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Apple Maps overhaul includes time-based directions, more detailed maps

Apple is overhauling Apple Maps with a range of new features, including more detailed maps, time-specific navigation, and improvements to transit directions.

For example, the company in iOS 15 is adding a new feature that will let users get directions based on when they want to leave or arrive at a destination. This allows for estimated travel times based on traffic conditions.

Additionally, Apple has also revamped the transit map with new key bus routes. Users will be able to more easily interact with their current route, and may receive a notification when they are close to their destination.

Apple has also added a new interactive globe that's akin to Google Earth and "detailed city experiences" that allow users to explore cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and London with new details on elevation, trees, landmarks, and more.

Apple Maps has also been updated with new augmented reality-based directions for turn-by-turn navigation when on foot. Driving directions have been improved with easier-to-see details about traffic, incidents, and road features like turn lanes and medians.

Search in Apple Maps has also been improved, and the company has redesigned its place cards to make it easier to find important information about businesses, cities, and physical features such as mountain ranges.

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16 Comments

gerard 12 Years · 83 comments

This reminds me of flyover; except this time it’s done right and appears useful. 

3 Likes · 0 Dislikes
slurpy 16 Years · 5390 comments

Pretty crazy how Apple Maps has outclassed Google maps in many capacities (note I didn't say EVERY capacity - but many) in such a short amount of time, while this is one of Google's key products and they had a massive head start. Google maps still has a POI advantage, but in my usage Apple maps is superior in every single other category. Usability, performance, map quality, aesthetics, sound quality, interface, smoothness of turn by turn, etc. I rely on it daily and I can't remember the last time it failed me. Very impressive work. The new in-house mapping data Apple now uses is gonna pay massive dividends. 

12 Likes · 0 Dislikes
CheeseFreeze 8 Years · 1343 comments

slurpy said:
Pretty crazy how Apple Maps has outclassed Google maps in many capacities (note I didn't say EVERY capacity - but many) in such a short amount of time, while this is one of Google's key products and they had a massive head start. Google maps still has a POI advantage, but in my usage Apple maps is superior in every single other category. Usability, performance, map quality, aesthetics, sound quality, interface, smoothness of turn by turn, etc. I rely on it daily and I can't remember the last time it failed me. Very impressive work. The new in-house mapping data Apple now uses is gonna pay massive dividends. 

Reality check: that may be the case in the USA, but Apple Maps is terrible in Northern Europe vs Google.
Way less traffic & company information, their Streetview equivalent being absent expect one or two major cities, poor navigation, et cetera.

All these shiny features you mentioned are useless if the data isn’t there. With Google Maps I still get the data even when I’m in shit-town, nowhere.

We see similar issues with the lack of HomePod availability, Apple Watch cellular, et cetera. Not everyone in the world is a chai latte drinking hipster trying to get the next cable car in San Francisco.

7 Likes · 0 Dislikes
entropys 14 Years · 4326 comments

Yes, considering Google maps is already there as an example, the roll out of features is quite glacial.  

By the time the feature becomes available, imagery is out of date and Apple needs to think about starting again.

2 Likes · 0 Dislikes
mdlall 9 Years · 2 comments

They still did not add waypoints or multi-stop routes. This is very important for people who want to plan a trip. I remember way back when Microsoft Streets and Trips had all of those features. And where was CarPlay? A whole year has passed and not a mention of a single enhancement to a major product. 

6 Likes · 0 Dislikes