Apple Maps has been providing travel tips for Apple fans for more than 13 and a half years, and a lot has changed with Apple Maps. But according to Canalys, Apple fans in America are still downloading Google Maps to use as an alternative. So which app is best?
Apple Maps was launched in September 2012 and received criticism from fans that the map information was incomplete. And there are errors. This has led some iPhone users down a dangerous path so often that Apple CEO Tim Cook issued a public apology and iOS chief Scott Forstall was fired a month later.
Since then, Apple Maps has received some major updates. By adding features and correcting incorrect information. It added real-time traffic information and pedestrian navigation options in 2013, the same year the Maps app expanded to OS X.
In 2015, there was the “Nearby” feature, which is another feature that helps add local tourist attractions in various regions and add public transportation routes in various cities as well. Until 2020, Apple has managed to complete a comprehensive overhaul of the map in America. By adding significantly more detail, including buildings, parks, playgrounds, swimming pools and much more, with the ability to view “look around” at that location, similar to Google's Street View.
With the arrival of the iOS 16 update, additional driving route details have been updated. It can display routes at multiple points at the same time. This was followed by an update to iOS 17 that allowed maps to be downloaded for offline use, which Google Maps has been able to do for some time.
But the question remains, are the improvements and updates made to Apple Maps enough to be on par with Google Maps today? Because Google developers have not been silent about the gradual development of Apple Maps.
Google has also rolled out several updates with advanced AI technology and a more realistic map visualization tool, “Road View,” which can provide a comprehensive preview of a user's journey.
Whether driving, walking or riding a bike, combined with Street View technology, it was launched last year. There is also a dynamic time slider to help with weather planning. Traveling is easier too.
Another important improvement is Lens in Maps. It's an evolution of Live View's search feature. Leveraging artificial intelligence and augmented reality, Lens in Maps helps users orient themselves to a new location by providing information about nearby amenities, such as ATMs, transit stations, and dining options. This feature has now been expanded to include more than 50 cities.
It can be said that Google Maps has a design that more closely reflects people's real lives. Including a more detailed and realistic view of the buildings. and highway lane routing that has been improved throughout. For those who use electric cars, there is also information about nearby charging stations.
In short, both features and with all the updates, Apple is still trying to compete in this field with Google to be on equal footing with each other. Although there is some criticism among users. Which is considered to have come a very long way from the first version that was launched back in the day.
Who likes to use which app to navigate the most/why? Or what kind of new features would you like to see developed for Apple Maps? You can share it under comments.
source – https://www.macrumors.com/2024/03/01/apple-maps-vs-google-maps/
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