Roger Fingas
Drivers using Apple Maps in iOS 9 will have the benefit of explicit traffic and construction warnings, including voice turn-by-turn suggestions for alternate routes, according to information shared with AppleInsider.
Reader Nick noted that on a recent road trip using an iPhone with the iOS 9 beta, Siri interrupted with warning that there was "heavy traffic ahead," and suggested a specific exit to avoid it. Later, Siri again warned about "roadwork ahead, with no traffic" while driving in Cleveland.
The new construction warnings, at least, are accompanied by on-screen banners that indicate where the work is taking place and how far away it is.
The iOS 8 version of Maps does incorporate traffic data, including alternate routes and details on the causes of backups, but the information is limited to route creation and estimating arrival times.
Maps will come with a variety of improvements when it launches alongside iOS 9 this fall, the most requested being a return of public transit directions. Transit data was once a staple of the app, but support disappeared in iOS 6 when Apple moved away from Google Maps for its own in-house mapping solution. Transit guidance is one factor that has kept Google Maps popular on the App Store.
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36 Comments
Killer feature. Apple is treating Maps like it's in Beta, so expect awesome updates later this year.
They are catching up. We'll have to see how it compares to Waze routing though.
Talking of Siri, I was so hoping OS X 10.11 would finally bring Siri to Macs. Not for this purpose obviously! lol
Great. I'd love it if Apple incorporated some Waze-like features, such as accident, obstruction and speed trap reporting from users.
After using Waze for so many years, I guess I will have to give Apple Maps another chance. I like Waze for its ability to find the best route around traffic, which I thought was superior to both Apple Maps and Google Maps. Waze development seems to be increasingly focused on the social aspect, which is great for notifying one about traffic conditions and hazards, but otherwise is not important to me. Just get me from Point A to B the fastest way possible.