Copyright data found in iOS 6 reveals that Apple has partnered with prominent GPS maker TomTom for its turn-by-turn directions in the new Maps application.

Apple's new Maps also offers integration with Yelp, which provides user-submitted reviews for virtually all stores, restaurants and other businesses in the U.S.

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58 Comments

ny3ranger 16 Years · 77 comments

What I hate most about maps is that you have to keep paying to update it. Car nav and dedicated units. Even ios apps. You get the app but then have to keep paying for updated maps. I am hoping apples maps are updated quickly when new roads appear or construction work makes detours for streets, etc. And most likely this is going to be free of charge with the purchase of apple hardware.

jason98 14 Years · 768 comments

What a bummer they left the new maps out of reach for iPhone 4 owners. 

davemcm76 13 Years · 268 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by ny3ranger 

What I hate most about maps is that you have to keep paying to update it. Car nav and dedicated units. Even ios apps. You get the app but then have to keep paying for updated maps. 

 

Not sure which you are using, but I've got the TomTom UK iOS app and I get map updates included free with every app update...

 

They have to do it this way unless they want to release a new app per map update as otherwise people buying the app new would be on outdated maps... 

cpr1 13 Years · 41 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by jason98 

What a bummer they left the new maps out of reach for iPhone 4 owners. 

Was that info in another thread?  I didn't see that in the AI article.

djames4242 14 Years · 654 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by jason98 

What a bummer they left the new maps out of reach for iPhone 4 owners. 

 

Yeah, I don't get that either... Perhaps the flyover was too intensive for the CPU/GPU in the 4, but turn-by-turn? That seems like an arbitrary limitation. Pretty sure even the original iPhone would have been able to handle that.