While Google Maps has long been a standard stand-by for travelers who need assistance with navigation from their smartphones, there is now a challenger. Apple Maps was officially launched last week at the Worldwide Developers Conference in California.
According to the Huffington Post, "Google has long dominated Apple in Maps but has done little to exploit that advantage. That 'low-hanging fruit,' as Jon Gruber called it, appears to have been eliminated with this update." There are more in-depth details about the new app here, but here's what you need to know, Cliff's Notes-style:
1) Details, details, details
The new app shows details like parks and bodies of water on the map along with cities and main streets. There's also a three-dimensional model that gives you a bird's eye view of your location. Maps and views are also clearly labeled and, according to the technologicially knowledgable people who have a better grasp of things like this than your average travel writer, the font is better.
2) Integration
This application being made by Apple means that it's integrated with other Apple features. For example, you can interrupt your turn-by-turn navigation, if necessary, to ask Siri where the closest gas station is. Moreover, "Apple has incorporated more than 100 million business listings so users can easily search for establishments in their area. Each listing is well populated with business information ranging from the type of venue to the business hours. Yelp reviews are also fully integrated into the app so users can see the business rating and read reviews." A map application that's also part browser? Not bad, Apple. Not bad.
3) Navigation
As previously mentioned, users can get turn-by-turn directions to their destination. There are other options, as well. Users can choose to view their entire route at a glance, with other, optional routes included or they can drive a virtual car alongside translucent buildings in a 3D turn-by-turn navigation simulation. These directions can show up on the lockscreen of an iphone, which will be safer for drivers. Additionally, the app regularly updates your expected arrival time as conditions change. Traffic is monitored in real-time for up-to-date accuracy, and in fact, drivers are made aware of construction, congestion, and accidents through different symbols. Traffic slowdowns are shown as red bars, while construction and reported accidents are shown via icons. Moreover, a re-route option notification pops up onto the screen when applicable.
It seems that when it comes to map apps, Apple is blazing a new trail.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
