Apple Maps’ beta launch on the web brings the familiar iOS and macOS navigation experience to a broader audience. The web-based version allows users to access Apple Maps directly through their browsers, offering functionalities like searching for locations, getting directions, and exploring maps without needing an Apple device.
Key Features
1. Look Around: One of the standout features is Look Around, which provides high-resolution, interactive 3D street views. This feature is comparable to Google Maps’ Street View but boasts smoother transitions and more detailed imagery. Look Around allows users to virtually navigate through cities, making it easier to explore unfamiliar areas.
2. Detailed 3D City Views: Apple Maps now offers highly detailed 3D views of major cities, enhancing the visual experience for users. This feature, known as Flyover, allows users to explore cities from an aerial perspective with realistic, photorealistic visuals. Currently, this feature is available in cities like London, Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco, with more locations to be added.
3. Enhanced Navigation: The web version includes comprehensive navigation options, including driving, walking, cycling, and public transit directions. These features are designed to provide accurate and efficient routes with real-time traffic updates and ETA estimates.
Exploring Look Around
Look Around is one of the most significant additions to Apple Maps, providing users with an immersive street-level experience. The feature captures high-resolution images using vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras, offering a seamless and interactive way to explore cities. Currently, Look Around is available in select regions, including parts of California, Nevada, and Hawaii, with plans to expand to more locations globally.
While both Look Around and Google Street View aim to provide similar functionalities, Look Around distinguishes itself with smoother transitions and higher quality images. This visual advantage makes navigating through streets and exploring points of interest more enjoyable and less disjointed compared to Google Street View’s sometimes choppy movement.
Apple has ambitious plans to expand the availability and functionality of Apple Maps. In recent years, Apple Maps cars have been spotted in various new regions, including parts of Brazil, India, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates. These efforts indicate a commitment to continuously improve and extend the service’s coverage.
Apple Maps is designed with a strong emphasis on user privacy. Unlike other mapping services that may require account sign-ins and track user data, Apple Maps operates with on-device intelligence to provide personalized features. Data collected by the app is anonymized, and location searches are fuzzed to ensure user privacy is maintained. This commitment to privacy is a significant selling point for Apple Maps, especially for users concerned about their data security.
Whether you are planning a trip, exploring a new city, or simply navigating daily commutes, Apple Maps on the web offers a reliable and visually engaging tool to help you get around.
